The Star-Spangled Banner

As the nation observes Memorial Day this weekend, we should take a few minutes to reflect on the great number of American military cemeteries that span the far reaches of the planet, where boundless ranks of white stones stand silently at attention with few visitors to ever pay their respects. There were never any veterans’ reunions for them – not one. Well, at least not on this side of eternity’s threadlike veil. In what seems like a blink of the eyes, it was last summer that I was…

over a year ago. September 26th, 2016 when the San Francisco 49ers played the Green Bay Packers at Levi Stadium in California for a regular season football game when one of the 49er’s players did something that shocked the nation viraly. While the Star…

song itself was written to commemorate a military victory when we withstood a British attack and “Old Glory” continued to wave over the battered fort during the War of 1812. In 1931 Congress officially decided listeners should stand when “The Star Spangled Banner” is played. Congress also gave suggestions for the behavior of people listening to the song. Which is to formally stand at attention, hand over your heart, and men should remove their hats and place them over their heart. (Dempsey,…

Nationalism is omnipresent in the United States. Every American has experienced varying levels of nationalism even if they did not consciously process the stimuli. Common nationalistic American symbols range from the Flag to the paper bills we exchange as currency. Constant exposure to these items slowly desensitizes the mind to them, causing us to not look as closely at them. The United States currency, for example, is covered in symbols; however, Americans ignore most of the symbols because…

“Take A Knee” – Athletic Defiance Janet Weiner Introduction Colin Kaepernick is an American Football player who wanted to peacefully protest police brutality and racism against African American men. During, the national anthem before a game he “took a knee” in protest. Other football players have joined in this protest. Police brutality has become an incredibly polarizing and contentious issue in America. President Trump took the stance that kneeling during the national anthem is…

all across the United States. One of the major protest that has occurred was Colin Kaepernick’s choice to take a knee during the National Anthem. Kaepernick is a football player for the San Francisco 49ers and first took a knee during “The Star Spangled Banner” on August 26, 2016. His initial reasoning behind his actions was intended to be a form of protest against the recent outbreak of police brutality and racial injustices in the United States. However, as time has come and gone his initial…

Clayton Condon Joanna Boylan American Literature 3rd 24 October, 2014 America’s Melodies: An Analyzation of Patriotism in Lyrics Since the creation of the genre in the late seventeenth century, patriotic music has demonstrated the expression of admiration and devotion for one’s country, boosted general morale in times of crisis, and rekindled pride in who we are, and what we represent, as a great nation. (Rhein 1). In an effort to increase nationalistic views, there are several qualities used…

Over two hundred years ago, Francis Scott Key penned the poem "The Defence on of Fort McHenry," which would become what is known as the United States National Anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner." Throughout the past half a decade, sports has become an active arena for activism over social and political issues. From Muhammad Ali refusing his draft notice for the Vietnam War, John Carlos performing the Black Power salute at the 1968 Olympics, and the Miami Heat wearing "I Can 't Breathe" shirts in…

“Get that son of bitch off the field”, well I honestly never thought I would live long enough to hear those words coming out of a U.S. president. All this commotion occurred after a player of the NFL, had been kneeling for the past 2 years to speak against law enforcement cruelty towards African Americans. Like most things, there were many in favor of the athletes and against it because it unpatriotic. Americans see that the involvement of athletes is wrong because they don’t live in the same…

Taking a Stance on History. Turn on the television or listen to the radio and the topic of conversation is about oppression, police brutality, the American flag and the National Anthem. Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets are being bombarded in support and disgust for the topics. Media corporations attempt to segregate us once more instead of trying to seek an understanding that will provide mutual benefit, and positive productive discussions on the issues. Regardless of where one…