A larger point concerning our National Anthem

[HomerJS]

This is a perfect example of why students should be taught US history fully not the whitewashed version. A lot of people are upset over Colin Kapernick refusing to stand for the National Anthem. He is protesting inequality in this country.

There is a bit of irony when people complain about the disrespect CK showing during the singing of the National Anthem. The irony is in the third verse of this song

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country, should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

The last half is clearly racist and advocates death for slaves who try to run away.

The larger point is the mlitary does not fight for the flag. The flag is a symbol for an ideal of liberty and freedom. Protesting conditions in this country are part of those rights. If you lived in Syria run by Assad or Russia run by Putin you would be subject to arrest or possibly killed.

 

[IronWing]

Those lines appear to be referring to the British soldiers retreating or falling in the battle.

 

[realibrad]

Nationalism, its a helluva drug.

 

[JSt0rm]

British soldiers were slaves? Fucked up if true.

Those lines appear to be referring to the British soldiers retreating or falling in the battle.

 

[Starbuck1975]

This is a perfect example of why students should be taught US history fully not the whitewashed version. A lot of people are upset over Colin Kapernick refusing to stand for the National Anthem. He is protesting inequality in this country.

There is a bit of irony when people complain about the disrespect CK showing during the singing of the National Anthem. The irony is in the third verse of this song

The last half is clearly racist and advocates death for slaves who try to run away.

The larger point is the mlitary does not fight for the flag. The flag is a symbol for an ideal of liberty and freedom. Protesting conditions in this country are part of those rights. If you lived in Syria run by Assad or Russia run by Putin you would be subject to arrest or possibly killed.

The first verse is the only one used commonly, and I doubt the majority of Americans even realize there are additional verses.

How about the last verse:

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation.
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

The verses I highlighted would lend credibility to those who argue the founding of America on Judeo-Christian traditions and principles, but I don't think it is reasonable to even suggest that the national anthem codifies anything other than national pride. Sometimes a song is just a song, reflective of the times at which it was written. Every American has the right to protest the flag, the National Anthem and everything in between. However, in doing so, you also have to recognize that many people honor and cherish both the flag and the anthem as symbolic of patriotism and the sacrifices made by those who defend and serve our nation. Nobody is whitewashing history. But in the spirit of freedom of speech, if someone chooses to protest the national anthem as symbolic of racism and inequality, others of us have just as much right to criticize that protest as misguided, attention whoring or disrespectful.

 

[HomerJS]

The first verse is the only one used commonly, and I doubt the majority of Americans even realize there are additional verses.

How about the last verse:

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation.
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

The verses I highlighted would lend credibility to those who argue the founding of America on Judeo-Christian traditions and principles, but I don't think it is reasonable to even suggest that the national anthem codifies anything other than national pride. Sometimes a song is just a song, reflective of the times at which it was written. Every American has the right to protest the flag, the National Anthem and everything in between. However, in doing so, you also have to recognize that many people honor and cherish both the flag and the anthem as symbolic of patriotism and the sacrifices made by those who defend and serve our nation. Nobody is whitewashing history. But in the spirit of freedom of speech, if someone chooses to protest the national anthem as symbolic of racism and inequality, others of us have just as much right to criticize that protest as misguided, attention whoring or disrespectful.

Absolutely. BTW - blacks being 3/5th of a human was reflective of the times during the creation of the Constitution but we were smart enough to realize the error and it was amended. Perhaps the same should apply to that 3rd verse.

 

[IronWing]

British soldiers were slaves? Fucked up if true.

In the rhetoric of the American Revolution, yes. In the context of the War of 1812, absolutely. Impressment was a primary cause for the Americans to go to war with the British.

Edit: Keep in mind that the poem wasn't written to be a national anthem, it was written to describe the poet's feelings about a single battle at the time of that battle.

 

[John Connor]

I don't know why this is such a big deal. It's his 1st Amendment right to be a grabass. If he wants to be a grabass let him.

 

[OutHouse]

The last half is clearly racist and advocates death for slaves who try to run away.

i was told it was about the slaves who fought for the brits during the 1812 war.

and besides that who gives a fuck. 99.9% of the country most likely has never heard the other verses or knew they even existed.

 

[1prophet]

Nationalism, its a helluva drug.

So say the globalists, since it tends to get in the way of multinational corporate profits.

 

[rudder]

When was the whole star spangled banner written? And when was the first stanza adopted as our national anthem? I dont recall the third stanza being a part of the national anthem. It was probably left out for brevity and because it was racist. But a lot of people were racist in the 1800's. Limited education and world view. The fact remains that this was written during a battle for our second independence as the British were not happy with the results of the first one. The fact that other stanzas exist does not cheapen the meaning of our national anthem.

 

[FerrelGeek]

He certainly has the right. But as many on this forum have pointed out in the past, exercising the right doesn't necessarily free one the consequences of exercising said right. The guy's a total has-been. He's probably doing this (in part) to keep from getting cut or to get more publicity if he does get cut. Maybe the Browns will pick him up after they destroy RG3.

I don't know why this is such a big deal. It's his 1st Amendment right to be a grabass. If he wants to be a grabass let him.

 

[glenn1]

He certainly has the right. But as many on this forum have pointed out in the past, exercising the right doesn't necessarily free one the consequences of exercising said right. The guy's a total has-been. He's probably doing this (in part) to keep from getting cut or to get more publicity if he does get cut. Maybe the Browns will pick him up after they destroy RG3.

Stand, sit, do whatever you like WRT the flag and anthem, that's what freedom is about.

Doing so when your job is on thin ice already and your employer is looking for reasons to cut you? Very brave, very foolish, or very YOLO, take your pick.

 

[cubby1223]

This is a perfect example of why students should be taught US history fully not the whitewashed version. A lot of people are upset over Colin Kapernick refusing to stand for the National Anthem. He is protesting inequality in this country.

There is a bit of irony when people complain about the disrespect CK showing during the singing of the National Anthem. The irony is in the third verse of this song

Please provide proof Colin Kapernick had any knowledge of such things prior to his desire to show the world his ego is more important than this country. Besides, I read that line and to me it says the British army was made up of hirelings and slaves, and those who are fighting against the U.S. will not win.


I say good day to you, sir, enjoy your manufactured anger. I'm sure you're enjoying life to the fullest being entrenched in all this internet outrage.

 

[cubby1223]

I mean, seriously HomerJS, do you truly believe that white people are "whitewashing" history and pretending slavery never happened? Seriously get a fucking grip on reality. People like you make me sad for the future of humanity...

Keep your inflated ego to yourself. No one is interested in it. It bores people to try and pay attention to you.

 

[cubby1223]

Stand, sit, do whatever you like WRT the flag and anthem, that's what freedom is about.

Doing so when your job is on thin ice already and your employer is looking for reasons to cut you? Very brave, very foolish, or very YOLO, take your pick.

Kapernick has riches making him far, far above even the 1% cutoff line in this country. When the rest of us lose our jobs, our financial security and ability to support ourselves and our families are in serious jeopardy. When Kapernick loses his job, so what? He moves on with his massive wealth to something new.

Sure there is a high likelihood he will be a fool and lose all his earnings and be broke very soon, but that's his own damn fault. But as for the threat of losing his job? Largely immaterial.

 

[cubby1223]

Absolutely. BTW - blacks being 3/5th of a human was reflective of the times...

I tend to consider you 3/5ths a normal poster on this forum. But it has nothing at all to do with your race (which I don't even know, I've never asked). It stems from the quality of your posts.