[FootballFan1999]

From a close friend who doesn’t have an account on here but wanted to comment on the matter.

“ The author of the “The Star Spangled Banner” which is the current National Anthem was a slave owner. The poem in which he h evokes the history of a nation and its people. So I ask if as people of nation that has sought out change for equality among its citizens over the past 60-75 years, why is it not reasonable for one to think that’s it’s also time to consider a National Anthem that reflects the Great Nation in which we strive to be rather than that of the Nation we have moved away from. Kneeling in protest of an “Anthem” brings no disrespect to Our Flag or the service men that have fought and died for our country. On the contrary those Men and Women that sign up to protect and serve sign up to fight for the Nation that we want to leave to our Children. Yet, those who are unwilling to acknowledge that the Nation we want to leave to our future citizens is vastly different from the Nation that was founded 300 years ago. Why is that? Most commonly because 1 of 2 reasons. Change, people are afraid of change. They are afraid of being outside of their comfort zone and the way they were raised. It’s much easier to continue with life the way it is. Or they know what is going on and the injustices that many people face, however they make the conscious decision that it does not affect their personal life and/or they don’t care of the injustices that others face. Most commonly these people are referred to as racist. The first example is not innocent either. I fell in this category for a long time. I can honestly say I had no hatred in my heart for others, but I was ignorant and uneducated and therefore stayed out of any conversation I couldn’t speak intelligently on. This shows in today’s society when these social injustices are made into an argument about something else. People try to justify thoughts or actions. But, they did this; We can’t do that; They do it to their own; etc. This isn’t a religious or political affiliation issue. That’s the problem with so many people that can’t see past their religion, political party, or respect of our nation. We choose what God(s) if want to worship or none at all, we choose who we vote for and to put our trust in, we choose to fight and support the growth of a better nation. We don’t choose the color our our skin. And to be suppressed because of the color of our skin or our ethnic background is to the deepest core of immorality and goes against what this great nation stands for. And anyone that can justify or deny that it still happens can and should be classified as immoral, unpatriotic, treacherous, racist, and un-American. If you’re not part of the solution of making this nation the greatest in the world, you’re part of the problem and living in the past.”