Why I Don't Stand for the National Anthem

Recently, news outlets and social media have been bombarded with the controversy that has been surrounding the National Anthem. Many sports players have chosen to not stand, kneel on one knee and even raised their fists to protest the social injustices that people face every day. These silent protests have upset many “patriotic” Americans all across the country—so much so that businesses are refusing to show sports games. Like these sports players, I too do not stand or participate in any capacity during the recital of our National Anthem and I am going to explain why.

When I think of the National Anthem and when it was written, I can’t help but think about how I would not have been considered a person back then. People with my skin color were property during those times; We were laborers to help some white man achieve his American dream. Because of that, I can’t help but not feel included when the song boasts about our great country. People who look like me were never meant to be an equal part of society, and quite frankly, we still aren’t treated as equals either.

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 wash'd out their foul footstep's 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 average American would not recognize those lyrics, but that is the 3rd verse of our National Anthem. This verse depicts our country taking pleasure in the deaths of free black slaves who had fought with the British against the United States. Essentially, it was an accomplishment when those slaves who gained freedom from the British were killed in battle—and as a black man, I just can’t bring myself to pay any kind of respect to this song. I don’t feel like this country was built for people like me to succeed, however, I am going to try my hardest to do just that.

#David