Since the beginning of this country we have always had a racial divide, both intentionally and unintentionally (so they say). At our sporting events we only sing the first two verses of our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner. A few fun facts about the tune we learn in elementary school; Francis Scott Key wrote it in 1814, after the War of 1812. Most people assume the "bombs bursting in air" are bombs from the Revolutionary War, but that's probably not the case. During the War of 1812, lots of slaves tried to escape to the British to help them fight against their oppressors, though slavery wouldn't end in England until 1833. Finally, the entire third verse of our national anthem is completely racist.
"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 wash’d out their foul footstep’s 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."
THIS is our national anthem. The theme song to our country. How are we supposed to treat our citizens of color as equals when we threaten to kill them for leaving a country that oppresses them?
Now in more recent events, athlete Colin Kaepernick has decided not to stand during the national anthem. This has sparked controversy by not only conservatives who are offended by the fact that veterans have died for this country, but also other liberals who are starting to realize how horrible our national anthem is. More and more athletes are siding with Kaepernik, as well as President Obama.
My take? I agree whole-heartedly with Kaepernick. Imagine being in a country where as a black person, you're still not equally as respected in the workforce, media, or in the eye of law enforcement. Why would you stand for an anthem that blatantly disrespects your race?
For those who say "people died for this country, have some respect", people have died for so many other causes too. Think about all of the Native Americans who were slaughtered during "manifest destiny", where is their tribute? What about all of the lynchings that took place not even 100 years ago? Where is your respect for their lives?
Personally, I believe it's time for a new anthem. The Star Spangled Banner only became our national anthem in 1931, 85 years ago. It's not too permanent to change, it's a song! Think about all of the composers of today, both classical and modern, coming together to write a new anthem that represents not only our history but how far we've come as a nation and all of our accomplishments. Plus, just saying, an anthem written by Beyoncé would be pretty cool.
To sum it all up, it's time for a change. We need to change this way of thinking that not standing up for a song is "un-American" when in reality, what's really un-American is the discrimination and police brutality that is STILL happening in this country today. A new anthem wouldn't solve our problems, but it would certainly cut some of the racist stitching that is woven into our American culture.
