“Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light…”, and you can continue from there. No other song in history has the ability to produce such strong emotions like the National Anthem of the United States can. When the music starts playing, for many, a since of patriotism arises as people arise from their seats to pay homage to those who have sworn to protect the “land of the free, and the home of the brave.” People from all different backgrounds come together, as one people, devoting their utmost attention as the Star Spangled Banner is presented and preformed. This song connotes unity; it births pride in every American… until now.
Written in 1814, by patriot Francis Scott Key, “The Star Spangled Banner” was a poem celebrating the victory of the American people over the British during the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812. For many decades after the war came to a resolve, this poem served as a reminder of grave sacrifice and that the price of independence is never too high to pay. Over 100 years later, in 1931, Congress took Key’s work and adopted it as the country’s national anthem, and thus adopting the message of freedom and liberty with it. Now, almost another 100 years later, this famous tune finds itself once again in the center of attention thanks to the actions of one man -- Colin Kaepernick.
In a preseason football game of the 2016 NFL season, Kaepernick (quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers) refused to stand during the playing of the National Anthem. While actions similar to his have been undergone by other athletes in the past; such as Tommie Smith, John Carlos, and Jackie Robinson; Kaepernick’s protest had a much greater impact. His actions immediately became focus of a national conversation. His actions made the country question whether or not our nation actually stands for equality or if we just stand for a performance by Lady Antebellum or Carrie Underwood. Colin Kaepernick puts it best when he states:
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
With all the tragic deaths and murders of people of color broadcasted in the news recently, it is hard to deny Kaepernick’s argument. How can we as a country rally behind something that is supposed to symbolize freedom is there is so much inequality in the streets today? How can we be the land of the free while boasting the world’s largest number of imprisoned felons? Seems a bit hypocritical.
All these concerns are valid and they truly are very difficult to dismiss; however, these questions do not unearth the root of the problem. Colin Kaepernick’s intentions for kneeling during the National Anthem could very well be justified and understood, but he (like many) misses the point. Protesting the Anthem does not solve any issues but rather creates a division in the American population. Those who stand now are condemning the lives of black citizens to the reality of inequality, while those who sit might be standing against racism but are turning their backs on patriotism.
With both cases, the message of the poem is lost. Yes, it represents freedom, but how can we so easily forget that it is to promote togetherness? We are to be One People and One Nation… this is the point of the anthem. It doesn’t matter if you protest it or salute it, what matters is that we realize what it truly is. It is a song that has caused people to stand arm and arm in defense of this great nation. It is a song that has celebrated great victory. It is a song that makes each and every one of us unify against inequality and proclaim that we are Americans and that alone is reason to stand.
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