"Oh, say can you see? By the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming;
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming.
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air.
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there:
Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave?
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"

"The Star-Spangled Banner." A song that expresses America's trial and tribulation with its lyrics written in 1814, becoming the official anthem in 1931. It has been sung by the likes of Fergie, Demi Lovato, Beyonce, and many other music artists. The famous song has also been sung by protesters that are tens of thousands of miles away. That's right. I'm talking about the Hong Kong protests. Since early June, the people of Hong Kong protested a proposed bill that would deport both residents and foreigners to mainland China, meaning that due process may not be a guarantee.

To get attention internationally, black-clad protesters flooded the Hong Kong International Airport. This strategy worked in their favor, with hundreds of flights being canceled and the Airport Authority canceling all operations. The highlight of the protests was when the demonstrators started to wave the American flag, which they have used to illuminate their distinct freedom. Foreign protesters waving the colors of red, white, and blue shows that the United States has international influence. Contrary to mainstream hype, America was founded by seeking independence from our former mother country and fighting tooth and nail to get that independence.

Another example of American excellence was that of a protester holding a sign that read, "We need the 2nd Amendment." Since Hong Kong citizens have no access to firearms, they will be vulnerable to China's repressive nature. Hong Kong citizens have noticed that tyranny is imminent in their homeland, so they're expressing their need in wanting to protect themselves. Despite some federal restrictions, we Americans can exercise our 2nd Amendment right in case of tyranny looming.

The people of Hong Kong singing our national anthem brought me a sense of pride for America, that our influence has reached overseas. Other countries look up to America when it comes to freedom of speech, expression, and, of course, the right to bear arms. When people in progressive cities like Seattle and Portland wave the Communist flag, I see people who are betraying our American way of life for a life where they will face starvation, extreme censorship, and other inhumane treatment. Hong Kong protesters bearing our colors should be a sign that the United States is indeed a superpower.