Not standing for the Star Spangled Banner.
By mommaj
@mommaj (23112)
United States
September 10, 2016 6:42am CST
It's your right to not stand. That is America "Freedom of Speech". I do wonder why though. I understand you think the song is prejudice. Here is my take.
1. The "song" wasn't a song, it was written as a poem. The poem may have offended you, that is why only certain parts were used as the song. Sing the song! Is that offensive?
2. You look really good for a 200+ year old free slave. At your age you shouldn't stand for the song. I am sorry that someone 100+ years ago was hard on you. Just remember not to be hard on those now who had nothing to do with your life.
3. America didn't start slavery. Slaves were brought from Europe and Africa. The new colonies may have been part of the problem by continuing the tradition, but again the slaves were brought to America as part of the trade.
4. I guess you have nothing better to do than to insult your nation. It's okay, that is your right. It is called the National anthem to represent all of America. The words are the words that we sing not the ones that we don't.
5. Keep in mind the words were also about the slaves that were fighting with BRITAIN against the colonists, not about slaves in general. If you had an enemy in war you might think bad things of them as well!
6. Why aren't you mad at BRITAIN? No offense. Just curious here.
7. Guess you are appreciating the freedom of speech that song also stands for. Good thing you are protesting now and not 150 years ago! Maybe you should think about that!
This is a rant but please share your thoughts. Am I looking at this wrong? Should we have no National Anthem? Should we have no pride in our country?
10 people like this
8 responses
@vandana7 (100540)
• India
10 Sep 16
@TheHorse .. Political aspirant...or wants some more fame perhaps...but disrespecting flag is carrying it too far...no need to bring country, or flag or other symbols included fellow americans... ...that should not be included in it...a person has a right to criticize something out of personal experience.
Out here, we have something weird going on. You know me to be vegan I presume. But I am against beef ban in my country. That creates kind of these people went against the system and ate beef. Come on! Why ban only in our country and that too in some regions? Do people have to go out of country to eat beef? I could be lynched for this...but I would still say it is wrong. It is not as if the person is eating human being! Right to eat in this country should be same as elsewhere in the world.
4 people like this
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
11 Sep 16
I like what I saw the USA Hockey coach said - If you don't stand for the anthem, you will not play the game. I find nothing offensive about the anthem, what I do find offensive is when people disrespect the flag and the national anthem. People want respect, but they aren't willing to give it in return. Good point that slavery was 200+ years ago and there aren't any slaves today. I really don't see where the song has anything to do with slavery, which by the way, there were a lot of free black people during the Revolutionary War who volunteered to fight for America same as everyone else who fought for America. There were also black land owners during that time in history. So there is no reason to hold a grudge against America. Nobody has done anything to black American's since Abraham Lincoln emancipated slavery. Oh yes, I'm sure there was with the KKK and all, and there was a lot of prejudice up until Martin Luther King started fighting for Civil Rights. We are all one country, and we should behave as such. It's time and past time to give up the slave mentality.
Just saying.
3 people like this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
14 Sep 16
@just4him AMEN! I have never liked to hear gossip and if you are telling me about something that happened to someone else that is suppose to be negative from year ago, it's just as bad as gossip. We know slavery happened because it was taught in history. No one knows how bad or how good the slaves were treated. Remember, most of them were treated decent. Do you put dents in your car everyday? Well slaves were treated like property so not all owners wanted to damage them.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (220116)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Sep 16
There was still Jim Crow and such like in the South. But that is now a couple of generations ago. I do feel terrible for those kids who discover the joy of learning and are pulled back by peers who tell them they're "acting white." What is a parent who is "trying" to do?
2 people like this
@vandana7 (100540)
• India
10 Sep 16
I understand how it is...it is like that here too. In Pakistan they go hammer and tongs against any Pakistani including Baluchistanis speaking against anything not necessarily in favor of India. That is termed as anti-national, god knows how. But in India, if somebody says we will break down this nation into pieces, it needs to be let go, because it is freedom of speech. Weird notions for sure.
3 people like this
@hora_fugit (5862)
• India
10 Sep 16
We have had our peculiarities too. The recent sedition charge, for example.
3 people like this
@vandana7 (100540)
• India
10 Sep 16
@hora_fugit ... Oh I was referring to exactly that...lol
3 people like this
@amadeo (111938)
• United States
11 Sep 16
Look we were brought up to stand and salute our anthem.
I for one would not support this person.I am disabled veterans of two branches.Army and Navy.
When this is played I stand up tall and so proud to be an American.I could care less what this player does.
I am sure most here are aware of the history.We have so much information on this.
Did Betsy Ross make the first flag?sorry he can do what he wants.He makes million of dollars playing the game.
why should I be mad at Britain.This was before my time
3 people like this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
11 Sep 16
Thanks for your service.
I can't say I particularly care one way or the other about his actions until they are glorified by the press and other teams or groups of people. I haven't reached my two hundred year old mark yet. So I'm with you on that. 
I actually was not aware of the whole poem, but I am not a history buff so it could be I forgot it was there. I don't really see it derogatory to blacks in general, just to the blacks that fought for the British against the colonists. Quite honestly it makes my head hurt listening to everyone blame everyone else for their troubles. 
I actually was not aware of the whole poem, but I am not a history buff so it could be I forgot it was there. I don't really see it derogatory to blacks in general, just to the blacks that fought for the British against the colonists. Quite honestly it makes my head hurt listening to everyone blame everyone else for their troubles. 1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
11 Sep 16
hmmm...i aint familiar with this coz i don't do sports, nor pay much attention to the news. but, my thoughts're that if'n ya don't love yer country, ya need to move to one that'cha do. i tired 'f all the 'political correctness' 'n we, 's proud americans, to be told that our traditions/history rub some folks wrong. nobody's forcin' 'em to stay here that i'm aware 'f?
3 people like this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
11 Sep 16
I'm not aware of anyone forcing them or even ASKING them to stay. I love that you brought that up. They certainly ought to go somewhere else. Traditions may evolve, but we certainly aren't going to change history so I think they need to grow up and move on. Thanks for your wonderful comment.
3 people like this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
12 Sep 16
@crazyhorseladycx I do too. I think I had enough of hearing such crapola and needed to rant.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
12 Sep 16
@mommaj yer welcome, hon. i do find't a tad odd that some folks wish 's to be tolerant'n adapt to their way 'f thinkin' (e'en takin' such to the courts...), yet'll not do the same.
1 person likes this
@hora_fugit (5862)
• India
10 Sep 16
I don't know this anthem to comment on it. But that "we didn't start the slavery" part is very amusing, considering that "we" are not what "we" think! :)
1 person likes this
@hora_fugit (5862)
• India
10 Sep 16
@mommaj Query for clarification: bought or brought?
3 people like this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
10 Sep 16
@hora_fugit LOL Both actually. They were purchased. LOL
3 people like this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Sep 16
I wonder if Trump is going to start deporting people like that when he is president? "You don't like our country, Jack? Then get the hell out!" I could totally see Trump doing that! lol
2 people like this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
22 Sep 16
He would certainly get support from those who know that something needs to change. LOL I don't believe anyone should be here illegally and it is way to easy too travel elsewhere if you don't like it here. LOL Maybe he should. Bet people would stop complaining. LOL
1 person likes this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
23 Sep 16
@TheHorse LOL. I wouldn't vote for either of them. Both are crooked and should probably be in jail. Trump not sure what for, but Hillary Clinton has done too many things and gotten away with them. Doesn't really matter who you vote for. I am sure the electoral college has already chosen the winner.
1 person likes this
