There has been a lot of talk about the Star Spangled Banner and some people choosing not to stand for it.

I respect the young man and his right to question his world and his government. At the same time, I love our troops!

Some people are screaming racism because of these lyrics.

Hello PC:

Yeah..  It's kinda crazy, isn't it..  Right wingers SAY they love the Constitution, but if you take advantage of what it SAYS, you're a BAAAD person.. 

I, too, just learned that our vaunted national anthem is racist to its core..  I'm not gonna stand up for it any more either..

excon

Good post PC. 

Take your pick.  I've read a lot since this started and am satisfied slavery was not being glorified in the third verse.   We must not forget that slavery was not created by early America.    Context is everything in so many cases, and this is certainly one of them.  Study the history of the day and it's easier to see what Mr. Key's lyrics are saying.  The CNN article author is glad Kaepernick started the conversation even though his premise is incorrect.   I'm sure there are other interpretations which I will be happy to read but I'm not going to argue any of them. 

http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/31/opinions/star-spangled-banner-criticisms-opinion-clague/

OR

http://www.american-historama.org/1801-1828-evolution/star-spangled-banner-lyrics.htm

Star Spangled Banner Lyrics Verse 3

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, 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!

 

Meaning of Star Spangled Banner Lyrics Verse 3

• Francis Scott Key describes the British as arrogant and boastful in the lyrics 'that band who so vauntingly swore'
• He is venting his anger at the British with the "foul footsteps' pollution" lyrics inferring that the British poisoned the ground on which they walked
• But the poison and corruption had been washed away by the blood of the British
• The Star Spangled Banner lyrics "the hireling " refers to the British use of Mercenaries (German Hessians) in the American War of Independence
• The Star Spangled Banner lyrics "...and slave" is a direct reference to the British practice of Impressment (kidnapping American seamen and forcing them into service on British man-of war ships). This was a Important cause of the War of 1812
• Francis Scott Key then describes the Star Spangled Banner as a symbol of triumph over all adversity
• Meaning of Star Spangled Banner Lyrics Verse 3

As Thiftymaid's answer clearly details, the song is actually about the British. (I'm British but since I don't partake in butthurt identity politics, especially about things that happened centuries ago, I really couldn't care less.)

The right to freedom of expression means that the STATE won't persecute you. It doesn't mean that THE PEOPLE won't exert social pressure on you if you do or say something they don't like.

The left shames people ALL THE TIME for saying things it doesn't like. You really sound very hypocritical when you talk like this.

What this guy doesn't get is that the anthem, as the flag, represent a set of principles and ideas upon our country was founded.
They DO NOT represent the people running the country. That our country is pulled Nd pushed by unscrupulous and greedy individuals does not invalidate the principles by which it stands.
I recognise the dudes right to protest whatever he wants, but to me, he looks ignorant and childish.
A child sitting on the ground with his arms crossed throwing a tantrum because he doesn't want to eat his broccoli.
This guy is worth For 2016, 10 million dollars!!!!!
And this is how incredibly upset he is, about it all. He sits on the ground . That's it. Give me a break.

ThriftyMaid's answer is an excellent and accurate one. The problem with people today is that almost every topic is twisted to mean something racist. You could read the ingredients on a box of jello and some clown would stand up and scream that it was racist. Society needs to get a grip.

 Mr. Clancy

   

OMG people, get real.......it mentions slaves 'cuz there were slaves back then.......I don't see how in the HELL it's anything racial!!!

as for that player, he has the right to do what he wants, but he does NOT need to disrespect the flag of a country that gave him the opportunity to play the sport he likes, and to make tons of money........

There have always been slaves; America did not invent slavery.  Read about why the war of 1812 happened.  England was kidnapping American seamen and forcing them into servitude on British ships (called Impressment). That is the reference  to 'slave'  in the lyrics.  This is in my answer.   

1. I would stand for all the song.
2. Some people do not stand because it is against their religion.
3. Some stand to protest political situations or laws.
4. I think people have the right to sit if they have a good reason like those I mentioned.

Yes I would stand for that, in part because I can.

That Kaepernick (however it is spelled, I'm not going to waste my time googling him) is free NOT to stand for the anthem. I and others are free NOT to watch his team or its sponsors. 

Silly response.  Who is going to decide what constitutes a good reason?    People are free to sit through the National Anthem.  That freedom does not negate the disrespect it shows. 

Thriftymaid, wow! That's quite a reply. Thank you for going into such detail. When I read the other versus, I couldn't understand how it could have been interpreted as racism. I just couldn't stretch it far enough to come to that conclusion, but it appears some have.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THIS QUESTION. (Not yelling, merely emphasizing). Lol.

THANK YOU.....LIKE

DTT, Thank you. It's unfortunate that his choice has caused this much negative attention to the team and to the game.

I choose to stand as well.

LIKE.....THANK YOU!

RC, I agree.

THANK YOU.....LIKE!!

NHP,

THANK YOU.....LIKE

Excon, out of curiosity, could you specifically point out what part you feel is racist and why.

they do that at the senior center when i go eat there, i got a bad knee so id rather sit and then people bother me cause of that so sometimes i dont go in the dining till theyre done cause im tired of them bothering me about it