Take a Knee or a Stand?

Source: Library of Congress, Public Domain

 

Will you take a knee or take a stand?

 

On this day in 1814 – In a turning point in the War of 1812, the British failed to capture Baltimore. During the battle, Francis Scott Key composes his poem "Defence of Fort McHenry", which is later set to music and becomes the United States' national anthem.

 

The War was a skirmish over borders, land and, especially, who had the rights to take advantage of the indigenous people of America. Both sides were glad to see it end and were happy with the outcome. The war ended in a draw. Indigenous nations have been y seen among historians as the real losers.

 

The anthem was from a poem entitled "Defence of Fort M'Henry" by attorney Francis Scott Key. It was set to the tune of a British song written by John Stafford Smith as a theme for the Anacreontic Society, a men's social club called "The Anacreontic Song"

 

"The Star-Spangled Banner" was first use by the United States Navy in 1889, and by U.S. president Woodrow Wilson in 1916. A congressional resolution on March 3, 193, made it the National Anthem. So, it is a rather recent tradition.

 

Before that, three hymns were more often used by Americans to express their patriotism:

 

• "Hail, Columbia"
• "My Country, 'Tis of Thee", to the tune of "God Save the Queen",
• "America the Beautiful",

 

At the time that he wrote the words, Key, a devout Episcopalian, was also a slave owner. In his later life as attorney, he represented both slaves and slave owners in issues regarding that institution.

 

Key represented several slaves seeking their freedom, as well as several slave-owners seeking return of their runaway slaves.

 

The third stanza of the Star-Spangled Banner makes disparaging mention of blacks and demonstrates Key's opinion of their seeking freedom at the time. There were slaves who were escaping to the British, who promised them freedom and that is what the reference in verse three is to.

 

Eventually, Key seems to have come to a place of seeing slavery as wrong, but it was a long and ambiguous road for him.

 

He was a founding member and active leader of the American Colonization Society. Their primary goal was to send free blacks to Africa. As a result of those efforts, the nation of Liberia was founded. He was firmly against immediate abolition of slavery whether it was with or without compensation.

 

The problematic third verse reads:

 

"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."

 

Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote 5th verse during the Civil War:

 

"When our land is illumined with Liberty's smile,

If a foe from within strike a blow at her glory,

Down, down with the traitor that dares to defile

The flag of her stars and the page of her story!

By the millions unchained, who our birthright have gained,

We will keep her bright blazon forever unstained!

And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave

While the land of the free is the home of the brave."

 

It should actually replace the 4th verse entirely, which is an abomination.

 

When the U.S. national anthem was first recognized by law in 1931, there was no prescription as to behavior during its playing. Beginning is 1942 and continuing to the most recent updates in 1976, suggested behavior is prescribed through law, with failure to observe it not being a violation of law. There are protocols with regard to standing, a formal salute by members of the military, and hand over the heart by civilians. There are some variations with regard to whether or not a flag is present and where people should face. There is general and widespread confusion over suggested flag and anthem protocols.

 

For instance, most people at baseball games violate one or more of them.

 

That is some of the history.

 

But, it is the future that matters most.

 

Shall we stand or shall we kneel?

 

I could enthusiastically stand for the America that Holmes envisioned, an America of justice for all, dignity, human rights, liberty, and truth. I could stand for the ideal, if if not fully realized. It is an America that is evolving and expanding in its vision while narrowing in its sense of self importance. I could stand for that.

 

I could kneel in prayer for those hopes and aspirations. Whether or not my body stands, my heart takes a knee.

 

"Oh say, can you see?"

 

We can see much through the eyes of faith, commitment and heart vision.

 

"By the dawn's early light" or the "twilights' last gleaming."

 

Both lights are dim but one is coming and the other going. Yes, I think I can see. 

 

I see a flag of freedom that flies from the lives of people who put their lives and reputations on the line in war or in board rooms or around supper tables or in the public arena who seek to unchain millions. That flag, I see and salute.

 

My body may stand in gratitude and resolve, but sometimes, it will kneel and shall always kneel in repentance, trust, and prayer for grace and mercy.

 

When i do stand, it is for your right to speak and do as you please.

 

When I kneel, it is a prayer for something greater than our will to prevail and it is an act of humility.

 

I stand and I kneel for full human rights protections for all people.

I stand and I kneel for full voting rights and protections for all.

I stand and I kneel for immigrants and refugees who see hope in America.

I stand and I kneel for dignity, respect, and community.

I stand and I kneel for representative democracy as the philosophical foundation of our republic.

I stand and I kneel for brotherhood and sisterhood.

I stand and I kneel for my neighbors, friends, and strangers.

I stand and I kneel for peace and stability.

I stand and I kneel for freedom of speech and religion.

I stand and I kneel for integrity.

I stand and I kneel for limits and accountability on power.

I stand and I kneel for racial justice.

I stand and I kneel for America.

 

God bless America and, America, bless God.