Hey, let’s get rid of the Star-Spangled Banner!
Not for the reason you might think we should get rid of it—that it’s nearly unsingable.
No, the reason is because the third verse—the one virtually no one had ever heard of before, much less sung—is supposedly racist. Maybe or maybe not. After all, the NAACP of California says it is, and that the whole anthem should therefore be jettisoned.
Historians differ greatly on the matter, and if you care to see their arguments, read this and this, for example.
I’m pretty old, and I still remember learning the song in school—not all four verses (which no one ever sings), but the first and fourth, which I still can sing from memory. Not only that, before yesterday I can’t remember having even heard or read verses two and three (the latter being the one with the disputed meaning), and I would wager most people have never heard them either.
So I have a novel idea. If the third verse offends, then how about cutting it from the song? No one would have even noticed without the big brouhaha. But this is about proving America is an irredeemably racist country, steeped in racism, macerating in racism, and for penance the anthem can’t be expurgated; it must be expunged.
I’ve not seen an article that suggests what should replace it. I’ve long been rather partial to “God Bless America,” but that’s out for obvious reasons. “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” is really “God Save the Queen,” so that won’t do. And then there’s always “America the Beautiful”—but its lyrics mention the deity as well.
Hey, let’s just do away with a national anthem. We don’t really deserve one, do we?
My thoughts when I read about this latest effort to paint the US as the most racist country in the world, ever, were not so mild. Now, you can not even say or think the word “slave”.
I have a non-novel notion: Send them back to Africa. Returnees founded Liberia, and we have all witnessed how that has turned out: a 200 year-old rathole.
Let’s give them a 2nd go at it. Make them put their money where their mouths are. There’s lots of room for them in Mali and Niger, and they can take the anti-white whites with them as honorary non-racists.
A person has to be very racist to be able to see racism in virtually everything.
If America is an irredeemably racist country, steeped in racism, macerating in racism then that racism can only be expunged when ALL whites are either dead or enslaved… after all, it’s in our DNA.
“I’ve not seen an article that suggests what should replace it.”
I was going to suggest, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” – often referred to as the “Black American National Anthem” because this is about dominance not repentance but the lyrics are accusatory and gasp! mention heaven once and ‘God’ four times, so that won’t fly either.
I thought Cali was seceding or breaking into 3. Let them leave and get their own anthem, something done by a rapper ought to delight everybody. They can use the terms bitch, pigs & ni88ers that will make them all happy. Didn’t a minority comedian once call from the stage that Obama was his lord and savior.
I actually think laughter is the best medicine & mockery a strong disinfectant.
Just point & laugh at everyone who flings that “you’re racist” poo around the room & through your laughter point at them & say, “Are you really permitted to walk around without your minders? ‘Cos I think you are a danger to yourself being that stupid.”
My “give a damn” shelf is absolutely empty & I have none on back-order for such garbage.
Have you read “All Four Stanzas”, Isaac Asimov’s essay on The Star-Spangled Banner? You can read it here:
http://www.purewatergazette.net/asimov.htm
It was originally published in the March, 1991, issue of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction:
https://archive.org/details/Fantasy_Science_Fiction_v080n03_1991-03
“If the third verse offends, then how about cutting it from the song? No one would have even noticed without the big brouhaha.”
It does not appear to me to be a “big brouhaha”, or even a mini-brouhaha. I do think an overwhelming majority of people view it as either silly or, a la John Guilfoyle (4:26 pm), as very mockworthy material.
Cutting the third verse from the song would be of no avail, because the song is, by now, irredeemably AmeriKKKan. Nothing will satisfy these people short of unconditional cultural surrender: it’s a mere matter of time, and the culture warrior left is supremely patient.
I have zero empathy for these people. Their thoughts are an embarrassment to any person trying to forge quality discussion about race and America’s role in it.
And then there’s the changing of lyrics like Kentucky did with “My Old Kentucky Home” and Florida did with “Old Folks At Home” aka “Suwannee River”. But that’s more understandable, I can see why these old minstrel songs about happy “darkies” would be a problem.
Let’s go to the transcript.
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.
Does sane person really believe the offending word (I’m guessing “slave”) refers to some group OTHER THAN the British soldiers and their mercenary (hireling) troops?
Although Key uses the word slave more symbolically than literally at that time, given the British recruitment practices (pressing = abduction and forced enlistment), many of their forces were effectively enslaved.
Those who volunteered often did so to escape WORSE conditions as civilians.
This all leads back to bho, holder, and the usual race hustlers. Obama from the very first days was seeking to create racial tensions. Remember the beer summit with a black professor and the cop who “acted stupidly”? “If I had a son….” This was orchestrated and propagandized by the dnc/msm with the able assistance of academia and Hollywood creeps.
It is sad and a shame that so many blacks embrace this attitude and fail to realze who wants to keep the on the welfare plantation.
The current insanity over words taken out of context can, IMO, be traced back to the “niggardly” incident of 1999. As Wikipedia points out, a word that had hitherto no racial significance at all* has now been converted into a deliberate racial slur, because the person called down for it apologized, instead of laughing the objector to scorn.**
It was a significant victory for the Left to discover the power of crying “racist” on the slimmest pretext, in order to engender racism as a response.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controversies_about_the_word_%22niggardly%22
*”An article in McClure’s magazine in March 1924 prints this exchange (although it may have been from a short story, making it a fictional complaint and an observation by the author of the potential for confusion):[14]
‘A niggardly and disgusting habit,’ I commented. … ‘Just lay off that “nigger” stuff after this,’ warned Pete.”
We used to call that a joke, but it depends on the readers actually, you know, understanding the meaning of the words.
**” Julian Bond, then chairman of the NAACP, deplored the offense that had been taken at Howard’s use of the word. “You hate to think you have to censor your language to meet other people’s lack of understanding”, he said. “David Howard should not have quit. Mayor Williams should bring him back–and order dictionaries issued to all staff who need them.“[8]
Bond also said, “Seems to me the mayor has been niggardly in his judgment on the issue” and that as a nation the US has a “hair-trigger sensibility” on race that can be tripped by both real and false grievances.[9]”
Unfortunately, the Left and the Black Victimization Activists did not dare have anyone inject any sense into the situation. I won’t go so far as to say this particular one was a set-up (I think more a seizing of opportunity), but there is no doubt that subsequent complaints built on the failure to follow Bond’s advice.
bof Says:
November 9th, 2017 at 5:21 pm
Have you read “All Four Stanzas”, Isaac Asimov’s essay on The Star-Spangled Banner?
* *
I had not seen that until now – many thanks.
The third verse is not the only one that triggers the Left, of course.
“The fourth stanza, a pious hope for the future, should be sung more slowly than the other three and with even deeper feeling.
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation,
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n – rescued land
Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause is just,
And this be our motto–“In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
I hope you will look at the national anthem with new eyes. Listen to it, the next time you have a chance, with new ears. ”
And don’t let them ever take it away.
–Isaac Asimov, March 1991
GRA Says:
November 9th, 2017 at 6:08 pm
I have zero empathy for these people. Their thoughts are an embarrassment to any person trying to forge quality discussion about race and America’s role in it.
* * *
The goal is not a discussion (despite Eric Holder’s hypocritical claim).
The goal is subjugation, by inches and ounces where they cannot get yards and pounds.
Rather than taking out the third verse, we should sing all four at every possible opportunity.
Otherwise the victory at Fort McHenry was in vain.
“If the third verse offends, then how about cutting it from the song? No one would have even noticed without the big brouhaha.”
On the order of “if the statue offends, then how about quietly moving it to a less conspicuous location? No one would have even noticed without the big brouhaha.”
As Neo points out, the brouhaha is a feature, not a bug.
AesopFan:
Even earlier.
See this.
parker:
Even before that.
See this.
Yes, neo, I do remember that. Bho was signaling his intentions before he was elected and crowned. I was referring to his actions after being sworn in as POTUS to protect and defend the Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic. Obviously he was a domestic enemy trained from birth.
Failure to strictly adhere to oath of office is treason imo. Of course the Messiah is not alone in that regard. It applies to 90% of those who inhabit the corridors of DC. I am a 9th and 10th advocate.
See Shawn Colvin “Get Out of My House”. Apologies, I don’t know how to link on the tablet my daughter gave me.I am watching Longmire and distracted. That is my excuse and I am sticking to it.
neocon says And then there’s always “America the Beautiful”–but its lyrics mention the deity as well.
Well, we added God into the Pledge of Allegiance. I don’t see a problem.
Geoffrey Britain Says:
November 9th, 2017 at 4:07 pm
If America is an irredeemably racist country, steeped in racism, macerating in racism then that racism can only be expunged when ALL whites are either dead or enslaved… after all, it’s in our DNA.
“I’ve not seen an article that suggests what should replace it.”
I was going to suggest, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” — often referred to as the “Black American National Anthem” because this is about dominance not repentance but the lyrics are accusatory and gasp! mention heaven once and ‘God’ four times, so that won’t fly either.
* * *
I used to sing with the Colorado Mormon Chorale here in Denver, and for many years we participated in an annual “community celebration” hosted by a large Black church (I forget the name at the moment). We included “Lift Every Voice and Sing” one year and it is a very inspirational piece. (this is not us, BTW – never recorded the concerts we were in)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya7Bn7kPkLo
The internet is very educational. Comments from this post:
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2017/11/is-the-national-anthem-racist.php
Neil Peden
Americans certainly decried Britain’s employment of Hessians in the American Revolution, although I am not aware of formal Hessian involvement in the War of 1812. The British did employ a regiment of Swiss mercenaries, and possibly others, not to mention that British ranks were full of paid soldiers, many destitute Irishmen. Impressment of Americans into the British navy was something of a casus belli in 1812, but I doubt that Key was gloating of victory over them. While there were undoubtedly forced conscripts from other nations in the British navy, I think it far more likely that the reference to “slaves” in what became the national anthem was to the (British) Corps of Colonial Marines, made up of freed black slaves from the American colonies. This caused great consternation as one might expect. (In fact, the War of 1812 resulted in the largest emancipation of American slaves until the Civil War.) The recently formed Corps fought in the Battle of Baltimore, and it is worth mentioning that Key was himself a slave owner at the time, although he may have had a change of heart later in life.
As for the former slaves who served in the Corps, they were not sold back into slavery. Those who ended up in Trinidad were given farmland to which they eventually obtained title, and their descendants are still known as Merikins.
This rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is really good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngFDy52eCZY
5-man a cappella – fantastic harmonies
The brouhaha is being retrieved from last year, apparently.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/king-stand-star-spangled-banner-article-1.2770075
Francis Scott Key, who wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner,” celebrated slavery in the original lyrics. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Shaun King
SHAUN KING
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Monday, August 29, 2016, 1:02 PM
I won’t quote from the article.
I hold no brief on Key’s life and status as a slaveholder, but the conclusions King draws from one line in the third verse are absurd.
The brouhaha is being retrieved from last year, apparently.
Francis Scott Key, who wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner,” celebrated slavery in the original lyrics. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Shaun King
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Monday, August 29, 2016, 1:02 PM
I won’t quote from the article.
I hold no brief on Key’s life and status as a slaveholder, but the conclusions King draws from one line in the third verse are absurd.
(The link caused a 403 error: not allowed — is the NY Daily News on a banned list?)
Hmmm. Looks like it went through anyway.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
“Slave” may refer to the slaves that sought their fortune standing with British forces. The forces arrayed against Americans including regular soldiers, mercenaries, and slaves there by choice and force. It was an effort by the British to sow internal discontent in the Northern states. Not unlike the modern diversitists who array men against women, color against color, native against immigrant, etc.
re: men against women
Mother against child/baby/”fetus”, and so on and so forth.
Get rid of the progressive diversity racket, including for-profit racism, sexism, and political congruence (“=”). They are using the same tactics as the British of yesteryear and modern Democratic Party to sew internal discontent and division.
This is why when people say that DC policies and Presidential order laws will save the USA, is laughable to me. They act like they have a clue what they are facing, but it’s just that: an act.
They also talk a lot of nationalistic pride over bombing foreigners and teaching weak nations how to look at America. The problem isn’t the foreigners, it’s all the traitors in America that Americans don’t want to deal with. Bombing ragheads and teaching them a lessons is a sort of gladiatorial entertainment distraction, like NFL.
And this be our motto—“In God is our trust.”
Given how many USA citizens think somebody they elected to DC is going to save them, that motto is now “In Government is our trust”
Also xenophobia begets xenophobia. That way even if every Leftist is sacrificed in a new holocaust, the masters of the Leftist Soviet weapon will still win.
The establishment GOP helped create this culture with their apologize as quickly as possible even when associations were totally false and made up without delay and rebuttal approach with every bogus accusation the left throws at them. George Bush apologized immediately when a girl accused him of sexual harassing her a few years ago is a perfect example of this.
you know why there are so much injustices in the world, why the left are running rampage with their political correctness? it is because the GOP like Bush and Mccain and Romney allowed them to be. They never pushed back the left’s accusations. Whenever the left called them racist they just bow down and apologize and vow try not to be so racist again in the future and beg for their forgiveness. grow a pair please, don’t apologize to the devils, did Jesus apologize to the devils for letting them into heaven?
it is because the GOP like Bush and Mccain and Romney allowed them to be. They never pushed back the left’s accusations.
Did people like Dave ever push back?
Or are the cowards criticizing the cowards now.
Whenever the Left attacked the Tea Party as racists, did the Daves push back or did they just bow down to the Left?
Grow a pair when you can apologize for your own behavior in supporting the Left’s campaigns against their conservative and TP enemies.