The African American National Anthem
By chrystalia
@chrystalia (1208)
Tucson, Arizona
December 7, 2012 9:39pm CST
Merriam Webster defines a "national anthem" as:
A patriotic song or hymn, especially: one officially adopted and played or sung on formal occasions as a mark of loyalty to a nation.
Some of us have probably been to an international sports event,where the national anthem of the visiting country is played first, then our own. At the Olympics, our anthem is played when one of our athletes wins a medal.
Lift Every Voice and Sing, is the African American National Anthem. It was used in spoken form as the opening to the inaugural benediction of our POTUS in 2009. In 2008, when a jazz singer was asked to sing the NATIONAL ANTHEM at an event in Denver, she used Lift Every Voice and Sing-- to the tune of the Star Spangled Banner.
And in a school in West Virginia earlier this week, they played it--when they usually play the Pledge of Allegiance. And they apparently DIDN'T play the Star Spangled Banner.
I am offended. Well, granted, there are more than enough African Americans to form a nation. But they AREN'T one--supposedly they are AMERICANS. Furthermore, I'm Irish/French Native American--WHERE IS MY ANTHEM? Why to they have an anthem, and I don't? But more to the point, why is ANY anthem other than the official one being played in a public school?
I could discuss racism here--but that is my next discussion. I could discuss the sorry state of the pledge of allegiance--but that is another discussion as well. This discussion is about how this particular aspect of our heritage, of our national identity, is being subverted. This isn't like a sports team borrowing someone else's fuzzy mascot creature--a national anthem has meaning, tradition and protocol attached to it. I see this as a crass, inappropriate political statement on the part of the principal--who by the way was reprimanded for cancelling the pledge, but NOT for playing this "anthem" in a public school.
We are ONE Nation--indivisible, to quote the original pledge. That someone let a public personality get away with substituting the words to our national anthem at an official function with other words is disgusting. That it was allowed at all is yet another sign that our society has degenerated to a point where the description "mediocre" would be a compliment.
I am not a rabid patriot, by any means--but some things have meaning, like our flag, the pledge, and the anthem, and I tend to get a little upset when someone decides to do the the politically correct fandango on them.
Do they play our anthem in Kenyen schools? Or Canadian schools? Hmmm. I doubt it. But I guess they care more about their symbols, and the meaning behind them, than we do.
2 people like this
7 responses
@michie198 (32)
•
8 Dec 12
I think that you have every right to state your opinion and I do agree that at a public school the star bangled banner should be played. However, it seems that you are downgrading your very valid concern with statements that just make you seem bitter. You said, "...supposedly they [African-Americans] are AMERICANS". There has been a long issue with "hyphenated Americans" and questioning their patriotism but unless the actual African-American students voted or requested to only play this anthem you cannot put the blame on them and then question their loyalty. Also, African-Americans have an anthem because we made one during a time when we were largely looked over as being apart of the society. We banded together and created what we wanted for ourselves. If you want an anthem go put in the same work as civil rights leaders did. Once again, you have a valid complaint that at a public school the national anthem should be played. I agree with you and I am African-American and have family in the military and law enforcement. Just make sure to focus on the positives of the national anthem and not trying to downgrade the other anthem, it detracts from your argument.
2 people like this
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
8 Dec 12
I actually don't want an anthem for myself--that was the point I was trying to make. My heritage includes a great deal of discrimination and social inequality as well, in France, in Ireland, and here, when my ancestors got here. They worked pretty hard to get away from that--including some of my Iroquois relatives, who have left the reservation behind--finally. America now is supposed to be about inclusion, isn't it? We're supposed to be working on working together, in my opinion. My Irish relatives didn't have civil rights leaders--at least not many in America, and Ireland is still a mess these days anyway. The civil rights movement was all about everyone being seen as equal, as American--not African American, Irish American, etc. That's why this nation is a melting pot, so to speak. But melting pots don't work all that well when the ingredients don't blend in.
I am NOT saying that anyone should ignore their heritage, by any means. I'm danged proud to be Irish, and French, and Indian. But I am American first, and heaven help the person that tries to classify me otherwise--or, as has happened in the past, try to use one of my "race cards" to convince me I'm NOT as American as anyone else. Now, more than ever, people need to be able to move past the past--so we can work on the future.
@hoseasmate (720)
• United States
11 Dec 12
I define this behavior as the dumbing down of American citizens. We already have the dumbing down of the children in school who manage to survive 12 years in the educational system and cannot read, cannot write, and cannot do basic math. College now must admit students that have to take remedial courses that they pay for and cannot count as credit toward graduation in order to just become eligible to begin learning at the higher educational institute. So, in order to become a one world government, with a one world banking and one world religion, the American's must be rid of their fierce independence and strong country loyalty. Really, another anthem? I, too, am not a racist but is there a reason that I find Spanish all over this country? Stores signs are in Spanish, drivers manuals and other governmental forms are in Spanish, etc. Okay, so we have just as many other immigrants that English is their second language and we don't provide them signs and manuals and forms in their language. Our great nation is fracturing into African American, Spanish, and other segregated groups that have no loyalty to anyone or anything other than furthering their own agenda.
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
11 Dec 12
I agree with you--it used to be a requirement of citizenship that an immigrant be able to read, write and conduct business and speak English--apparently that isn't the case any more, for some reason. In Arizona, they tried to pass a law making English the official language--it didn't work, of course. On one hand, schools push "inclusion" but at the same time they "celebrate cultural diversity". While the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive, the current push for celebrating our differences only causes divisiveness, not unity, at a time when we desperately need unity. Our school system is a disgrace, from what I can see. It boggled my mind that my older son had graduated from high school--the kid can't spell his way out of a paper bag.
English should be the official language, and all government things should ONLY be in English--spending tons of money and resources translating everything is ridiculous. Many other countries require language integration in immigrants, because it is important. The point of moving somewhere is you like it better than where you are--so you should be willing and eager to meet the standards for where you move to. Our melting pot isn't working very well, because we aren't sticking to the standards we used to have for immigrants.
@myscreen_name (64)
• United States
22 Dec 12
Round of applause,I couldntve have said it any better myself.
@myscreen_name (64)
• United States
22 Dec 12
That extra have just doesn't belong lol.Sorry,eating and replying at the same time.
@mzz663 (2772)
• United States
9 Dec 12
United we stand, divided we fall. Divide and conquer.
My son and i were discussing something the other day that kind of pertains to what you are saying. I guess if we all have titles, I would have to be an Irish-German-Native American-American, but of course I just call myself an American because I don't have duel citizenship and I wasn't born in another country.
He was wondering why there were no other races that use their heritage as their title. I don't hear anyone else ever say they're Italian-American, Asian-American, Spanish-American or any others. To me, saying that one is African-American is a political title to help the United States citizens to be Un-united, divided and conquered, eventually creating another civil war.
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
9 Dec 12
In Arizona, a lot of people call themselves Mexican American or Latino/Latina--but then again, a lot of them also belong to La raza as well. I am proud of my heritage, but I am an American--if someone wants the details, I provide them. It seems to be an identity thing--I remember they did it in the 60's and 70's too--but to me it also makes no sense at all. Why go to all the trouble to be "equal"--then turn around and espouse a label that sets you apart? Lots of things make little or no sense to me, and this is one of them.
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
9 Dec 12
It is a shame that a group of people in my country feel the need to denigrate my country and pretend that they are better than the country in which they live. Yes, they are denigrating everyone in this country that does not claim to be "african americans"...What is an 'african american'...there is no such thing. Many of these people have lineages in this country that go back further than the rest of us. I have a very rich heritage that I am very proud of. I still know all of my ancestors traditions and still follow them, BUT, I call myself and AMERICAN because this is what I am.
If I wished to exalt my ancestral lineage, then I would go to a country of my ancestors to live...Why don't these 'african americans' go back to their ancestral homes if it is so great? They will not admit which country they are actually from that is why. They all claim to be descended from royalty etc. In reality, they are mostly descended from the mandingo tribe, which was a tribe of slaves not royalty. All of the other tribes in africa used them for slaves and then sold their slaves to the english to transport to the West to use for cheap labor.
How dare they sing a bogus national anthem in our schools...
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
10 Dec 12
Well, I will say that I have certain...deep...reservations...about our current POTUS 
. I agree it is an abomination, and I was disgusted that the singer was allowed to continue what she started--I would have had her off that stage so fast her head spun--and if she had been paid, she would have been hauled into court if she didn't give the money back.
. I agree it is an abomination, and I was disgusted that the singer was allowed to continue what she started--I would have had her off that stage so fast her head spun--and if she had been paid, she would have been hauled into court if she didn't give the money back.@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
9 Dec 12
My issue is how dare someone substitute the words of our national anthem at a public event, an official occasion at which they were asked to sing the National Anthem--and be allowed to get away with it--then record "their" version on a record album? Check out those stories. I was boggled. The school has, for the moment, stopped playing the other anthem on Fridays--but the fact that they were is disturbing to me. My ancestry is pretty danged good--but I certainly have no desire to go live in France, or Ireland--or on the reservation with my oppressed, discouraged and downtrodden relatives. I, too am an American.
We have so few symbols--our Anthem, our Pledge and our Flag being the main ones--and while freedom of speech and expression are important, guarding those symbols is of equal importance, to me.
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
10 Dec 12
It is an ABOMINATION... But, consider who is leading OUR country and his beliefs, his outlook for OUR country, and his denigration of AMERICA...What can you expect..especially when our residents will not put a stop to it, because they are too egocentric to even care.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
9 Dec 12
I think you have a lot of valid points where separation is concerned. The thing is that no matter how we try to overcome these social and racial separations, society continues to support them in many ways. People sometimes seem to fall into place. I believe it is great to be proud of a heritage but I think that if we are to be the United States..it is imperative that we have something that holds us all together at some point. I suppose our anthem is one of those things that could be consider some glue.
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
10 Dec 12
I definitely consider it a form of glue, myself--but like the flag,and the pledge, it tends to become fodder for people to twist and denigrate under the pretext of freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Society does continue to support racism--especially those parts of society that benefit from racism. People are so frightened of being labelled "racist" that they will actively discriminate in the other direction--as does our government--to avoid it. The race card is a wonderful form of extortion.
Of course, by definition, a "minority" group CANNOT be "racist"--says so in the dictionary, somewhere. But then again, in another few years, I'll officially be a minority! YAY!
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
9 Dec 12
You know my opinion on things like this by now, I hope.
They must destroy any nationalistic feelings so we can be 'assimilated' into the NWO. 
They must divide, demoralize, demean, rewrite, substitute and critisize, else we all rise up TOGETHER, UNITED, and stop them.
They must divide, demoralize, demean, rewrite, substitute and critisize, else we all rise up TOGETHER, UNITED, and stop them.
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
9 Dec 12
No, deb--I had no idea you felt that way! For shame! .
I read when I was digging about this that some witch named Roseann Barr had completely disrespected the anthem when she sang it some years ago--and somehow still managed to have a career afterwards, as well. What disturbs me even more than the public school aspect is the singer in 2008 that was asked to sing the National Anthem at a public event--in Denver, I think-- and she substituted the words to this song for the original words, in an official capacity--and wasn't immediately stopped. And then made a record album later with the altered version. When someone is asked to sing the anthem at an event--if they don't respect it, or believe in it, they should decline to do so--they should NEVER be permitted to use our anthem, and the occasion, to "exercise freedom of speech or expression". Even if everything else is allowed, that shouldn't be.
.
I read when I was digging about this that some witch named Roseann Barr had completely disrespected the anthem when she sang it some years ago--and somehow still managed to have a career afterwards, as well. What disturbs me even more than the public school aspect is the singer in 2008 that was asked to sing the National Anthem at a public event--in Denver, I think-- and she substituted the words to this song for the original words, in an official capacity--and wasn't immediately stopped. And then made a record album later with the altered version. When someone is asked to sing the anthem at an event--if they don't respect it, or believe in it, they should decline to do so--they should NEVER be permitted to use our anthem, and the occasion, to "exercise freedom of speech or expression". Even if everything else is allowed, that shouldn't be.@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
9 Dec 12
wellll...the Tea Party happened in my hometown (and involved a relative or two)...it was an economic and political statement. When in doubt, hit the enemy in the wallet, so to speak. An act of terror? Destruction of property--definitely. Vandalism--definitely. They weren't out to kill people, however--they just killed tea time, so I don't consider it an act of terror, in the true sense. If by "act of terror" we meant "designed to incite fear" as opposed to "driven by hate and designed to incite fear though murder" then yes, it would be. The Sons of Liberty didn't really hate the British--though they hated their taxation policies and government policies. But I think they probably DID want to "scare" them--and show they were serious.
Would I report it to the authorities? If they were murdering innocent people, British women and children, and civilian men without provocation--heck yes, relatives or not. But for sneaking on board a ship, in the middle of the night disguised as Indians, and tossing the tea overboard--given the political and economic circumstances involved--heck no. I'd be helping.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
9 Dec 12
Roseann is a witch with a capital B. I had it out with her once on twitter. She is rude, obnoxious and anti everything I hold dear. I told her so too.
there is a concerted effort to demean those who are patriotic in this country coming from the leftist crowd. I saw on FB a post that showed a excerpt from a lesson that characterized the original Boston Tea Party event as an act of terror. Can you IMAGINE, and of course, the suggested remarks for the teacher were....would you report something like this to the authorities? We are in for some deep doo doo in the future if that is being done nation wide.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
8 Dec 12
This is a natural consequence of the nation encouraging the division of races and cultures. It began with the self esteem movement that encouraged everyone to not just be proud of their heritage but to take it on as their identity over their identity as an American. The trend toward hyphenated Americans like African-Americans, Irish-Americans, etc., just pries our sense of national pride apart. A separate national anthem is a natural part of the progression of dividing the nation into groups that are more easily managed and controlled. Plus, it's easier to pit one faction against another when needed, as in these last two elections when envy and resentment were used to encourage division of socioeconomic classes.
United we stand, divided we fall. It's a recipe for overthrowing a nation that is working very well.
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
9 Dec 12
I would agree with that. I have nothing at all against the song itself-- it's beautiful. I do have a problem with people putting the words to that song to the tune of our national anthem, and then singing it at an official function--and not getting in trouble for doing so (as happened in 2008). And then recording their version on a record album (happened in 2011, think). I don't like anyone disrespecting the national anthem--I read about that Roseann Barr woman, and I can't believe she had any sort of career, or anything, after what she did. I am also surprised the atheist crowd didn't protest this being played in schools, because of the God word being in the song and a part of the point--they have been trying to get rid of America the beautiful for that reason for a while now. But oh well.
