banefirelord
Banned
American here...I don't remember pledging allegiance or hearing the national anthem at all during my time in public school, except maybe during graduation or a holiday assembly. Then again, Wyoming was a weird fuckin' place.
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Are you brave enough to sit through the national anthem in public?
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I don't really find myself in a position to have the national anthem played at me that often these days, but I would generally sit during it or change the channel when it's on TV. I also sat through the pledge during most of high school so I was used to dealing with people's bullshit about it.
I'm Canadian and there were definitely periods that I found it really, hard to stay standing for the US. I just always did it though, but no one would care if you sat. Its mainly at hockey games and it's not uncommon to see people sit or to stand for the Canadian then sit or just walk away during the US. I know lots of guys that stand proudly for the Canadian then run to snag a beer during the US. Just depends on the current political climate.
Neither the pledge nor the anthem have ever troubled me. You can easily square dissatisfaction in the current regime with either. The pledge doesn't ask you to affirm the government, it asks you to affirm the principles of Liberty and Justice for All. If you don't think All are experiencing Liberty and Justice, then take the opportunity to reflect on the work you might do to move us closer to that ideal.
Opting out of either performance is obviously more conspicuous than a moment of internal reflection, so I understand it as a protest. But recognize that just because someone is participating, that doesn't mean they're caught up in blind nationalism, nor does it mean they're "afraid" to dissent. I don't stand for "the troops", I stand for the Republic, abstract and aspirational.
Opting out of either performance is obviously more conspicuous than a moment of internal reflection, so I understand it as a protest. But recognize that just because someone is participating, that doesn't mean they're caught up in blind nationalism, nor does it mean they're "afraid" to dissent. I don't stand for "the troops", I stand for the Republic, abstract and aspirational.
dskillzhtown
keep your strippers out of my American football
I live in the US, been to tons of sporting events and these accounts of many people not standing for the anthem is something I personally have not witnessed. I see everyone standing and in the concourse everyone stops walking. They concession sellers even stop what they are doing until it is over. There are very few that continue to walk, but it is such a chore to get through, they usually stop eventually.
theechrisfox
Member
I have done that plenty of times at Knicks and 76ers games. So brave.
PlayALLtheGames
Banned
I do it sometimes at hockey games; nobody has ever said anything. If they did, I'd tell them to kindly piss off.
Also, the Washington Capitals have a tradition where, during the anthem, we yell "RED" during "rockets' red glare" and "O!" during "O! Say, does that star spangled banner...", so you're not going to tell me I can't sit because the anthem is so fucking sacred.
Also, the Washington Capitals have a tradition where, during the anthem, we yell "RED" during "rockets' red glare" and "O!" during "O! Say, does that star spangled banner...", so you're not going to tell me I can't sit because the anthem is so fucking sacred.
Squirrel Killer
Member
Am I "brave" enough to sit through the national anthem? Absolutely. I highly recommend this blog post on the subject.
LegendofJoe
Member
I've done it before, long before Colin K did it. The rampant nationalism in this country sickens me as well. The way our government treats the average citizen isn't worthy of respect or adoration.
DontBeThatGuy
Member
I refused to say the pledge of allegiance once in 5th grade, and they put my ass out in the hallway. (I buckled the next day though)
LookAtMeGo
Member
I was made to do it as a kid growing up from kindergarten all through highschool so it doesnt bother me. Im used to it.
Vicetrailia
Banned
I always sit at ganes anyway. A lot of people do.
^ Exactly. People are mad that he spoke up about police violence, and make up never intentioned excuses to justify/hide it .
^ Exactly. People are mad that he spoke up about police violence, and make up never intentioned excuses to justify/hide it .
Vulcano's assistant
Banned
Not for other peoples anthems, but willing to for Venezuela's.
Vulcano's assistant
Banned
Thinking about it, I'll be almost more concerned about other people thinking I'm lazy than disrespectful.
Mammoth Jones
Member
I always stand just to show respect. No, I wouldn't sit intentionally during it.
Children pledging allegiance to the flag, repeating the anthem by rote is creepy as hell. I'm an adult and I've never pledged allegiance to our flag. If I was in America I'd stand because I'm fairly sure some twat would take offence despite my telling them that I'm not actually American.
Elitist1945
Member
Yes. I don't really grasp the concept of standing (and placing your hand on your chest, for that matter) to a national anthem. I also find national anthems themselves weird, though.
JoeyJungle
Banned
With my iPhone 7, I'll have the courage to do anything
sorry for shitposting
Rest
All these years later I still chuckle at what a fucking moron that guy is.
Yeah, I've done it. I was at a rodeo, they were going to play the national anthem, and the redneck on the mic said "alright, it's time for the National Anthem. Please rise and remove cover." I'd been walking around all day and was tired, so I sure as hell wasn't going to stand, and the idea that hats are disrespectful is idiotic nonsense. So I sat and kept my hat on.
The redneck on the mic, I'm not quite sure where he was, could see me, and for about five minutes kept repeating "please rise and remove cover" because I was wearing a hat and sitting. Since I'm a free person I continued to obey my own body and sense of reason and did neither. Eventually he got tired of waiting and hit the play button.
Currently in Wyoming, can confirm.
The redneck on the mic, I'm not quite sure where he was, could see me, and for about five minutes kept repeating "please rise and remove cover" because I was wearing a hat and sitting. Since I'm a free person I continued to obey my own body and sense of reason and did neither. Eventually he got tired of waiting and hit the play button.
Currently in Wyoming, can confirm.
Ordinaryundone
Member
There is no rule man, just do what feels right. At most it's encouraged that you stand and take off your hat if you have one. Most people don't sing, though some people like to cheer during the song especially during the high notes on "the rockets red glare" and "o'er The land of the free" if the singer is nailing it. Other than that, you can't go wrong just doing what the crowd around you is doing.
pelicansurf
Needs a Holiday on Gallifrey
I've done it a bunch and for no particular reason besides malaise.
mrhyderager
Member
I've sat through it several times without realizing it because I was preoccupied or whatever. The Kaepernick thing is sensationalist media at it's finest.
If I'm aware it's going on at the time, i'll stand and remove my cap. If I miss it or flat out stay seated, oh well. I think intent is everything. I just hope that the folks that protest (which is well within their rights) take a moment to realize that the fact they're able to do so is not to be taken lightly.
If I'm aware it's going on at the time, i'll stand and remove my cap. If I miss it or flat out stay seated, oh well. I think intent is everything. I just hope that the folks that protest (which is well within their rights) take a moment to realize that the fact they're able to do so is not to be taken lightly.
Rest
All these years later I still chuckle at what a fucking moron that guy is.
Generally you're expected to stand for any national anthem that's played. If it's your county's anthem the custom is to place your hand over your heart, but if you watch any sports games, you'll see that some people have their hands at their sides, behind their back, interlocked in front of them, or whatever is comfortable.
There's also this archaic, obsolete idea that wearing a hat is disrespectful. So far as I can tell this is literally based on nothing, so is completely arbitrary. I've asked dozens of people to explain the rationale or history of this, and no one has ever had any answer of any kind. I would personally encourage you to keep any hats wherever you like them on or off of your person.
Knuckle Sandwich
Member
I have sat through the anthem countless times. Nobody gave a shit and if they did I didn't notice.
Beer Monkey
Member
I usually try to be in the beer line or the pisser during the anthem. I know I'm not the only one.
Rest
All these years later I still chuckle at what a fucking moron that guy is.
The government ≠ the nation
Government officials ≠ the nation
America is an idea, not a government. The nation that makes up America are the people that believe in the promise of the New World and the ideals of freedom and justice for everyone. The United States of America is the name of a governing body, not a nation and not a country.
Wuthering_Heights
Banned
Sure. But I won't. I love the USA and will always stand.
I care about the anthem as a veteran. I stand to show support for my brothers in arms, past and present. I also understand it doesn't represent the same thing to everyone, so if they choose to sit down instead, I'm not going to try to stop them. Unfortuantely, for a weird subset of Americans, there's a kind of idolatry that is frightening.
andthebeatgoeson
Junior Member
It's a conflation. National anthems are for pride of country, not just the military. Or, people can make up what they think. But don't impose it on other people.
O.v.e.rlord
Banned
The Abominable Snowman
Member
I only do it when I dont feel like standing.
Which is always.
Which is always.
andthebeatgoeson
Junior Member
94, i was sent to the principal's office for not standing. They told me to stand. I did. I rebelled.
maquiladora
Member
Brave? It's a song....a celebration of nationalism set to music. Yeah I'll be sitting right here.
AbortedWalrusFetus
Member
I was raised a JW so I never pledged the flag or stood for the anthem as a kid.
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