I learned something today about our National Anthem...

[DeanFL]

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My bad. I always thought that "The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States.

National anthem
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A national anthem (also state anthem, national hymn, national song, etc.) is generally a patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. The majority of national anthems are marches or hymns in style.

It appears I slept through this in Civics class....>>>

NOW.... (talk about divisive IMO)>

From USA Today (article linked below)

NFL will play Black national anthem 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' before each Week 1 game


Starting with the nationally televised regular-season opener between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 10, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black national anthem, will be performed before every Week 1 kickoff, before "The Star-Spangled Banner," according to a person familiar with ongoing discussions.

NFL plans Black national anthem 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' in Week 1 (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2020/07/02/nfl-play-black-national-anthem-lift-every-voice-sing-openers/5368762002/)

[rustyp]

Francis Scott Key author of the star spangled banner was a well know slave owner. There is controversy over verse three with perhaps some reference to slavery but difficult to translate. FYI the melody is from an old British drinking song.

[John41]

Next we will be saluting a BLM flag and singing Kumbayah. The NFL players today are overpaid prima donnas not fit to walk in the cleats of the players of the past. As for the NBA I’ll take Bob Cousy any day.

[tophcfa]

I used to be addicted to watching sports. But after Covid and no sports, I have realized that I was wasting a lot of time. Another Covid silver lining I guess? When sports finally come back, I was planning to watch again but much more selectively. If sports become nothing more than a platform for social justice issues, I am totally done. I watch sports to see sports. If I want to see social justice as the main point, I will watch the news channels that jam that stuff down the viewers throats.

[manaboutown]

I used to be addicted to watching sports. But after Covid and no sports, I have realized that I was wasting a lot of time. Another Covid silver lining I guess? When sports finally come back, I was planning to watch again but much more selectively. If sports become nothing more than a platform for social justice issues, I am totally done. I watch sports to see sports. If I want to see social justice as the main point, I will watch the news channels that jam that stuff down the viewers throats.

It is beyond sad when sports go down the tube. If they play some contrived garbage instead of the Star Spangled Banner I am through with them.

[TexaninVA]

It is beyond sad when sports go down the tube. If they play some contrived garbage instead of the Star Spangled Banner I am through with them.

Me too ... same with college football if they start to go full woke SJW ad nauseum. I'm done with the sport at that point, and no more donations for that matter to the alma mater.

My question is ... are the leaders really that obtuse? Guess we'll tune in and find out.

[MarkGoldberg]

I am so sorry to see it come to the point that we feel the need to select a single group of people to celebrate by singing a song that represents them at football games. No, it isn’t that I don’t recognize the importance, I simply don’t understand why we are singling out one group. Should we hold a concert before each game consisting of every song representing every culture. I am sorry we have become so divided as a country that it has come to this. I wonder, and I hope not, but will people begin to take a knee when that song is played. It will only add fuel to the fire that is currently leading to a civil war.

[beachman46]

You do not mix, sports, religion and politics

[Dahabs]

You do not mix, sports, religion and politics

A little late for that. Been going on for quite a while.

[tvbound]

You do not mix, sports, religion and politics

I recall not that long ago, 20 years or so, Nascar drivers were already in their cars and strapped up when the national anthem was played.

[George Page]

The NFL could be making a big mistake!
What happens when some fans refuse to stand for the Black National Anthem?

In any case. HAPPY 4th!
Enjoy your independence....while we still have it.

[DrBrutyle109]

100% true. I’m right behind you

[Girlcopper]

Next we will be saluting a BLM flag and singing Kumbayah. The NFL players today are overpaid prima donnas not fit to walk in the cleats of the players of the past. As for the NBA I’ll take Bob Cousy any day.
Agree. Black national anthem?? That has to be the joke of the day. Wake up people and see whats happening here and its not pretty.

[MandoMan]

Written by the poet James Weldon Johnson and the composer John J. Johnson in 1900. It’s a hymn, but you can march to it or waltz to it, depending on how you accentuate it. Just in case you wondered what it sounds like and what the words are, here it is.

YouTube (https://youtu.be/ONgOH_tq7-Q)

So, when you are at the game, will you stand and salute or will you take a knee?
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My bad. I always thought that "The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States.

National anthem
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A national anthem (also state anthem, national hymn, national song, etc.) is generally a patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. The majority of national anthems are marches or hymns in style.

It appears I slept through this in Civics class....>>>

NOW.... (talk about divisive IMO)>

From USA Today (article linked below)

NFL will play Black national anthem 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' before each Week 1 game


Starting with the nationally televised regular-season opener between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 10, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black national anthem, will be performed before every Week 1 kickoff, before "The Star-Spangled Banner," according to a person familiar with ongoing discussions.

NFL plans Black national anthem 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' in Week 1 (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2020/07/02/nfl-play-black-national-anthem-lift-every-voice-sing-openers/5368762002/)

[MandoMan]

Francis Scott Key author of the star spangled banner was a well know slave owner. There is controversy over verse three with perhaps some reference to slavery but difficult to translate. FYI the melody is from an old British drinking song.

The melody goes back to maybe 1773, so it was barely forty years old when Key’s lyrics were written. It was the anthem sung at each meeting of a group of wealthy amateur singers who got together to sing and also drink. It was not a barroom song—way too difficult to sing.
The Anacreontic Song - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Anacreontic_Song)
Key was a prominent lawyer, not a “well known slave owner.” I don’t think he owned a plantation. He did own some slaves, which was entirely legal in Maryland. He also freed a number of them, provided pro bono representation at times for people of African descent, and spent ten years pushing the will of my ancestor John Randolph of Virginia through the courts—a difficult process because Randolph freed 400 slaves. He was not an abolitionist, but neither was Abraham Lincoln until it was politically useful. He was a member of a society dedicated to helping free or freed Africans return to Africa—a worthy goal, and again one Lincoln approved of for awhile.

[JulieER]

Why do we have to have the Star Spangled Banner or anything played before a game? Why can’t they just come out and play?

[Judy n Ron]

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My bad. I always thought that "The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States.

National anthem
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A national anthem (also state anthem, national hymn, national song, etc.) is generally a patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. The majority of national anthems are marches or hymns in style.

It appears I slept through this in Civics class....>>>

NOW.... (talk about divisive IMO)>

From USA Today (article linked below)

NFL will play Black national anthem 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' before each Week 1 game


Starting with the nationally televised regular-season opener between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 10, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black national anthem, will be performed before every Week 1 kickoff, before "The Star-Spangled Banner," according to a person familiar with ongoing discussions.

NFL plans Black national anthem 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' in Week 1 (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2020/07/02/nfl-play-black-national-anthem-lift-every-voice-sing-openers/5368762002/)

I'm taking a knee. Ron

[Joanne19335]

Why do we have to have the Star Spangled Banner or anything played before a game? Why can’t they just come out and play?

It is out of respect and love of our country that our National Anthem is played before a sporting event. When an American hockey team plays against a Canadian team, the Canadian National Anthem is also played. If you object to listening to our national anthem, mute your TV until the game begins.

[MandoMan]

You do not mix, sports, religion and politics

I’m laughing. Yesterday I saw a meme on Facebook complaining that NASCAR would no longer begin each race with the national anthem and a prayer. I love the TV series “Friday Night Lights”. In that show, though, the team had a group prayer in the locker room before every game, led by the coach. I remember the scene in the great World War II movie “Catch—22” where Buck Henry asks the “padre” to offer “a nice snappy prayer” before a bombing mission, and when it drags on, Colonel Cathcart butts in and asks God for nice tight bombing patterns that will destroy the enemy. I remember the old Bob Dylan song “With God on Or Side.”

[Dana1963]

Do they play the “National Anthem” and “Pledge of Allegiance” prior to PGA Tournaments?

[Vonjor@gmail.com]

That is a hard song to sing. But, so is the Star Bangled Banner, which by the way has only been our national anthem since1931.
I vote for America the Beautiful!

[daca55]

I am so sorry to see it come to the point that we feel the need to select a single group of people to celebrate by singing a song that represents them at football games. No, it isn’t that I don’t recognize the importance, I simply don’t understand why we are singling out one group. Should we hold a concert before each game consisting of every song representing every culture. I am sorry we have become so divided as a country that it has come to this. I wonder, and I hope not, but will people begin to take a knee when that song is played. It will only add fuel to the fire that is currently leading to a civil war.

You are so spot on!! Everything you said is so true and exactly how I feel. Taking down statues and singing songs that are for one group are only going to divide us more than we already are. Sad that this country has come to this fork in the road.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Here is the story behind the Star Spangled Banner. It is the how and why it was written.

Short History of The Star Spangled Banner | American Battlefield Trust (https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/short-history-star-spangled-banner?gclid=CjwKCAjwrvv3BRAJEiwAhwOdM5d4-sxQZvuajioaJCCv8YQAsGtReQiRunKb9HkjNVxWWr16T7fbwxo CZEwQAvD_BwE)

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Here is the third verse by the way, which is never sung.

It does have the word slave in it but it doesn't appear to me to be talking about African slaves specifically.

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.

Will we be banning the Bible next because of the references to slaves?

I think that what some are missing here is that the US Flag was the flag of the north in the Civil War. It's the symbol of those who fought to end slavery.

I don't know how you can fight to get rid of the Stars and Bars and also the Star Spangled Banner?

[Dlbonivich]

Very nice song m, but not sure I need to hear it before NFL game. They stoped showing national anthem on TV last year. So are we going to see this instead this year. I will stand for national anthem not the black national anthem. That might be cultural appropriation!

[PJackpot]

My guess is the players will stand for the black national anthem and then kneel for America's national anthem.

[Dilligas]

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My bad. I always thought that "The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States.

National anthem
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A national anthem (also state anthem, national hymn, national song, etc.) is generally a patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. The majority of national anthems are marches or hymns in style.

It appears I slept through this in Civics class....>>>

NOW.... (talk about divisive IMO)>

From USA Today (article linked below)

NFL will play Black national anthem 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' before each Week 1 game


Starting with the nationally televised regular-season opener between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 10, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black national anthem, will be performed before every Week 1 kickoff, before "The Star-Spangled Banner," according to a person familiar with ongoing discussions.

NFL plans Black national anthem 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' in Week 1 (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2020/07/02/nfl-play-black-national-anthem-lift-every-voice-sing-openers/5368762002/)
Remember, Wikipedia is an on line collection of posts that have been compiled.
The Merrimack-Webster Dictionary defines as ......Definition of national anthem
: a song that praises a particular country and that is officially accepted as the country's song.
That is The Star Spangled Banner 🇺🇸

[Neils]

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My bad. I always thought that "The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States.

National anthem
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A national anthem (also state anthem, national hymn, national song, etc.) is generally a patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. The majority of national anthems are marches or hymns in style.

It appears I slept through this in Civics class....>>>

NOW.... (talk about divisive IMO)>

From USA Today (article linked below)

NFL will play Black national anthem 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' before each Week 1 game


Starting with the nationally televised regular-season opener between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 10, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black national anthem, will be performed before every Week 1 kickoff, before "The Star-Spangled Banner," according to a person familiar with ongoing discussions.

NFL plans Black national anthem 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' in Week 1 (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2020/07/02/nfl-play-black-national-anthem-lift-every-voice-sing-openers/5368762002/)

Prefer to watch old movies or rerun TV shows than paying to watch millionaire “oppressed people” grandstand their PC public stance.

No more NFL NBA or paid athlete college games for me.

[Bay Kid]

Anything white has to go. Everything.

[BlackhawksFan]

You do not mix, sports, religion and politics

They've mixed since the beginning of time. Most notibly Jesse Owens and Hitler, Jackie Robinson, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, Muhammad Ali, the 1980 US Hockey team, Olympic boycotts, Colin Kaepernick knealing, NBA players protesting the anthem, Shawn Green not playing baseball on Yom Kippur, the Phoenix Suns honoring Hispanic heritage after Arizona enacted strict immigration law, NBA players wearing hoodie for Trayvon Martin, the University of Missouri football team having a hunger strike to force the university president to resign over racist environment on campus, WNBA/NBA playeRS wearingn"I can't breathe" shirts.

It goes on and on and on. They've always intersected and always will. Either your point is weak and invalid or you've never paid attention and I'm not sure which is worse.

[davem4616]

well at least now we know why the NFL refs make so many stupid calls and get so many of the calls wrong...they're just following the commissioner's mode of operation

Roger, call a time out and take advantage of the replay booth and reverse the call on this one

dumb, stupid, confused, misguided are among the adjectives that I'll use in mixed company on this call

so what's going to happen when the cameras pan the stadium and show everyone that bought a ticket sitting in their seats when this "BNA" is played....yeah, that's gonna help bring us together...you can bet they won't show that on the tube

Roger, you're part of the problem...go away

[Bikeracer2009]

I'm curious to see if people in the stands bother to get out of their seats for each song, pick one and not the other or stand for both? Good time to virtue signal? What if you don't stand up will you be pointed out? Video could be put on social media of people taking a knee on one but not the other leading to them being called a racist?

I don't watch sports or television so it doesn't matter to me.

[huange@verizon.net]

I thought the civil rights struggle was about equality. Where are you MLK?

[Nanny32162]

Next we will be saluting a BLM flag and singing Kumbayah. The NFL players today are overpaid prima donnas not fit to walk in the cleats of the players of the past. As for the NBA I’ll take Bob Cousy any day.

Relax and don't get your knickers in a knot, it solves nothing and makes you sit funny. Do you enjoy Irish songs on St. Patrick's Day, and I could list other ethnic songs you may enjoy. What is wrong with recognizing and paying tribute to an ethnic group, upon whose backs this nation was built? Have you ever listened to "Life Every Voice and Sing"? It is a beautiful song with wonderful lyrics by James Weldon Johnson, plus it is easy for everyone to sing. I will happily sing this great song and then join in "The Star Spangled Banner". Please get over your pettiness and think in broader terms.

[Xxmax@aol.com]

I will not stand for the black national anthem this will do more to harm race relations

[jimh24444@gmail.com]

So 16% of our population will determine what national anthem will be played. Now that is a democracy? BLM is out of control.

[billethkid]

So 16% of our population will determine what national anthem will be played. Now that is a democracy? BLM is out of control.

Facilitated by spineless, owners, operators, managers, politicians and anybody else caving in to the current wave of stupid, uncalled for demands (of the few).

We will see how much attention those who choose not to stand during the proposed song (calling it the black national anthem only validates the cause) receive.

Let's hope and pray it is the hoola hoop effect and will die away.

[Eg_cruz]

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My bad. I always thought that "The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States.

National anthem
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A national anthem (also state anthem, national hymn, national song, etc.) is generally a patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. The majority of national anthems are marches or hymns in style.

It appears I slept through this in Civics class....>>>

NOW.... (talk about divisive IMO)>

From USA Today (article linked below)

NFL will play Black national anthem 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' before each Week 1 game


Starting with the nationally televised regular-season opener between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 10, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black national anthem, will be performed before every Week 1 kickoff, before "The Star-Spangled Banner," according to a person familiar with ongoing discussions.

NFL plans Black national anthem 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' in Week 1 (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2020/07/02/nfl-play-black-national-anthem-lift-every-voice-sing-openers/5368762002/)
I am done with NFL 100%.......not only because to do stupid things like this but also because it has gotten more violent over the years

[Hogfan55]

QUOTE=tophcfa;1796700]I used to be addicted to watching sports. But after Covid and no sports, I have realized that I was wasting a lot of time. Another Covid silver lining I guess? When sports finally come back, I was planning to watch again but much more selectively. If sports become nothing more than a platform for social justice issues, I am totally done. I watch sports to see sports. If I want to see social justice as the main point, I will watch the news channels that jam that stuff down the viewers throats.[/QUOTE]

I agree. Sporting events used to be a diversion from politics and controversy and our everyday problems. It didn’t matter whether you were white or black, Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal. We were all just wanting to enjoy the fun and relaxation that went with watching the sport and the competition. But now it’s all about “who’s gonna kneel, what song is gonna play, what are the players gonna say about the issue of the day? Now college football players are determining what t-shirt the coach can wear or what network he can or can’t watch. I have already quit watching NFL because of the politics. Now we have the so-called black national anthem being played along with the Star Spangled Banner. Are college sports next? I think so. And like you it’s not that turning the game off is my way to protest, it’s that the enjoyment I received by being able to escape for just a little while has been lost. The same goes for concerts. I go to be musically entertained, not to be lectured about politics. I respect their right to their opinion but I don’t want to have to listen to their political views any more than they care to hear mine, especially when it’s on my dime!







[

[Eg_cruz]

The NFL could be making a big mistake!
What happens when some fans refuse to stand for the Black National Anthem?

In any case. HAPPY 4th!
Enjoy your independence....while we still have it.
Why would anyone stand .......it’s not the National Anthem

[Joe C.]

It's just a misguided thing that will further divide this nation. I can imagine every non black person turning their back or taking a knee when this extra song is played. All the BLM advocates will be "offended" by this. Just as most of the others were "offended" by Kapernack's knee.

BTW ....when most people say that they are "offended" by another's actions, I think that they just are annoyed or don't like it. They aren't really offended, because they don't really understand the true meaning of the word. Just like they misuse the words "decimated", "hero" or the king of misused words..
"AWSOME".

[Scorpyo]

Why do we have to have the Star Spangled Banner or anything played before a game? Why can’t they just come out and play?
If you asked me that a couple of years ago I would have thought your question was crazy. Today, sadly I agree with you. Maybe they should simply do a moment of silence. During that moment you can reflect upon anything that you deem personally important to you.

[theruizs]

They've mixed since the beginning of time. Most notibly Jesse Owens and Hitler, Jackie Robinson, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, Muhammad Ali, the 1980 US Hockey team, Olympic boycotts, Colin Kaepernick knealing, NBA players protesting the anthem, Shawn Green not playing baseball on Yom Kippur, the Phoenix Suns honoring Hispanic heritage after Arizona enacted strict immigration law, NBA players wearing hoodie for Trayvon Martin, the University of Missouri football team having a hunger strike to force the university president to resign over racist environment on campus, WNBA/NBA playeRS wearingn"I can't breathe" shirts.

It goes on and on and on. They've always intersected and always will. Either your point is weak and invalid or you've never paid attention and I'm not sure which is worse.

He didn’t say it never happened or happens. I took his point as it should not happen. The length of a wrong act (slavery for example) does not make it right. It only seems as though it does because people get conditioned to it.

[alwann]

My opinion for a long time has been the National Anthem is played inappropriately. It should be reserved for patriotic and official events, not commercial money-making productions. Stop playing it before NFL games. Instead, play Talking Heads' “Psycho Killer."

[coconutmama]

It is beyond sad when sports go down the tube. If they play some contrived garbage instead of the Star Spangled Banner I am through with them.

I always thought “America The Beautiful” was a better national anthem for us all

[PugMom]

The NFL could be making a big mistake!
What happens when some fans refuse to stand for the Black National Anthem?

In any case. HAPPY 4th!
Enjoy your independence....while we still have it.

or KNEEL during the new anthem

[Aloha1]

Francis Scott Key author of the star spangled banner was a well know slave owner. There is controversy over verse three with perhaps some reference to slavery but difficult to translate. FYI the melody is from an old British drinking song.

The 3rd stanza refers to being slaves of the British. It's an ironic twist on the verse in Rule Britannia that says Britons never never ever will be slaves.

It has nothing to do with blacks.

[PugMom]

:boom: thank you

[ffresh]

It is beyond sad when sports go down the tube. If they play some contrived garbage instead of the Star Spangled Banner I am through with them.

To each his own; personally, I don't watch sports and haven't since I was a much younger man. I consider it a waste of time and, even worse, "bread & circus" to keep the "great unwashed" (us) distracted from the things that really matter - just as the Caesars did in the Roman empire. It wouldn't bother me a bit if they played "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands" at these events - waste of time and money being used to underwrite this nonsense. :ohdear:

Fred

[tophcfa]

My guess is the players will stand for the black national anthem and then kneel for America's national anthem.

And then millions of viewers will turn off their TV’s, hurting ratings, reducing advertising revenues, and ultimately reducing players salaries. Only then will players stop kneeling for the national anthem.

[Aloha1]

That is a hard song to sing. But, so is the Star Bangled Banner, which by the way has only been our national anthem since1931.
I vote for America the Beautiful!

It had been our de facto National Anthem since the 1890's. It was codified as such in 1931.

[Scorpyo]

My opinion for a long time has been the National Anthem is played inappropriately. It should be reserved for patriotic and official events, not commercial money-making productions. Stop playing it before NFL games. Instead, play Talking Heads' “Psycho Killer."
I disagree with your choice. They should play something that brings people together and promotes conversation like Pillow Talk. Or maybe one that promotes some diversity in language like Voulez - Vous.

[Aloha1]

And all this time, I thought NFL players were from America. Where exactly is this black nation that this Anthem is from?

[sipops]

I stopped watching football when the first knee was taken. Basketball when Le Bron started his political crap. Baseball when players refused to stand for the anthem and soccer when the knee was taken. Best part I no longer miss any of it. Maybe we should see how well sports would survive if only blacks attended.

[Aqtlow]

I Stoped watching football when the kneeler was not fined or thrown off the team after the first game. If only my fourth grade teacher were here. Wow she is probably rolling in her grave. So sad that no one remembers the truth that a lot or people came willingly or released from prison or were sold by there families, including Africans to America for a chance for a better life , no guarantee or entitlement, just a Opportunity for a better life. What one does with that Opportunity is not someone Else’s burden.
If we shut the door to the past then we are Damned to repeat it.

[walt21]

Now this is TRULY racism!!!

[Buckeye Boy]

I used to be addicted to watching sports. But after Covid and no sports, I have realized that I was wasting a lot of time. Another Covid silver lining I guess? When sports finally come back, I was planning to watch again but much more selectively. If sports become nothing more than a platform for social justice issues, I am totally done. I watch sports to see sports. If I want to see social justice as the main point, I will watch the news channels that jam that stuff down the viewers throats.
You get my vote. Exactly how I felt after the kneeling stuff started. No more pro sports for me.

[ffresh]

well at least now we know why the NFL refs make so many stupid calls and get so many of the calls wrong...they're just following the commissioner's mode of operation

Roger, call a time out and take advantage of the replay booth and reverse the call on this one

dumb, stupid, confused, misguided are among the adjectives that I'll use in mixed company on this call

so what's going to happen when the cameras pan the stadium and show everyone that bought a ticket sitting in their seats when this "BNA" is played....yeah, that's gonna help bring us together...you can bet they won't show that on the tube

Roger, you're part of the problem...go away


Roger Goodell is merely (in the immortal words of Mel Brooks - Blazing Saddles) trying to protect his "phony-baloney" job:

The max compensation on the commissioner's new deal is $200M over five years if all incentives are hit

Roger Goodell's base salary would be roughly in the range of $20M per year - CBSSports.com (https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/roger-goodells-base-salary-would-be-roughly-in-the-range-of-20m-per-year/)

There are no principles involved here :icon_wink:

Fred

[Gerryk12]

Amen!

[DeanFL]

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...wait 'till the NBA starts...
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[banjobob]

Must be since most football and b-ball players are black

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Oh Canada is played at sports arenas at all games when visiting players come , same for spirts with an international team , I think it’s a nice gesture and a good song gives people something to think about.

[bobnyce]

I will not be watching any NFL game that does not play the National Anthem nor will I watch if there is any kneeling. Honoring our flag and anthem has nothing to do with kneeling before a game. Our flag deserves recognition as the greatest nation on earth regardless of our misgivings which we have fought to correct!!! Too many have died to give us the right to preserve our way of life to disrespect these rights by kneeling before a lousy football, soccer, baseball, hockey game or any other event. So, I will exercise my right not to watch or support those who do. One angry veteran!!!

[ffresh]

I'm taking a knee. Ron

You should take it at home and discontinue your financial support for such nonsense … just sayin' :icon_wink:


Fred

[TexaninVA]

I will not be watching any NFL game that does not play the National Anthem nor will I watch if there is any kneeling. Honoring our flag and anthem has nothing to do with kneeling before a game. Our flag deserves recognition as the greatest nation on earth regardless of our misgivings which we have fought to correct!!! Too many have died to give us the right to preserve our way of life to disrespect these rights by kneeling before a lousy football, soccer, baseball, hockey game or any other event. So, I will exercise my right not to watch or support those who do. One angry veteran!!!

Me too .... to flip a phrase :icon_wink:

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

To many people died for the right to live free and to protest peacefully anyway they choose ( see Supreme Court verdicts

[blueash]

During the time the Philadelphia Flyers were the best team in hockey, in the mid 80s, that team did not play the Star Spangled Banner at all before key games. Instead they opted for Kate Smith singing God Bless America. Was there an outcry about not playing the "National Anthem" of course not. Did white people say they were going to stop watching hockey if Francis Scott Key's song was omitted? Of course not. So the issue is not that all games must be preceded by a particular song and only that song. And the NFL is not omitting the national anthem, they are electing for one game out of the entire season to play an additional song before the national anthem. Have stadiums had music before the national anthem before? Surely they have.

So the real objection here, it seems to me, is not that the official anthem is not being played as it is being played. The objection is that a song which attempts to capture something of the black experience in America is also being played. We can't have that can we? Nothing racial at all about objecting to a song about the black experience which is preceding not replacing the national anthem. Right?

[ffresh]

During the time the Philadelphia Flyers were the best team in hockey, in the mid 80s, that team did not play the Star Spangled Banner at all before key games. Instead they opted for Kate Smith singing God Bless America. Was there an outcry about not playing the "National Anthem" of course not. Did white people say they were going to stop watching hockey if Francis Scott Key's song was omitted? Of course not. So the issue is not that all games must be preceded by a particular song and only that song. And the NFL is not omitting the national anthem, they are electing for one game out of the entire season to play an additional song before the national anthem. Have stadiums had music before the national anthem before? Surely they have.

So the real objection here, it seems to me, is not that the official anthem is not being played as it is being played. The objection is that a song which attempts to capture something of the black experience in America is also being played. We can't have that can we? Nothing racial at all about objecting to a song about the black experience which is preceding not replacing the national anthem. Right?

Singling out ANY particular racial group in this manner, whether to laud or condemn, is (to borrow a favorite and overused leftist epithet) racist by its very nature! No matter how it is "spinned" [sic] :ohdear:

Fred

[anothersteve]

Singling out ANY particular racial group in this manner, whether to laud or condemn, is (to borrow a favorite and overused leftist epithet) racist by its very nature! No matter how it is "spinned" [sic] :ohdear:

Fred

I agree and I'm tired of this pandering under the pretense of systemic racism.

Steve

[blueash]

Me too .... to flip a phrase :icon_wink:

I see that cute little wink icon. Yes, it is very funny to intentionally use a phrase which is strongly associated with the pain people have experienced being victims of sexual assault as part of a cute comment. Nice job flipping a phrase.

[notinkansas]

Relax and don't get your knickers in a knot, it solves nothing and makes you sit funny. Do you enjoy Irish songs on St. Patrick's Day, and I could list other ethnic songs you may enjoy. What is wrong with recognizing and paying tribute to an ethnic group, upon whose backs this nation was built? Have you ever listened to "Life Every Voice and Sing"? It is a beautiful song with wonderful lyrics by James Weldon Johnson, plus it is easy for everyone to sing. I will happily sing this great song and then join in "The Star Spangled Banner". Please get over your pettiness and think in broader terms.

I agree it truly is a beautiful song. However, if the NFL does this it will probably only add to the division.
That being said, if no one had labeled this a Black National Anthem and the current resident of the Oval Office had suggested (as his idea) that this should be our new anthem, my guess is these people posting their negative responses would be running out to learn the words.

[bpascani]

shouldn't

[TexaninVA]

I see that cute little wink icon. Yes, it is very funny to intentionally use a phrase which is strongly associated with the pain people have experienced being victims of sexual assault as part of a cute comment. Nice job flipping a phrase.

You have good vision and perhaps even a sense of humor

[TexaninVA]

During the time the Philadelphia Flyers were the best team in hockey, in the mid 80s, that team did not play the Star Spangled Banner at all before key games. Instead they opted for Kate Smith singing God Bless America. Was there an outcry about not playing the "National Anthem" of course not. Did white people say they were going to stop watching hockey if Francis Scott Key's song was omitted? Of course not. So the issue is not that all games must be preceded by a particular song and only that song. And the NFL is not omitting the national anthem, they are electing for one game out of the entire season to play an additional song before the national anthem. Have stadiums had music before the national anthem before? Surely they have.

So the real objection here, it seems to me, is not that the official anthem is not being played as it is being played. The objection is that a song which attempts to capture something of the black experience in America is also being played. We can't have that can we? Nothing racial at all about objecting to a song about the black experience which is preceding not replacing the national anthem. Right?

No, it's simply common sense to object to a song that's now been racialized, by design, and forced down our throats as part of the ongoing woke culture ... people are sick of everything being politicized, including the NFL

[Byte1]

"The objection is that a song which attempts to capture something of the black experience in America is also being played. We can't have that can we? "

Correct, we should sympathize with those poor majority in the NFL that are soooo representative of the "black experience."

[blueash]

Singling out ANY particular racial group in this manner, whether to laud or condemn, is (to borrow a favorite and overused leftist epithet) racist by its very nature! No matter how it is "spinned" [sic] :ohdear:

Fred

But the objection on this thread has not been that it singles out a particular group rather this is a very specific objection to the group being black.

If they play some contrived garbage instead of the Star Spangled Banner I am through with them.

One poster labeled the song as contrived garbage and wrongly stated it was replacing the SSB.

Black national anthem?? That has to be the joke of the day

I'm pretty sure nobody intended it as a joke.

Anything white has to go. Everything.

I thought the civil rights struggle was about equality.


I will not stand for the black national anthem this will do more to harm race relations I can't imagine how playing a song will harm race relations. There only seems to be a specific segment of our society which objects to playing a song once before one game out of the season. I think acknowledging the problem and the tiny gesture of playing a song might help just a bit.

So 16% of our population will determine what national anthem will be played
Again misinformed people. The national anthem is going to be played. Why do so many people seem to not understand what is being proposed?

caving in to the current wave of stupid, uncalled for demands (of the few).

Recent polling since the murder of Mr. Lloyd show support for BLM (https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2020/06/12/amid-protests-majorities-across-racial-and-ethnic-groups-express-support-for-the-black-lives-matter-movement/) by every racial group, Only one sub-group does not support BLM, white Republicans.

I can imagine every non black person turning their back or taking a knee when this extra song is played.

Again the BLM movement is supported by most Americans including most white Americans. For those who believe that white people agreeing with BLM is a rarity, your information bubble is too small.

So I don't see many people, although there were some, who objected because this honored one of many segments of American society, the objection was because it honored Black Americans. The poem reflects on how far we have come and how much suffering there has been but with perseverance and the help of God the future is bright. Obviously there still is work to be done.

[Dust Bunny]

The Star-Spangled Banner
National Anthem
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from the Defence of Fort M'Henry, a poem written on September 14, 1814, by 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbor during the Battle of Baltimore in th…

[Byte1]

But the objection on this thread has not been that it singles out a particular group rather this is a very specific objection to the group being black.
One poster labeled the song as contrived garbage and wrongly stated it was replacing the SSB.
I'm pretty sure nobody intended it as a joke.
I can't imagine how playing a song will harm race relations. There only seems to be a specific segment of our society which objects to playing a song once before one game out of the season. I think acknowledging the problem and the tiny gesture of playing a song might help just a bit.
Again misinformed people. The national anthem is going to be played. Why do so many people seem to not understand what is being proposed?
Recent polling since the murder of Mr. Lloyd show support for BLM (https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2020/06/12/amid-protests-majorities-across-racial-and-ethnic-groups-express-support-for-the-black-lives-matter-movement/) by every racial group, Only one sub-group does not support BLM, white Republicans.
Again the BLM movement is supported by most Americans including most white Americans. For those who believe that white people agreeing with BLM is a rarity, your information bubble is too small.
So I don't see many people, although there were some, who objected because this honored one of many segments of American society, the objection was because it honored Black Americans. The poem reflects on how far we have come and how much suffering there has been but with perseverance and the help of God the future is bright. Obviously there still is work to be done.

Everyone has an opinion. Even though there is a statement that ONLY white Republicans are against this, I highly doubt it. But, it is one person's opinion. My opinion is that if given a vote, the majority would vote against having that DIVISIVE song preempt the National Anthem. It won't matter to me, because I will no longer waste my time with politics in professional sports.
In my opinion, millionaire BLACK athletes are representative of the "black plight" in America. They are representative of what ANYONE can accomplish in America and should be as grateful for it as anyone else that is successful in America.
As the years go by, I see less and less reason to sympathize with the "black plight" in America. I do not see anything further that can be done that will convince them that we have done everything we can to help them assimilate into our diverse culture. We have not excluded them. Time for the crutches to be put aside and some folks to walk on their own. If they fall, then a winner gets back up again.

[cherylncliff]

I used to be addicted to watching sports. But after Covid and no sports, I have realized that I was wasting a lot of time. Another Covid silver lining I guess? When sports finally come back, I was planning to watch again but much more selectively. If sports become nothing more than a platform for social justice issues, I am totally done. I watch sports to see sports. If I want to see social justice as the main point, I will watch the news channels that jam that stuff down the viewers throats.

Did you even bother to look up the lyrics? It is a beautiful statement about our country.

Lift ev'ry voice and sing
'Til earth and heaven ring
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the list'ning skies
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun
Let us march on 'til victory is won
Stony the road we trod
Bitter the chastening rod
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died
Yet with a steady beat
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered
Out from the gloomy past
'Til now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast
God of our weary years
God of our silent tears
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way
Thou who has by Thy might
Led us into the light


Why would any proud American object to this song and it's message?

[DeanFL]

Did you even bother to look up the lyrics? It is a beautiful statement about our country.


Why would any proud American object to this song and it's message?

..........................

I certainly don't "object to this song/message" - Personally I object to be forced to include ANOTHER "national anthem" played during a USA sporting event. There is a REASON the Canadian anthem is played with the US anthem during Hockey - It is TWO countries. So does this NOW MEAN Black NFL players want THEIR anthem played? I guess so. BTW it TRULY TORQUED me to read that USA Today article (a very Liberal Media, based on articles presented (or NOT) and editorials. That's all fine - and why I read the online version - to get all sides. BUT - THEY are the ones that labeled this THE BLACK NATIONAL ANTHEM - and why I had to open this Thread. I find it so divisive, and yet another wedge driven to promote fractures in our society.

On another note re this topic - this following article hits many points, pertaining to why some non-Black folks have difficulty with the BLM "Movement">


Wow!
I'm so confused right now. I see signs all over saying black lives matter. I’m just trying to figure out which black lives matter. It can’t be the unborn black babies. It’s not black cops. They don’t seem to matter. It’s not my black conservative friends. They are told to shut up if they know what’s best for them by their black counterparts. It’s not black business owners. Their property does not mean anything. It’s not blacks who fought in the military. Their statues are destroyed with disdain by the black lives matter protesters. So which black lives matter again?

Black Lives Matter. Of course they do! Then, when multiple black police officers and individuals were killed during the “peaceful protests”, I didn’t see any outrage. Black individually owned businesses burned to the ground. Silence. Deadliest weekend in Chicago. NOTHING!!

I can’t keep up. I just can’t. I’m exhausted trying to figure out what we’re all supposed to do, believe, and be offended and outraged by next.

Two months ago, First Responders were all the rage. In fact, they were heroes. We gave them free coffee, meals, and cheers as they drove by. Today, we hate them and want them defunded because they can’t be trusted.

Two months ago, truck drivers were the heroes, as well, for keeping America moving and the grocery stores stocked. Today we block the roads with protesters, drag them out of the cabs and beat them half to death.
Nurses and Doctors are still cool for now. But they may be unemployed. They too are heroes, unless of course they truly believe all lives matter. Then they're part of the problem like so many others.

Just 45 days ago protests weren’t “essential” and were considered criminal, selfish and a murderous activity. Today they are gloriously critical and celebrated. All of the obvious criminal and murderous activities are simply ignored. If you protest about lock downs for freedom, you are selfish and you will spread a virus. If you protest, loot, and riot for social justice, you are a warrior and the virus fades to the background.

[tvbound]

Did you even bother to look up the lyrics? It is a beautiful statement about our country.

Lift ev'ry voice and sing
'Til earth and heaven ring
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the list'ning skies
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun
Let us march on 'til victory is won
Stony the road we trod
Bitter the chastening rod
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died
Yet with a steady beat
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered
Out from the gloomy past
'Til now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast
God of our weary years
God of our silent tears
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way
Thou who has by Thy might
Led us into the light


Why would any proud American object to this song and it's message?

Beautiful lyrics, thanks for posting them.

I agree, I can't imagine anyone who loves this country and who actually believes in equality for all of us, having an objection to this song.

[blueash]

Everyone has an opinion. Even though there is a statement that ONLY white Republicans are against this, I highly doubt it. But, it is one person's opinion. My opinion is that if given a vote, the majority would vote against having that DIVISIVE song preempt the National Anthem.

There is nothing DIVISIVE or even divisive about the song. Maybe atheists would object to its religious themes. It is a song about overcoming adversity and working toward a better future. Very much American themes. It is aspirational and humble.

I don't know where you get the idea that I made up a fact about every group supporting BLM except white Republicans. I posted the link. Did you check it? And the song is not pre-empting the National Anthem. Again that has been covered but apparently is not getting through to some people. The National Anthem is being played.

After 9-11 the Sinatra song NY NY was played before the National Anthem in many sports stadiums to recognize the tragedy of that event even though only a small segment of the country was attacked. Those deaths in 2001 only impacted two cities directly but indirectly it was all of us. The deaths of Mr. Lloyd (and the list of so many others) that have been the concern of BLM similarly most Americans now feel impacts all of us. One song at one game.

[vayssie1]

Always thought America the Beautiful was a way more representative song and more beautiful words.

[Aloha1]

It isn't the song, it's the pandering. Blue Ash says the majority of "white" (why pick on Albinos?) Americans support BLM. That is a scary statement because it implies that the "majority" of Americans are clueless on the fact that BLM is a Marxist movement dedicated to the destruction of free market capitalism.

We do not have "systemic racism" in America, we have systemic Anti-Americanism.

[valuemkt]

The NEW NFL: Stand for the Black National Anthem (should i put my hand on my heart ?).. Is there a flag that we honor and pledge allegiance to ? and KNEEL for our Country's National Anthem ..

Not in my Lifetime

Thanks for the memories Roger .. poor Pete Rozelle

[TexaninVA]

To many people died for the right to live free and to protest peacefully anyway they choose ( see Supreme Court verdicts

Many indeed died for the right to be free and peacefully protest ...

However, no one took up arms so that rioters could run free to loot and burn. :shocked:

[TexaninVA]

It's just a misguided thing that will further divide this nation. I can imagine every non black person turning their back or taking a knee when this extra song is played. All the BLM advocates will be "offended" by this. Just as most of the others were "offended" by Kapernack's knee.

BTW ....when most people say that they are "offended" by another's actions, I think that they just are annoyed or don't like it. They aren't really offended, because they don't really understand the true meaning of the word. Just like they misuse the words "decimated", "hero" or the king of misused words..
"AWSOME".

"Offended" means that the offended is offended by the offendee having an opinion, or view that differs from his and thus offends the offender.

This is especially acute because the offended typically can no longer coherently debate but have instread perfected their ability to scream in the offendees' faces while feigning offense.


...
,

[TexaninVA]

The NEW NFL: Stand for the Black National Anthem (should i put my hand on my heart ?).. Is there a flag that we honor and pledge allegiance to ? and KNEEL for our Country's National Anthem ..

Not in my Lifetime

Thanks for the memories Roger .. poor Pete Rozelle

We have a contest between Roger Goodell and the Mayor of Seattle for who wins the Fecklessness Award for 2020. Any other nominees?

[tophcfa]

We have a contest between Roger Goodell and the Mayor of Seattle for who wins the Fecklessness Award for 2020. Any other nominees?

I will nominate every city council member of every city and town in the USA that votes to defund the police. However, my vote will go to Goodell.

[TexaninVA]

Did you even bother to look up the lyrics? It is a beautiful statement about our country.

Lift ev'ry voice and sing
'Til earth and heaven ring
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the list'ning skies
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun
Let us march on 'til victory is won
Stony the road we trod
Bitter the chastening rod
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died
Yet with a steady beat
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered
Out from the gloomy past
'Til now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast
God of our weary years
God of our silent tears
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way
Thou who has by Thy might
Led us into the light


Why would any proud American object to this song and it's message?

Because, like many well-intentioned gestures, it will predictably backfire and make us more divided than we are ... if that's even possible.

[TexaninVA]

There is nothing DIVISIVE or even divisive about the song. Maybe atheists would object to its religious themes. It is a song about overcoming adversity and working toward a better future. Very much American themes. It is aspirational and humble.

I don't know where you get the idea that I made up a fact about every group supporting BLM except white Republicans. I posted the link. Did you check it? And the song is not pre-empting the National Anthem. Again that has been covered but apparently is not getting through to some people. The National Anthem is being played.

After 9-11 the Sinatra song NY NY was played before the National Anthem in many sports stadiums to recognize the tragedy of that event even though only a small segment of the country was attacked. Those deaths in 2001 only impacted two cities directly but indirectly it was all of us. The deaths of Mr. Lloyd (and the list of so many others) that have been the concern of BLM similarly most Americans now feel impacts all of us. One song at one game.

There is nothing divisive about the lyrics. They are actually quite beautiful.

What's divisive (obviously, in my view) is describing it as the "Black National Anthem" and then expecting everyone to sing it.

We could always expand this new approach to include an Indian (ie Native American song ... btw I'm part Cherokee ...I feel slighted) and maybe a Hispanic song, certainly a song for the Italians, and don't forget the Irish.

E Pluribus Unum.

[thomp679]

Why do we have to have the Star Spangled Banner or anything played before a game? Why can’t they just come out and play?

Agree.

Also I also find it odd the Pledge of Allegiance is conducted at the start of some club meetings here in the Villages. If the club's focus is centered around the country in some way, it makes sense. If I am going to a social group event, it seems out of place to have to have to 'commit my loyalty to the country flag'. One doesn't do that when they walk into a bar.

Let the arrogance fly.

[thomp679]

To all objecting to the 'Black' National Anthem, why does it matter what is done at NFL games. I thought all of you stopped watching the NFL three years ago when some players started to kneel. I guess you can't trust anyone to honor their word anymore.

[TexaninVA]

To all objecting to the 'Black' National Anthem, why does it matter what is done at NFL games. I thought all of you stopped watching the NFL three years ago when some players started to kneel. I guess you can't trust anyone to honor their word anymore.

To answer in general, people object to injecting still more divisiveness into an already divided country. What could possibly go wrong?

Not a matter of violating their word etc ...apples & oranges.

[thomp679]

To answer in general, people object to injecting still more divisiveness into an already divided country. What could possibly go wrong?

Not a matter of violating their word etc ...apples & oranges.

If you pledge to stop watching the NFL, you should stop watching the NFL. If the NFL adopts policies that one might not be in agreement with, it shouldn't matter because you stopped watching. Seventy percentage of the NFL player are black or other minorities so why shouldn't they have an anthem played before the National anthem? The patriots are only watching their game.

As to the divide, the divide started in the conservative, white community, pushed by Fox News since the mid 2000's and continues today. Just read the threads on this forum. It all about divide.

If The VIllages, as a community, has anything to be embarrassed about (in reference to being embarassed by the recent video), it is these postings that continue here that should be embarrassing. Everyone acts like little kids that aren't getting their way.

In most cases, if our grandkids of the various posters would read what is put on here, they would tell us to knock it off as their generation is more tolerant.

[billethkid]

Agree.

Also I also find it odd the Pledge of Allegiance is conducted at the start of some club meetings here in the Villages. If the club's focus is centered around the country in some way, it makes sense. If I am going to a social group event, it seems out of place to have to have to 'commit my loyalty to the country flag'. One doesn't do that when they walk into a bar.

Let the arrogance fly.

Very simple. Many of us actually enjoy patriotic participation.
And have done so for very, VERY many years.

[thomp679]

Very simple. Many of us actually enjoy patriotic participation.
And have done so for very, VERY many years.

Many do and many don't. If the public event has a patriotic purpose, then do. If it doesn't, it shouldn't. Just because you have for many, many years is admirable to your dedication, but isn't a merit for the action for all to take.

[TexaninVA]

Many do and many don't. If the public event has a patriotic purpose, then do. If it doesn't, it shouldn't. Just because you have for many, many years is admirable to your dedication, but isn't a merit for the action for all to take.

Many are embarrassed by American patriotism... kind of makes some people, who self-identify as enlightened, wince. However, most people can decode the phraseology and underlying beliefs pretty easily

[valuemkt]

Because, like many well-intentioned gestures, it will predictably backfire and make us more divided than we are ... if that's even possible.

. and it was first recited by 500 school kids as a tribute to abraham lincoln on his birthday.. does that make you want to stand up and celebrate and then take a knee ?

[TexaninVA]

. and it was first recited by 500 school kids as a tribute to abraham lincoln on his birthday.. does that make you want to stand up and celebrate and then take a knee ?

That was then, and this is now. Quite different.

The point is it's being introduced as an alternative national anthem but only to one segment of the population which by definition, and probably design, is divisive. ... yes, I will definitely take a knee in protest.

I would also protest some rioter toppling a statue of Abraham Lincoln for that matter

[furbish]

In my opinion, the very best rendition of our National Anthem in my lifetime was done by Whitney Houston at Super Bowl XXV, January 1991. If I remember right, she sang it a capella. I have never heard better.

[J1ceasar]

Us Jews have have a catchy tune and I understand the Italians to a great sing along. When is it our turn? As downtrodden immigrants? Hey do the Indians sing ? I could use a good rain dance . :)

[Leadbone1]

I haven’t watch the NFL for four years and never will again. I hope a lot more people join me. Happy Fourth of July🇺🇸

[Leadbone1]

Francis Scott Key author of the star spangled banner was a well know slave owner. There is controversy over verse three with perhaps some reference to slavery but difficult to translate. FYI the melody is from an old British drinking song.

I’m sick of people trying to apply the self deprecating judgments that exist today to what was going on 200 years ago. Slavery was obviously not a good thing, but it was accepted and prevalent at that time. Slaves were owned in the South and in the North. Slaves were also owned by free blacks. You can’t diminish everything those people back then accomplished because they happened to participate in something that was prevalent at that time. No more than you should be judged forever from something you may have done in the past!

[Caruso9]

No doubt in my mind, when they play that song, they will be standing and maybe even crying. (Phonies). Then once the National Anthem is played, all will take a knee. I am waiting to see if they will remove the National Anthem.

[MandoMan]

Whoever wrote that the third verse is confusing is right. I’ve spent the past 43 years teaching students how to analyze poetry. Here is my take on it.
Verse:

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 first three lines asks what has happened to the British army that boasted the war would take away our home and country. In line four the answer is found: our soil was polluted by their foul footsteps, but that pollution has been washed out by their blood. “Hireling and slave” in line five refers to the British troops: mercenaries (hirelings) and drafted or “impressed” poor men (though they weren’t actually slaves, they were forced to serve against their will after being essentially kidnapped). So lines five and six mean that the British troops were running for their lives and dying because they couldn’t find a place to hide. Lines seven and eight concludes the tale of what happened to our enemies by saying our nation’s flag still waves over our land and home.

There! That wasn’t so hard, was it? (Laughing). Beyond question, it’s not an easy verse to understand. I think it would be hard to sing with feeling. It’s almost like singing in a foreign language. However, if you think about it, you’ll see that the first verse is nearly as difficult. Most people who have it memorized would probably have a hard time explaining what is happening, to whom, and when.

I love our National Anthem, but I don’t consider Key a good poet or lyricist. I don’t mind working to figure out a piece of poetry, but good lyric poetry meant to be sung is usually more straightforward so the singers have a better idea of what they are singing about.

Here is the third verse by the way, which is never sung.

It does have the word slave in it but it doesn't appear to me to be talking about African slaves specifically.



Will we be banning the Bible next because of the references to slaves?

I think that what some are missing here is that the US Flag was the flag of the north in the Civil War. It's the symbol of those who fought to end slavery.

I don't know how you can fight to get rid of the Stars and Bars and also the Star Spangled Banner?

[stadry]

listening to imus a few yrs ago, he asked warner wolf's ( then program sportscaster ) opinion of cowboy's upcoming success. dallas was in doldrums then & not having much success. surprised at wolf's optimistic response, imus queried him further.
wolf then expanded & said 10 arrests, 6 convictions - haven't watched the nfl since.'

prediction: including 'black anthem' will only lead to further racial division. white viewers will turn off the nfl in disgust. white viewers outnumber blacks & have more buying power. that, coupled w/mommy-daddy concerns re concussion probability, american football will fall out of favor as viewer pastime. no viewership = sponsor flight. sponsor flight = diminished ad revenue. no ad revenue = less $ for player paychecks/fines/bail $/lawyer fees

the nfl will have been a major contributor & cause of its own demise.

IF rap/hip-hop/ganster rap were not supported by whites, it would have no audience either.

just my opinion based only on economics !

[noslices1]

I agree and I'm tired of this pandering under the pretense of systemic racism.

Steve

On top of all this, now the Washington Redskins are now going to have to change their name, as FEDEX, who owns their stadium is putting lots of pressure and Nike has removed all of their team products and advertisers are being pressured to abandon them.

This will start a chain reaction that will force other teams to do the same, even if their names only SEEM racist like the Cleveland BROWNS, and for sure the Cleveland INDIANS. New England PATRIOTS would sound racist to SOME groups and if they protest enough they could get their way. Maybe just change ALL the teams to Numbers, like the Philadelphia 76 ers.

[billethkid]

It will continue as long as we the people allow it to happen!

[Bay Kid]

If we love our country and our history we are in trouble.

[blueash]

Why do POC feel that there is still a major issue with racism in this country? I present for you a facebook posting by an election officer in Mississippi (https://secondnexus.com/gail-welch-mississippi-elections-blacks). She likely will tell you she is not a racist and is perfectly capable of conducting an election without racial animus. She has not resigned.

Her explanation for her posting is just as bad.
"We've always in the past had whites really participating in registering to vote. So many people don't seem to be concerned about [voting]. This was an error on my part."

[valuemkt]

No doubt in my mind, when they play that song, they will be standing and maybe even crying. (Phonies). Then once the National Anthem is played, all will take a knee. I am waiting to see if they will remove the National Anthem.

So, they might be standing . they might be crying .. BUT will they be singing ?? Before Goodell announced it, how many blacks would have been able to answer the following questions: Is there a Black National Anthem ? What is the name of it ? Who is the author ? Can you sing the lyrics ?? It might be played as a spiritual in some Churches.. hmm there's another question .. what percentage of black FAMILIES attend church ?

oh by the way, The Star Spangled Banner is the National Anthem of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA .. Do Blacks in other countries recognize this as their Anthem ?
One NATION UNDER GOD .. Happy Fourth of July

[maggie1]

Written by the poet James Weldon Johnson and the composer John J. Johnson in 1900. It’s a hymn, but you can march to it or waltz to it, depending on how you accentuate it. Just in case you wondered what it sounds like and what the words are, here it is.

YouTube (https://youtu.be/ONgOH_tq7-Q)

So, when you are at the game, will you stand and salute or will you take a knee?

Pretty song, but by the time it ends (three minutes +), I'm afraid I'd be at the concession stand for another hot dog and beer. I wonder just how man of the athletes that now take a knee during the National Anthem even know the words to this song? And while we are destined to hear it before sporting events, and by repitition maybe even sing along to it, it should never be played before our National Anthem. We don't dip our flag to host countries during the Olympics, nor do we allow other flags to hoist higher than Old Glory.

[BlackhawksFan]

.
.
.
My bad. I always thought that "The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States.

National anthem
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A national anthem (also state anthem, national hymn, national song, etc.) is generally a patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. The majority of national anthems are marches or hymns in style.

It appears I slept through this in Civics class....>>>

NOW.... (talk about divisive IMO)>

From USA Today (article linked below)

NFL will play Black national anthem 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' before each Week 1 game


Starting with the nationally televised regular-season opener between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 10, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black national anthem, will be performed before every Week 1 kickoff, before "The Star-Spangled Banner," according to a person familiar with ongoing discussions.

NFL plans Black national anthem 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' in Week 1 (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2020/07/02/nfl-play-black-national-anthem-lift-every-voice-sing-openers/5368762002/)

The Star Spangled Banner was adopted by Congress in 1931 as the National Anthem.

[blueash]

So, they might be standing . they might be crying .. BUT will they be singing ?? Before Goodell announced it, how many blacks would have been able to answer the following questions: Is there a Black National Anthem ? What is the name of it ? Who is the author ? Can you sing the lyrics ?? It might be played as a spiritual in some Churches.. hmm there's another question .. what percentage of black FAMILIES attend church ?

oh by the way, The Star Spangled Banner is the National Anthem of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA .. Do Blacks in other countries recognize this as their Anthem ?
One NATION UNDER GOD .. Happy Fourth of July

How many Americans of any color know the words to the Star Spangled Banner, and I mean the first part which is played all the time. What are ramparts? How many people in the stands or on the field ever are seen singing during the playing of the anthem? No one has ever suggested the term Black National Anthem is meant to indicate that POC do not believe that the SSB is not our National Anthem. The term is used like Gator Nation is used for UF or Buckeye Nation for THE OSU. No one suggests that playing the alma mater of OSU or its fight song somehow means that people who are part of Buckeye Nation are not part of the USA.

The poem and song are not just sung in Black churches. It is No 519 in the United Methodist Hymnal. It has been used in Presbyterian white churches
(https://peweevalleypresbyterian.org/lift-every-voice-and-sing/) And even in white churches in Nebraska
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2riA8Y0IlNY)

As to whatever you are suggesting by wondering how often Black families go to church.. Really? Are you suggesting that looking at church attendance somehow tells you something about being good or bad people? White people go to church but black families don't which explains our national problems... right? Please look up church attendance by race in the US and come back with the answer to your question.

[charlesesampson]

Star Spangled Banner adopted as the National Anthem of the United States on March 3rd, 1931!!

[Heyitsrick]

One black professor had his own take on the "Black National Anthem". From a CNN (https://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/07/21/black.national.anthem/index.html) article:



To sing the 'black national anthem' suggests that black people are separatist and want to have their own nation. This means that everything Martin Luther King Jr. believed about being one nation gets thrown out the window.

...

Who has the right to decide for all black people what racial symbol they should have? Identity should be developed by the individual himself, not a group of people who think they know what is best for you.

...

We need to consider eliminating this alternative label of 'black national anthem' in order to promote unity. I know people will probably think that I'm a sellout, but I think it is important that African-Americans nationally understand that we should be moving towards racial cohesiveness.

[blueash]

Pretty song, but by the time it ends (three minutes +), I'm afraid I'd be at the concession stand for another hot dog and beer. I wonder just how man of the athletes that now take a knee during the National Anthem even know the words to this song? And while we are destined to hear it before sporting events, and by repitition maybe even sing along to it, it should never be played before our National Anthem. We don't dip our flag to host countries during the Olympics, nor do we allow other flags to hoist higher than Old Glory.

You are going to hear it before the first regular season game only. Once unless you watch several first games from different teams. As to your suggestion that it should never be played before the SSB, you have it wrong. Example when a National Hockey League game is played in the US, they play Oh Canada first and the SSB last. The SSB is the last event before the beginning of the game. That explains the old joke What are the last 2 words of the SSB? Play Ball.

[DeanFL]

You are going to hear it before the first regular season game only. Once unless you watch several first games from different teams.
.
.
.
Wanna make a bet that it will stop at 'first game only"?
.
.
.

[TexaninVA]

Whoever wrote that the third verse is confusing is right. I’ve spent the past 43 years teaching students how to analyze poetry. Here is my take on it.
Verse:

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 first three lines asks what has happened to the British army that boasted the war would take away our home and country. In line four the answer is found: our soil was polluted by their foul footsteps, but that pollution has been washed out by their blood. “Hireling and slave” in line five refers to the British troops: mercenaries (hirelings) and drafted or “impressed” poor men (though they weren’t actually slaves, they were forced to serve against their will after being essentially kidnapped). So lines five and six mean that the British troops were running for their lives and dying because they couldn’t find a place to hide. Lines seven and eight concludes the tale of what happened to our enemies by saying our nation’s flag still waves over our land and home.

There! That wasn’t so hard, was it? (Laughing). Beyond question, it’s not an easy verse to understand. I think it would be hard to sing with feeling. It’s almost like singing in a foreign language. However, if you think about it, you’ll see that the first verse is nearly as difficult. Most people who have it memorized would probably have a hard time explaining what is happening, to whom, and when.

I love our National Anthem, but I don’t consider Key a good poet or lyricist. I don’t mind working to figure out a piece of poetry, but good lyric poetry meant to be sung is usually more straightforward so the singers have a better idea of what they are singing about.

Excellent and informed post :coolsmiley:

[ithos]

I have never been a fan of the Star Spangled Banner as it is way too difficult to sing. As a poster mentioned earlier it was designed to be sung by accomplished singers.

The lyrics are not as relatable as those in other patriotic songs such as America the Beautiful. The first verse was inspired by one battle in the War of 1812.

This post said it the best.

"I love our National Anthem, but I don’t consider Key a good poet or lyricist. I don’t mind working to figure out a piece of poetry, but good lyric poetry meant to be sung is usually more straightforward so the singers have a better idea of what they are singing about."

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/1797433-post106.html

Regarding the kneelers, it is time to give the Cancel Culture extremists a big dose of their own medicine.

No more support at any level of any sport or organized event that repudiates a country that while far from perfect, has by its founding and subsequent history, established an unprecedented quantum advancement of liberty for peoples of all backgrounds the World over.

[blueash]

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 first three lines asks what has happened to the British army that boasted the war would take away our home and country. In line four the answer is found: our soil was polluted by their foul footsteps, but that pollution has been washed out by their blood. “Hireling and slave” in line five refers to the British troops: mercenaries (hirelings) and drafted or “impressed” poor men (though they weren’t actually slaves, they were forced to serve against their will after being essentially kidnapped).



Most readers of Key's work don't agree with your assessment of the meaning of the word slave which you suggest is a substitute for impressed poor men. Key had a good command of language and the word means what it means. Knowing history helps. During the war of 1812 the British offered freedom to any escaped slave who would fight with the British side against the Americans. They were not paid a salary which would have made them hirelings. Instead they were in fact escaped slaves, just like Key wrote. And Key makes the point that escaped slaves will not escape the grave. The British did not have a mercenary force in the war of 1812 unless you include the Native American tribes which fought on their side. Key uses hirelings as an insult to the British soldier suggesting he is only doing his job for money not out of British patriotism. Note that Key never mentions the blood of the British soldier separately.

[TexaninVA]

Why do POC feel that there is still a major issue with racism in this country? I present for you a facebook posting by an election officer in Mississippi (https://secondnexus.com/gail-welch-mississippi-elections-blacks). She likely will tell you she is not a racist and is perfectly capable of conducting an election without racial animus. She has not resigned.

Her explanation for her posting is just as bad.
"We've always in the past had whites really participating in registering to vote. So many people don't seem to be concerned about [voting]. This was an error on my part."

To no one's great surprise, there are still racist views in the US. Who could have guessed?

The question is .... is there "systemic" racism? The answer is no. The focus on the former is almost like some type of white guilt porn.

By the way, which countries are not racist and clearly better on the race issue than the US?? What are some examples ?

China is off the charts racist compared to the US.

Here are only three, of many, examples:

McDonald'''s apologizes after restaurant in China bans black people (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/mcdonald-s-apologizes-after-restaurant-china-bans-black-people-n1184616)

Chinese city targets Africans in coronavirus fight - Los Angeles Times (https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-04-16/china-coronavirus-black-african-evictions)

YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0MGRQI-nH0&t=1s)

[Byte1]

Calling a nice song "The Black National Anthem" is once again disenfranchising the minorities. Instead of saying that "National Anthem" INCLUDES them, someone is saying that they are still not assimilated into our American culture. Whether or not the so called "Black National Anthem" is nice, does not matter. Separate bathrooms for Blacks was also meant to be a nice gesture, and how did that go?
Still wondering what the "Chinese National Anthem" will be. Perhaps: YouTube (https://youtu.be/78FgFp1Gi9I)
Maybe we can get the Tijuana brass to play something for the Mexican national anthem.
I am sure that blacks will not realize that the NFL is being condescending to them. Instead of integration into American society, they are once again segregated by supposedly well meaning white folk.
Pretty song? Sure, but it ain't a black national anthem. THE American Anthem is inclusive of ALL American citizens, not just the white.

[dewilson58]

A prospective.



The Hodgetwins - NFL To Play "BLACK NATIONAL ANTHEM" Before National Anthem | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/thehodgetwins/videos/319333562421689)

[jimh24444@gmail.com]

Let's see their own national anthem. Next their own country or autonomous zone?

[anothersteve]

A prospective.



The Hodgetwins - NFL To Play "BLACK NATIONAL ANTHEM" Before National Anthem | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/thehodgetwins/videos/319333562421689)

And a very good one.

Steve

[Byte1]

Play it during half time if it is that important. If you don't like the National Anthem that we have been standing for and singing for decades, that's your problem. Once again, liberals want to destroy something good about America because "they" don't like it. Tear down and destroy history, so that you can feel like you actually mattered. It seems like that is the only way some bitter folks that made bad decisions in their past think they can make up for it. Destroy America. FORCE something on the Majority to show how powerful you are. Make you feel good?
Don't worry about the NFL games this year and what national anthem will be played, because at the rate the protesters are spreading covid19, there won't be any fans in the stands to sing or stand to any music. And the channel selector can easily be changed to the old Black and White movie channel without standing up. Miserable people can change the written history of our country, words might be eliminated, but you will still be miserable people.

[fdpaq0580]

After eight pages of this, my take away is that the the two major points of contention are, referring to this song/poem as the "black national anthem", and that it is going to be played along with the U. S. National Anthem.
Some see it as pandering to one minority and by doing so make it political and divisive. The statement by Professor Timothy Askew was shown in an earlier post and he thinks it is, and I agree.
The lyrics to the song, imho, are lovely and, this just my opinion, make a great hymn for church. As to what is appropriate at a nationally televised sporting event, I believe that any focusing on one group, racial, political, religion, etc, is not appropriate.
Having an opening prayer, for example, would be problematic since there are many different beliefs. Any faith or lack of could feel excluded and interpret it as blatant prejudice. How divisive!
Sporting events are for entertainment and, imho, not a proper or productive venue to express or engage in politics. Sports are and have been one of the venues that allow people of all backgrounds to come together and cheer together, eat and drink together and share in a common experience. Let's keep it that way for all our sakes, for to do otherwise will have a negative effect. There is enough negativity, and it needs to end.

Stay well. Stay safe. Peace!

[ithos]

Again the BLM movement is supported by most Americans including most white Americans. For those who believe that white people agreeing with BLM is a rarity, your information bubble is too small.

So I don't see many people, although there were some, who objected because this honored one of many segments of American society, the objection was because it honored Black Americans. The poem reflects on how far we have come and how much suffering there has been but with perseverance and the help of God the future is bright. Obviously there still is work to be done.

Please take some time and research the background of BLM the organization.

We are anti-capitalist:
We believe and understand that Black people will never achieve liberation under the current global racialized capitalist system.

ABOUT US – M4BL (https://m4bl.org/about-us/)
Movement for Black Lives - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movement_for_Black_Lives)


They are a radical leftwing extremist group who don't give a damn about improving the lives of blacks or any other group. They are simply opportunists who believe the ends justify the means. And the ends is an overthrow of our Constitutional Republic.

And if Republicans are so racists why do so many of them support stopping abortion which kills a much higher percentage of black babies.

over 44 million abortions since the 1973 Roe vs Wade Supreme Court ruling, 19 million black babies were aborted. African Americans are just under 13 percent of United States population.

Abortion: The overlooked tragedy for black Americans – Arizona Capitol Times (https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2020/02/25/abortion-the-overlooked-tragedy-for-black-americans/)

[Heyitsrick]

A professor of history at Stevenson University (https://www.stevenson.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/history/blog-news-events/racism-or-rhetoric-francis-scott-key-and-the-defence-of-fort-mchenry) has done quite a bit of research into Key's poem, trying to ascertain what Key meant by the controversial third stanza's slave and hireling wording.

What he found was other mentions of these terms back in run up to the War of 1812 - including in a poem written a full year before Key's:



If you search Newspapers.com for "hireling and slave" your initial results will uncover current articles discussing our problems with Key's words in the National Anthem. However, if you narrow the search to Key's time, 1780-1816, you will see that slave and hireling were each used in a pejorative fashion to describe free people carrying out the wishes of a more powerful person. This is similar to China's Communist newspapers calling our South Vietnamese allies "running dogs" or "puppets" during the Vietnam War.

As proof that all Key did in his third verse was employ a rhetorical device, I submit the following evidence. In 1813, in the midst of the War of 1812, and a full year before Key penned the "Defence of Fort M'Henry," another poet used the words hirelings and slaves in a poem to describe the King's soldiers during the Revolutionary War at the Battle of Bunker Hill. In the poem "The Death of Warren" from the Trenton True American, published on 15 May 1813 in the Lancaster Intelligencer and Journal, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the poet describes:

",,,,,When tyrant George assailed our shore,

and thousands of his slaves sent o'er,

With power to kill, inflict each ill.

Our towns to burn that we might mourn.

And make us to his sway return.

A sway that was slavish and foreign."

The poet continues in a later verse:

"Now How(e), who had the chief command

of George's troops within our land,

Addresses thus his hireling band:

'To stand us they are not able.

Behold (he cries) the motly host,

And quickly drive them from their post;

And as you live no quarter give,

Mind no prayer, not one spare;

For vengeance we will have that's rare.

And destroy every Yankee Rebel.'

...

Based on the widespread use of hireling and slave as a an epithet in the US press during the lead-up to and waging of the War of 1812, I believe it is entirely credible that Key used hireling and slave in that fashion. His poem was not meant to arouse anything but patriotic fervor through recognition of Baltimore's defense. The narrative of the US David defeating the British military Goliath was central to his theme, not communicating his beliefs about chattel slavery as practiced in the Chesapeake region. With Bible societies on the rise in the US as well as a rising tide of abolitionism, such a display of racism would have caused issues both in the North as well as Baltimore. The third largest city in the US at the time with the largest population of free Blacks in the US, free Blacks--and enslaved Blacks-- who had just helped save the city, Baltimore was in no mood for racist rhetoric the day after its major victory.

...

At the outset of this piece I suggested that the solutions found by the humanities to many problems are those that just seem real and authentic. The solutions that spin a narrative that best seem to fit the facts and context as known at that time are what we seek in the humanities. Change the context or the known facts and you may decide on a different explanation and solution for the problem. In this rather tedious piece I have presented the evidence as I know it and tried to place it within the context of which I am aware. Based on that, I believe Key simply used the phrase "hireling and slave" as a rhetorical device in his poem Defence of Fort M'Henry in order to describe the British Army and Navy repelled from Baltimore's door in September 1814. In the true spirit of the humanities, however, if you provide me evidence that changes what I know, I just might change my mind.

[Baywayric]

This does it for me, every time!

Air Force Teams Up with Lee Greenwood for Patriotic God Bless the USA Performance | Military.com (https://www.military.com/video/air-force-teams-lee-greenwood-patriotic-god-bless-usa-performance)

Happy 4th!

[TexaninVA]

Please take some time and research the background of BLM the organization.

We are anti-capitalist:
We believe and understand that Black people will never achieve liberation under the current global racialized capitalist system.

ABOUT US – M4BL (https://m4bl.org/about-us/)
Movement for Black Lives - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movement_for_Black_Lives)


They are a radical leftwing extremist group who don't give a damn about improving the lives of blacks or any other group. They are simply opportunists who believe the ends justify the means. And the ends is an overthrow of our Constitutional Republic.

[/url]

Excellent post.

It's actually rather amazing how uniformed "Champagne Bolsheviks" are with respect to BLM. Most are guilt ridden white liberals who say they support BLM but they can't make a coherent case for why they do ... although they can be quick to call you a racist if you disagree.

There are only two explanations I can think of.

They either a) have zero knowledge about what BLM actually advocates except that makes them feel good, or b) they support what's advocated but are not yet comfortable coming out and saying so in public.

Am I missing a third explanation maybe?


...

[barbnick]

Next we will be saluting a BLM flag and singing Kumbayah. The NFL players today are overpaid prima donnas not fit to walk in the cleats of the players of the past. As for the NBA I’ll take Bob Cousy any day.
Wow!!

[aa1949a]

let the NFL and NBA pay for all the damage the blm did with their looting. Some were peaceful.

[Byte1]

Best rendition of the National Anthem

YouTube (https://youtu.be/DHLlwiLebkc)

[Snowprint]

It’s great to know we are free to mock the national anthem or burn the flag without fear of imprisonment here in America. That’s not true everywhere. China, for example, locks people up for protesting the totalitarian regime. There are those who want to emulate China in positions of power here. Don’t allow wanna be dictators destroy what makes America great!

[TexaninVA]

Best rendition of the National Anthem

YouTube (https://youtu.be/DHLlwiLebkc)

Best ever indeed! And very creative. :bigbow:

I think I should try some Black Rifle coffee ...

[TexaninVA]

It’s great to know we are free to mock the national anthem or burn the flag without fear of imprisonment here in America. That’s not true everywhere. China, for example, locks people up for protesting the totalitarian regime. There are those who want to emulate China in positions of power here. Don’t allow wanna be dictators destroy what makes America great!

People can protest peacefully all they want .... but if someone riots or burns or defaces statues etc, they should go to jail -- that includes burning the American flag.

If someone wants to burn a flag, I recommend the Chinese or Russian flag. Maybe the Iranian flag. Go for it.

[Fredman]

The NFL could be making a big mistake!
What happens when some fans refuse to stand for the Black National Anthem?

In any case. HAPPY 4th!
Enjoy your independence....while we still have it.

I won’t stand

[TexaninVA]

I won’t stand

Me neither ... in fact, since it's so fashionable these days, perfect time to take a knee in protest.

...

[Snowprint]

People can protest peacefully all they want .... but if someone riots or burns or defaces statues etc, they should go to jail -- that includes burning the American flag.

If someone wants to burn a flag, I recommend the Chinese or Russian flag. Maybe the Iranian flag. Go for it.
It’s your right, as Judge Antonin Scalia wrote in the Supreme Court decision that allows flag burningI’m not a fan of flag burning, but I am proud to live in a country that says it’s your constitutional to do so.
As the Beatles said...”But if you go around carrying pictures of Chairman Mao, you ain’t going make it with anyone anyhow...”

[Byte1]

I think God Bless America is the perfect warmup to the Star Spangled Banner. Excellent idea.

Perhaps "God Bless America" would be a good Black National Anthem."

I still see our American National Anthem as being EVERYONE's song. I really feel that someone is insulting Blacks by telling them that they get to have their own Black National Anthem. Kind of hard to expect anyone of any other color being asked to stand for a segregated Anthem. Next thing you know, folks will start asking for ALL Black schools. I am embarrassed for the NFL players to have to go out on the field knowing that Black players are supposed to smile as they are condescended to by rich white owners that do not consider them inclusive to the National Anthem. Guess what goes around, comes around as they say. They can thank CK for his making Sports a political statement.

[TomPerrett]

Too many people are to concerned about things that haven’t happened.
If you take care of the present And stop the fear of what the future might bring you would be to busy to feat what ain’t there. Remember the boogie man, he wasent real either.

[TexaninVA]

Too many people are to concerned about things that haven’t happened.
If you take care of the present And stop the fear of what the future might bring you would be to busy to feat what ain’t there. Remember the boogie man, he wasent real either.

I think that was intended to be profound ... ignore problems and retreat into bliss. Where's my yellow stickie pad so I can make a note??

[Jimmy Lee]

I’m laughing. Yesterday I saw a meme on Facebook complaining that NASCAR would no longer begin each race with the national anthem and a prayer. I love the TV series “Friday Night Lights”. In that show, though, the team had a group prayer in the locker room before every game, led by the coach. I remember the scene in the great World War II movie “Catch—22” where Buck Henry asks the “padre” to offer “a nice snappy prayer” before a bombing mission, and when it drags on, Colonel Cathcart butts in and asks God for nice tight bombing patterns that will destroy the enemy. I remember the old Bob Dylan song “With God on Or Side.”

The entertainment industry was heavily inserting anti-religious jokes and memes into their movies and music in the 1960's and 70's. Religion is like kryptonite for Marxists so they've been using their influence in pop culture to denigrate it. As time goes on it's become evermore in-you-face until today we have our churches empty and our cities on fire.

[tophcfa]

Too many people are to concerned about things that haven’t happened.
If you take care of the present And stop the fear of what the future might bring you would be to busy to feat what ain’t there. Remember the boogie man, he wasent real either.

The problem with that theory is that many of us have children and grandchildren, so yes, we are very concerned about what the future will bring.