Oh Say, Can You Sit . . .

English: The Star Spangled Banner (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Whatever we think of the "Star Spangled Banner", penned by Francis Scott Key as he witnessed the Battle of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 (or so the story goes), either as a stirring tribute to America's greatness, or as an outdated ode to to war and racism sung to the tune of an old tavern chantey, we usually sing along or lip-sync the words at public events.  Because it's Our National Anthem, dude.  What's to think about?

Well, Colin Kaepernick did think about it.  The San Francisco 49ers quarterback sat down when the anthem was played before their NFL preseason game last Friday against the Green Bay Packers.  His reason?  The song represents the oppression of minorities like himself (he is African-American), and putting your hand over your heart while singing just reinforces that message.

This has led to predictable outrage from all those flag-waving yahoos. election-year politicians and veterans of lost wars who are upset that Kaepernick actually used his Constitutional right to not play along with everyone else's patriotism.

Critics will point to Kaepernick making millions throwing a football for a living, being raised by white parents, and being on shaky ground with 49ers management for not playing as well as he once did.  Maybe by the time you read this, Kaepernick will have already moved on to another NFL job.  Or, because of this controversy, he could end up where Chris Kluwe did--out of football because of his activism.

Actually, Kaepernick did a brave thing.  If any of us sat down during the anthem at a public event, we'd be greeted with angry stares and death threats from patrons with two or three beers in them, not to mention scorn from social media, family and friends.  At least at home, you can mute the anthem on your TV, change the channel or leave the room. Or wait for "O Canada" to come on.  It's called peer pressure. folks.

Anthem behavior is not mandated by the NFL.  But if any other player tried to do what Kaepernick did, a couple of 300-lb. defensive linemen and a vindictive coach will likely set him straight.  As it is, most athletes would rather avoid getting political for the sake of their careers and their endorsements.

Some people wish pro sports would just stay out of politics and get back to playing games.  Too late for that.  The NFL and other leagues take money from the Pentagon in exchange for military flyovers, free passes for veterans and active-duty soldiers, and fake "reunions".  Baseball's seventh inning stretch has replaced "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" with "God Bless America".  Stand up to cancer?  No thanks, we'll sit.  The leagues would rather sell patriotism and pink ribbons than admit it has problems with athletes accused of domestic violence, or address the ongoing tragedies of gun violence and police brutality.

There have often been calls to get rid of the "Star Spangled Banner"  as the national anthem, but so far no one's come up with a better alternative.  Here's one:  Keep the song, but use it only for championship events like the Super Bowl and national holidays.

Better yet, how about everyone treating each other with respect when someone dares to stand out from the crowd?  We don't need to be lectured to about freedom and democracy.  And don't tell us to stand and pretend to sing something written 200 years ago that no longer makes sense today.  If we want to honor America, we can do it our own way.