Colin Kaepernick explains why he sat during national anthem.
Sort of.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game.
Not many people in this country don’t strongly identify with a group of people or a principle that is wronged by local, state, and/or federal government. And I’m fine with all of them also refusing to stand in pride with a hand over their heart when “The Star Spangled Banner” is performed. The lyrics aren’t all that great anyway. Even if And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, are so apt for the hearts of Americans. And the melody wasn’t even ‘born in the USA.’
More depth to Kaepernick’s objection can be read in Shaun KING: Why I’ll never stand again for ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’. That’s fine as well. But all the verses to This Land is Your Land are rarely performed because some people also don’t like them.
What I very much dislike is having to stand for “The Star Spangled Banner” at events that are only public in the sense that anyone that can afford the price of the ticket can attend.
…
The Star-Spangled Banner is traditionally played at the beginning of public sports events and orchestral concerts in the United States, in addition to other public gatherings. …
Why does this tradition exist? Many traditions are quite nice and pleasant. Even those like Thanksgiving that are based on a lie — but a lie for what we wished had been true because it speaks to a yearning in the human heart to be better animals. However, fealty to the US flag and “The Star Spangled Banner” are historically recent inventions. The US National Anthem only came to be in 1932. Passed by the 71st Congress, and signed by President Hoover. Something else of somewhat more importance to most people was going on that year. Not surprising that if DC can’t give the people in need jobs or aid that they managed to dish up more patriotism.
If Congress had waited one more year, they could have adopted an anthem that speaks better to the American spirit and is much easier to sing. We’re In The Money
And scantily clad, dancing girls as well.
And it’s beautiful and a real change from the 1960s and even the early naughts:
#VeteransForKaepernik Trend Shows Freedom Means More than Flag to Many Who Serve — at The Intercept
UPDATE #2 – USUncut 9/8/16 The entire Seattle Seahawks team will protest the national anthem at opening game
