Lawyer-poet Key, born to massive slaveholding wealth in Maryland, was one of the richest men in America. Whatever side you’re on, we all need to know the roots of “The Star-Spangled Banner” run deep in slavery’s soil. But the backstory and crosscurrents of the anthem are as unresolved as the NFL player challenges still likely to come on game days. It might seem like Key is up past his historical bedtime. His actions, joined by other players, drew President Donald Trump’s fury and divided public opinion. How deep is seldom told.įor the record, Kaepernick’s peaceful protest was aimed at police brutality toward black men. I frankly am more offended by people who wear the flag as a pair of short pants.Whatever side you’re on, we all need to know the roots of “The Star-Spangled Banner” anthem run deep in slavery’s soil. Said Wickham, “I’m a Vietnam veteran and I’m not offended by someone who peacefully protests at the playing of the National Anthem. On the other side, dissatisfaction with Francis Scott Key may have spurred vandals to deface a Baltimore statue of the composer with red paint and the slogan “Racist Anthem.”ĭeWayne Wickham, dean of the School of Global Journalism and Communication at Morgan State, where the documentary was produced, said, “There are so many people who know so little about history, including, apparently, the president of the United States.” “Why would I stand for something that’s not standing for me?” His attitude upon learning of the third verse was, “OK, this national anthem is not intended for African-Americans.” And considering that the NFL is predominantly black, he sees no inconsistency in protesting. He adds that "slave" was a common epithet, hurled at blacks and whites, and that "hireling and slave" was likely a criticism of the British use of involuntary conscripts and mercenaries.īut Saunders is unconvinced. Walter Olson, writing in The National Review, points out that nobody asked Key what he was implying. RELATED: WWII veteran, 97, kneels in support of protests RELATED: Falcons explain why they knelt during National Anthem
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