.
It is the nature of conservatives to be superficial. They cannot be asked to look beyond their own beliefs to understand the philosophies or tenets of others.
There are countless facts conservatives do not want to believe because it disturbs that cocoon of delusions they’ve built for themselves over the decades, either by their refusal to look beyond their own selfishness or their own fears of change. There is no point in attempting to write a list, just remember every issue or item conservatives deny or call “fake news”, explains such a list is much too long to include here.
The conservatives’ willful ignorance plays a major part in their choice to believe when Colin Kaepernick, the NFL players, or anyone else who “takes a knee” or remains seated during “The Star-Spangled Banner” it disrespects their flag. Even as most conservatives have joined with the Big Orange Idiot as admitted Nazis or are proven Nazi sympathizers. The conservatives’ embrace or defense of Nazi and Confederate symbols calls into question their loyalty to the United States.
Upon investigation, Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to stand for the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” is in no way showing disrespect. In fact, African-Americans and all Americans of good conscience should remain seated or take a knee when this lily-white anthem is sung.
If one takes the time to read and fully understand Francis Scott Key’s entire poem “The Star-Spangled Banner”, which became the United States’ national anthem, they will find it is, indeed, racist toward African-Americans.
Key’s poem was written as the result of Britain’s attack on Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, a war Key opposed. Following is the complete poem:
O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming;
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?
This first verse of the song (stanza of the poem) makes conservatives feel all warm and fuzzy inside, deeply patriotic, and wondering why everyone else wants to disrespect their flag?.
Now, we will carry on, citing the second verse (stanza of the poem):
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream;
‘Tis the star-spangled banner;
O long may it wave
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!
So far, the song and the poem have been nothing more than the thrill Key felt when he saw “Old Glory” waving over Fort McHenry after a long battle, which brings us to the third and defining verse of the song (third stanza of the poem):
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 washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave,
From the terror of flight and 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!
How many people understood the actual meaning of the last four lines in the third verse of the song (third stanza of the poem)? Let‘s dissect them. “No refuge could save the hireling and slave, From the terror of flight and 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!”
Without an explanation it is simple to see why the true meaning escapes the notice of most Americans. After all, most of us were introduced to Key’s poem, “The Star-Spangled Banner” while we were in elementary school, and haven’t heard or read the words since then.
However, now that they have the opportunity read the entire poem and the meaning of the original content, will conservatives be convinced they should reject their steadfast belief “The Star-Spangled Banner” honors the principles of the United States and those outlined in our Constitution? Not likely.
But let’s give it a try anyway. In 1812, due to the war between France and Britain, United States’ President James Madison had the questionable plan to take Canada from Britain. (The senate vote in favor of a declaration of war, taken on June 17, 1812, had split 19 to 13, reflecting fundamental differences between members of the largely pro-war Republicans and the largely anti-war Federalists. In the House of Representatives, the vote had been 79 to 49, with Republicans once again in favor.) As usual, Republicans wanted an unnecessary war when diplomacy should have been the first step.
In response, Britain entered the “War of 1812“ using the propaganda their landings were to “protect escaped slaves”.
This was done in the belief slaves would flock to British military camps and ships, and it was a very successful strategy. Entire black families joined the British, where adult males were trained and created a regiment called the “Colonial Marines”, 6 thousand strong. Backed by over 20 thousand British troops, the Colonial Marines helped the British defeat the young United States.
Therefore, it is now simple to understand the lines in the third verse of the song (third stanza of the poem) glorifies the killing of former slaves by U.S. troops. “No refuge could save the hireling and slave, From the terror of flight and 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!” These lines were slave owner Key’s method to demean the slaves who fought and died in a war against their former oppressors, and reinforce the belief of the bravery of U.S. slave owners.
The conflict ended on December 24, 1814, with neither side winning any substantial goals or concessions from their opponents.
However, spin doctors of the period, on both sides, managed to convince their respective citizenry some “wins” occurred. And, despite fighting against slave owners like Francis Scott, Key, the U.S. would continue to oppress blacks, keeping them as slaves for an additional 50 years.
It’s apparent in slave owner Francis Scott Key’s poem, he felt extremely gratified by the deaths of former slaves, as his words mention only the oppressed in the U.S. who joined and died for the British, not the deaths of British troops. And, after reading this OP and visiting the sites below, those who still stand when this offensive song is played, are in no way honoring the principles of the United States or those outlined in our Constitution.
It is obvious why the American people long ago chose not to sing all four verses of “The Star-Spangled Banner”, and instead, limit the anthem to its first verse. Its offensive truth would have been discovered much, much sooner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4P0Zjkbc9s
https://theintercept.com/2016/08/28/colin-kaepernick-is-righter-than-you-know-the-national-anthem-is-a-celebration-of-slavery/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/francis-scott-key-the-reluctant-patriot-180937178/
Not to be left out, here is the fourth verse:
O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land,
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just.
And this be our motto— “In God is our trust;"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.
Lest we forget, despite Key’s inclusion, the Founding Fathers made it clear waaay back then, the United States was NOT, and is NOT a Christian nation, when they wrote the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of (and from) religion.
Any response to the conservatives' mindless reactions to this OP is a waste of time.
.
It is the nature of conservatives to be superficial. They cannot be asked to look beyond their own beliefs to understand the philosophies or tenets of others.
There are countless facts conservatives do not want to believe because it disturbs that cocoon of delusions they’ve built for themselves over the decades, either by their refusal to look beyond their own selfishness or their own fears of change. There is no point in attempting to write a list, just remember every issue or item conservatives deny or call “fake news”, explains such a list is much too long to include here.
The conservatives’ willful ignorance plays a major part in their choice to believe when Colin Kaepernick, the NFL players, or anyone else who “takes a knee” or remains seated during “The Star-Spangled Banner” it disrespects their flag. Even as most conservatives have joined with the Big Orange Idiot as admitted Nazis or are proven Nazi sympathizers. The conservatives’ embrace or defense of Nazi and Confederate symbols calls into question their loyalty to the United States.
Upon investigation, Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to stand for the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” is in no way showing disrespect. In fact, African-Americans and all Americans of good conscience should remain seated or take a knee when this lily-white anthem is sung.
If one takes the time to read and fully understand Francis Scott Key’s entire poem “The Star-Spangled Banner”, which became the United States’ national anthem, they will find it is, indeed, racist toward African-Americans.
Key’s poem was written as the result of Britain’s attack on Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, a war Key opposed. Following is the complete poem:
O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming;
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?
This first verse of the song (stanza of the poem) makes conservatives feel all warm and fuzzy inside, deeply patriotic, and wondering why everyone else wants to disrespect their flag?.
Now, we will carry on, citing the second verse (stanza of the poem):
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream;
‘Tis the star-spangled banner;
O long may it wave
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!
So far, the song and the poem have been nothing more than the thrill Key felt when he saw “Old Glory” waving over Fort McHenry after a long battle, which brings us to the third and defining verse of the song (third stanza of the poem):
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 washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave,
From the terror of flight and 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!
How many people understood the actual meaning of the last four lines in the third verse of the song (third stanza of the poem)? Let‘s dissect them. “No refuge could save the hireling and slave, From the terror of flight and 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!”
Without an explanation it is simple to see why the true meaning escapes the notice of most Americans. After all, most of us were introduced to Key’s poem, “The Star-Spangled Banner” while we were in elementary school, and haven’t heard or read the words since then.
However, now that they have the opportunity read the entire poem and the meaning of the original content, will conservatives be convinced they should reject their steadfast belief “The Star-Spangled Banner” honors the principles of the United States and those outlined in our Constitution? Not likely.
But let’s give it a try anyway. In 1812, due to the war between France and Britain, United States’ President James Madison had the questionable plan to take Canada from Britain. (The senate vote in favor of a declaration of war, taken on June 17, 1812, had split 19 to 13, reflecting fundamental differences between members of the largely pro-war Republicans and the largely anti-war Federalists. In the House of Representatives, the vote had been 79 to 49, with Republicans once again in favor.) As usual, Republicans wanted an unnecessary war when diplomacy should have been the first step.
In response, Britain entered the “War of 1812“ using the propaganda their landings were to “protect escaped slaves”.
This was done in the belief slaves would flock to British military camps and ships, and it was a very successful strategy. Entire black families joined the British, where adult males were trained and created a regiment called the “Colonial Marines”, 6 thousand strong. Backed by over 20 thousand British troops, the Colonial Marines helped the British defeat the young United States.
Therefore, it is now simple to understand the lines in the third verse of the song (third stanza of the poem) glorifies the killing of former slaves by U.S. troops. “No refuge could save the hireling and slave, From the terror of flight and 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!” These lines were slave owner Key’s method to demean the slaves who fought and died in a war against their former oppressors, and reinforce the belief of the bravery of U.S. slave owners.
The conflict ended on December 24, 1814, with neither side winning any substantial goals or concessions from their opponents.
However, spin doctors of the period, on both sides, managed to convince their respective citizenry some “wins” occurred. And, despite fighting against slave owners like Francis Scott, Key, the U.S. would continue to oppress blacks, keeping them as slaves for an additional 50 years.
It’s apparent in slave owner Francis Scott Key’s poem, he felt extremely gratified by the deaths of former slaves, as his words mention only the oppressed in the U.S. who joined and died for the British, not the deaths of British troops. And, after reading this OP and visiting the sites below, those who still stand when this offensive song is played, are in no way honoring the principles of the United States or those outlined in our Constitution.
It is obvious why the American people long ago chose not to sing all four verses of “The Star-Spangled Banner”, and instead, limit the anthem to its first verse. Its offensive truth would have been discovered much, much sooner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4P0Zjkbc9s
https://theintercept.com/2016/08/28/colin-kaepernick-is-righter-than-you-know-the-national-anthem-is-a-celebration-of-slavery/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/francis-scott-key-the-reluctant-patriot-180937178/
Not to be left out, here is the fourth verse:
O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land,
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just.
And this be our motto— “In God is our trust;"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.
Lest we forget, despite Key’s inclusion, the Founding Fathers made it clear waaay back then, the United States was NOT, and is NOT a Christian nation, when they wrote the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of (and from) religion.
Any response to the conservatives' mindless reactions to this OP is a waste of time.
.
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