The Fond du Lac County Executive is coming under fire for using the official county Facebook page to make a political statement about the singing of the Black National Anthem at the Super Bowl. County Executive Sam Kaufman posted “Enough. ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ is a beautiful song and well written, but it is not the National Anthem. We have one national anthem ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ and I will always proudly stand when it is played,” Kaufman wrote. Responses on Facebook were swift calling Kaufman’s comments “racist and bigoted.” Another post said it was “inappropriate for a public official on an official page,” and that the purpose of the Facebook page is to “keep county residents informed.” Another post pointed out ”the song is known as the Black National Anthem, and is a Christian song, and that the month of February is Black History month.” The group United for Diversity issued a statement that strongly condemns “Kaufman’s divisive post.” The statement said Kaufman’s position runs counter to public appearances and posts Kaufman has made during Black History month. “Public officials including county executives should be mindful of their words and actions, as they have a significant impact on the community they serve,” according to the statement. The organization asks Kaufman to use his position and his official government social media ” to celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity in the community.” The group invited Kaufman and other elected officials to meet with the United for Diversity Board to discuss the need for inclusivity in the Fond du Lac community. Kaufman says he disagrees that the post was divisive, but admits he could have explained it better. He says he was approached a couple weeks before the Super Bowl asking if the song could be played at county events. “For me it is a beautiful hymn, but everytime I keep hearing it as the National Anthem, for me personally, it causes division,” Kaufman told WFDL news. Ebony Vision is the latest advocacy organization to publically criticize Kaufman. Ebony Vision says it ‘firmly denounces the inappropriate and divisive comment posted by the county executive.’
