The Star-Spangled Banner

When you stand for the National Anthem, it shows respect for the soldiers who fought and died for our freedom and our country. Jarrett Stepman wrote,: “To the majority of Americans, “The Star-Spangled Banner” is a moving tribute to what the country represents: freedom, duty, bravery, and commitment to the men and women serving in the armed forces.” The National Anthem song is about the freedom the soldiers gave us. When standing for the National…

Independence? The United States is considered to have one of the best constructed governments on Earth. Unlike many countries, all citizens of the US get their own set of rights along with a sense of protection and tranquility. There is a reason the Star Spangled Banner ends with “O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?” (Key 8) Along with our freedom, we are known worldwide for gaining independence from one of the greatest armies and navies of the time, Great Britain. Although…

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Collin Kaepernick has recently made a passive protest in the beginning of one of the last preseason football games that has brought up a great point. Kaepernick remained seated during the "Star Spangled Banner," which typically is when both team stand up with their hands over their hearts to represent their country, but Kaepernick decided that he wanted to make a point and stay seated throughout the song. He has set off a national debate on racism and patriotism,…

about patriotism as they represent a country that many say hasn’t always fully embraced them”. For instance, Collis Kaepernick was reported that he was seated during San Francisco 49ers while his teammates stood with hands over hearts for “The star-Spangled Banner”.…

his actions. Other athletes, including soccer player Megan Rapinoe, have followed Kaepernick’s lead and taken up their protest during national anthems. Rapinoe, a member of the United States women’s national soccer team, knelt during the “Star-Spangled Banner” before a game earlier…

NFL Protest The most recent major sports league uproar has been the protests during our National Anthem. NFL players across every team have been kneeling, linking arms, or even just staying in the locker room. President Donald Trump spoke out about the situation on Twitter saying that the players should be suspended or fired for “disrespecting” our country. One of the points made by Trump was his approval of the players that were locking arms and complete disappointment by those who…

We should stand when the pledge of allegiance is being recited unless we are physically unable to do so and we should also sing the national anthem while standing up. Respecting our national flag and the Star Spangled Banner is a basic requirement of the people living in this great country. When we do this, we are not only respecting the song or the flag, but also the men and women who have given their lives to protect this country. Respect should be given to…

Like any other basic high schooler, I was at the football game this past Friday. The event began with the marching band playing the Star Spangled Banner, which reminded me of the Jimi Hendrix rendition we listened to during class. Although both performances performed the same song, Hendrix is seen as a unpatriotic protester at Woodstock while the football game is perceived as patriotic. While we all were listening to the same song, our perspectives were different. Woodstock was packed with…

Perhaps it’s the history tied to the National Anthem that creates social expectations for professional athletes, and Americans in general, to partake in the patriotism that the song exudes centuries after it was written. Choosing to sit out the tradition seems to make a statement, a very bold one. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick made a bold statement himself Friday night when he chose to sit out the National Anthem at Levi's Stadium. Kaepernick explained his intentions in an…

For Country and Freedom The war of 1812, so named for when it began, lasted 3 years, ending in1815 with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent. This war was between The United States and Britain, with most battles being fought along the Canadian border, in the Chesapeake Bay region, and along the Gulf of Mexico. Since the American Revolution, the United States had grown more and more impatient with Britain’s failure to withdraw from American territory, their supporting the Indians fighting against…