Why I See America As An F-boy That Thinks It's A Good Dude
A review of the "Star Spangled Banner" and its relevance, or lack thereof, to the current protest movements.
I must admit that I, a brown skinned, millennial, woman and product of an inner-city public school system, am amazed by this nation and the intricate way that it has injected racism, sexism, supremacy and all other-isms that seem to have a choke-hold on a land-mass populated by more than 323.1 million people who look, act and speak differently. It has somehow convinced us that we should, instead of embracing our differences, strive to be exactly the same.We have been swindled by this smooth talking, good looking, dream selling nation into believing that we should be educated by one common curriculum, watch the same television shows and pray to the same God. We should love the same way—the “right way”—and receive news (read: alternative facts) from the same source and have the same perspectives. We should all support war and strive to be rich. We should each work corporate jobs, we should salute the same flag and we must all stand up for what we believe in, as long as while we are standing, we don’t take a bended knee during the singing of a song that honors a country that fails to recognize that it is our differences, rather than our similarities, that makes this nation beautiful. Colin Rand Kaepernick, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin is worth $22 million dollars. Born to a caucasian mother and African American father, Kaepernick was adopted by Rick and Teresa Kaepernick, hence his organic commitment to and philanthropic work with underserved children.We must not be blinded by the notion that whichever NFL team decides to be risqué or liberal, or inevitably political enough to sign the now free agent and former Super Bowl quarterback, may quite possibly be committing one of the most offensive crimes against the progress of a replenished and necessary civil rights movement, ever.You see, Kaepernick has, in fact, sparked a movement. Not to say the deeply rooted urge was not there before. Arguably, the protest spirit has long been simmering in the minds of athletes, politicians, activists and journalists across the nation for years. Except now, there is a platform for them to march into our living rooms and force stimulating dialogue to occur in some of the most conservative classrooms, dining rooms, pulpits, press rooms and even social media chats.The "about" page on Kaepernick’s foundation website simply reads, “The mission of the Colin Kaepernick Foundation is to fight oppression of all kinds globally, through education and social activism.”It is my belief that, irrespective of the lyrics to the national anthem or how many stripes and stars are represented on the flag, this movement and his vision is larger than life. It is about the quest for both a nation and a world that is not bound by walls, nor glass ceilings, rather focused on the establishment of a more perfect union. A nation that has never been great, but remains committed to the never-ending fight (and I use that word with the intentionality of my ancestors) for life, liberty and justice for all.For those who are confused about the purpose of the movement, “what is the ask” you may say. Both Kaepernick and 49er Eric Reid, specifically have identified police brutality, social injustice, the bail system and the importance of local government elections, specifically with district attorneys, as the areas that they first starting protesting the need for change in—recognizing that “change requires education on the topics followed by conversations about them.”With regard to the relevance, or lack thereof, of the national anthem to this movement, the flag and the archaic lyrics are completely irrelevant. Thus, the assertion that the protests that have emerged “have nothing to do with race” baffle me.“I have great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country. I have family, I have friends that have gone and fought for this country. And they fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice, for everyone”.—Colin KaepernickNonetheless, my deep dive into the historical context of our national anthem by way of the free worldwide web (well the American version of free because I or someone else has to pay for internet access) revealed the following:Francis Scott Key, an "American" lawyer, author and poet was born in 1779 and died in 1843Around 1814, following his experience aboard HMS Tonnant (a ship), Francis Scott Key wrote “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” which later became known as the Star Spangled BannerIt was not until more than a century after its original publication that the song became recognized as the national anthem, first by an executive order from President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, which had little effect other than the demand that it be played at major sporting events (read: baseball) and then by congressional resolution signed by president Herbert Hoover in 1931In 1945, then NFL Commissioner, Elmer Layden, argued that “the playing of the national anthem should be as much a part of every game as the kickoff…” And similar to 2017, the NFL had altered the views of the entire worldFinally, in 2009 NFL players began standing on the field during the anthem prior to primetime games. Prior to, their “allegiance to the flag” was secluded in locker rooms, not for the world to see.In obvious alignment with the land of the free and the home of the brave, Francis Scott Key who is described as a “devout and prominent Episcopalian” purchased his first slave in the early 1800s, and owned six slaves by 1820.Although by the 1830s he set some slaves free, Key was considered an anti-abolitionist who used his position as an Attorney General to suppress and indict abolitionist. During the popular prosecution of botanist, Dr. Rueben Crandall, Key, whose poetic "genius" was accountable for more than just our national anthem, spoke these words:"Are you willing, gentlemen, to abandon your country, to permit it to be taken from you, and occupied by the abolitionist, according to whose taste it is to associate and amalgamate with the negro? Or, gentlemen, on the other hand, are there laws in this community to defend you from the immediate abolitionist, who would open upon you the floodgates of such extensive wickedness and mischief?" The jury acquitted Crandall.Interestingly enough, the four-stanza song that we recognize as our national anthem is an ode to a 15-star and 15-strip flag that no longer represents this nation. In fact, I have only read of such a flag in history books. The flag that we know today has thirteen red and white stripes and fifty white stars that represent the 50 states (waiting on an explanation for why all the stars—literally and figuratively—are white, but I’ll wait).Additionally, in 1861, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. added a fifth line to the anthem in outrage over the American Civil War. And a handwritten version of the song, written by the original and aforementioned creator, Francis Scott Key, suggested that the third line actually should read “whose bright stars and broad stripes, through the clouds of the fight,” rather than “whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight”. (Oops)Finally, and I mean this is truly golden, (or perhaps American) the first popular music performance of the anthem heard by a mainstream audience is attributed to José Feliciano, a Puerto Rican artist (yes, the same Puerto Rico that is an unincorporated territory of the United States and in the midst of devastation still has “billions of dollars owed to Wall Street and the banks" which, sadly, must be dealt with) [*rolls eyes*]. Feliciano caused a nationwide uproar when he strummed a slow, blues-style rendition of the song at Tiger Stadium in Detroit before game five of the 1968 World Series. It seems to me that the history of the Star Spangled Banner, much like the history of America, is compacted with much confusion and uncertainty. I am inspired by the dedication of Kaepernick, and the other "boy bye" exclaiming political commentators, neck rolling journalists, educators, conscious theologians and community leaders who continue to strive for a nation that promises liberty and justice for all. We must never let the agenda of others distract us from the origin of this movement, one that began as a one-man silent protest with clearly articulated intentions.A nation that has a tattered history is not destined to have a tattered future. We must continue to shine our melanin-ated light to reveal the injustices within a nation that seems to be so afraid of darkness.So, whether your protest includes kneeling on the field or at the altar, whether you decide to raise your fist or raise your voice, you must stand (or kneel) for something, or you will fall for anything.“I will donate one million dollars plus all the proceeds of my jersey sales from the 2016 season to organizations working in oppressed communities, 100k a month for 10 months.”—Colin KaepernickFor those asking how to show support for Kaepernick without supporting outside parties, here’s how:...
