`` Lift Every Voice and Sing '' was written by Timothy Askew in more than two decades . Marie said it was a matter of artistic expression , but critics viewed the lyrical switch as disrespect toward the national anthem , a lack of patriotism and an insinuation of racial division . The spiritual hymn is recognized as the `` black national anthem '' Negro Professor James Weldon Johnson claims a national anthem for only one race is racially divisive and separatist .
`` Lift Every Voice and Sing '' was written by Timothy Askew in more than two decades . The spiritual hymn is recognized as the `` black national anthem '' Negro Professor James Weldon Johnson claims a national anthem for only one race is racially divisive and separatist .