Poetic License Raises A Star-Spangled Debate by Lara Pellegrinelli July 03, 2009 1:51 PM ET .. bits ..
.. from link in article ..
Black National Anthem replaces Star-Spangled Banner
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Fan Mail
The sales of her recordings have been modest, but the response to her performance in Denver was startling: more than 1,600 e-mails. Many African-Americans were offended by her use of the national anthem; some objected to her adaptation of "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
Other e-mails were laced with racial slurs. A handful were death threats.
"I've had so many e-mails," Marie says, "some of the e-mails saying that 'The Star Spangled Banner' is sacred. Oh, really. Maybe it's sacred to you. That's fine, that's cool. But it's not sacred to me. The guy, the dude who wrote it, he's a slave owner."
Francis Scott Key was a plantation owner, and the melody, which so many consider sacred, was borrowed from an English drinking tune. In addition to the e-mails, Marie got phone calls — which she answered.
"I learned a lot," Marie says. "And I had some really good phone calls from complete strangers. A lot didn't expect me to answer the phone. They kind of sputtered for the first few seconds. 'Well, I just wanted to tell you what I thought about it.' 'OK, tell me, I'm listening.'
"That's when I realized you don't have to agree, but listening sure does go a long way toward peaceful relations — when people feel they are being heard."
ARA: Why do students ‘yell’ during the National Anthem?
Posted on February 21, 2012 | By Kristi Gustafson Barlette
A reader asks:
I’ve gone to a few Union College hockey games this year and every game I’m disgusted at the very same moment….
Last Saturday night at the game they had a choir singing the national anthem to start the game, ” Oh say can …” what comes next “you”? nope.
All the students in the house scream as loud as can be ‘U”. OK, I know this is Union college, but please don’t desecrate our anthem with your interpretation.
Cmon kids grow up and end this garbage, have some respect. Who’s with me?
Note from Kristi: I have noticed this when shooting Seen at Union football games in the fall and, I agree, I have always found it rude, disrespectful and unnecessary.
Sing-along during national anthem is disrespectful
Posted: Saturday, February 1, 2014 12:00 pm
Austin Spillane, Opinion Columnist | 0 comments
On Jan.25, I attended the women's basketball game against Marquette. While the ticket for the men's game was a nice perk, it was not the first (or last) women's game I have attended.
In fact, I wish more students went to the women's games. It's excellent basketball to watch. This is not the point I wish to address, however.
Before the game, during the national anthem, the pep band began to sing along with the vocalist brought in to perform the anthem. I have noticed this at several games, and it represents a concerning trend of disrespect for both the moment and for the guest musician given the honor of performing the anthem.
The presentation of colors and the performance of our national anthem before sporting events is an old and proud tradition. It is a reminder that, even though we compete against each other on the field or court, we are united as a nation. We have the leisure to compete in sports because of the sacrifices of others. This should not be a somber moment by any stretch of the imagination. Still, the performance of the anthem is not without purpose.
Perhaps more intimately important, Creighton frequently has students or local musical groups perform the anthem. This is seen as an honor, particularly if they are performing at the men's games, which will likely be the largest crowd they ever perform for. By having a large group of students "sing along," it takes away from the special moment these performers deserve.
Further, “The Star Spangled Banner” is not the easiest piece to perform, even for professionals. It has a devilishly wide range and veteran singers have been known to forget the lyrics. Many performers also like to put their own "spin" on the song when they perform it. Having an unexpected group attempting to sing along can be very distracting for a performer. Plus, given the complexity of the song, it usually doesn't sound that good when performed by untrained voices. If trained voices struggle to perform the song well, it's easy to understand why amateur voices should be reluctant to try to sing it.
This is not to say that there aren't appropriate moments of patriotic pride. It is completely understandable why Americans attending their first public performance of the anthem after a national tragedy may be moved to sing out in one voice. These are incredibly touching and organic moments that speak to the enduring spirit of the American people. As such, they should not be confused with normal (although I hate to use that word) renditions of the anthem.
I appreciate the dedication and enthusiasm of the Creighton pep band. I count amongst their membership several of my friends. However, I simply ask them to not encourage people to sing at an inappropriate moment. Let the anthem before sporting events be a moment of reflection and allow the performer to have the spotlight for that moment. To me, this just seems to be, well, American.
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act,1971 is an Act of the Parliament of India which prohibits desecration of or insult to the country's national symbols, including the flag,map, constitution, and anthem.
The national legislature passed a version of this law in 1971, with significant amendments in 2003 that further prohibited many previously common uses of the flag, such as draping it over a podium during a speech, using it as decor, or incorporating it into clothing designs.
Schools under fire for 'Christian' national anthem
Updated Fri 23 Sep 2011, 4:42pm AEST
Photo: Schools in Perth have come under fire for singing a Christian version of the national anthem (Baston, file photo: www.flickr.com)
The head of a Christian schools group has defended the practice of having students sing an additional religious verse to the national anthem.
Instead of the official second verse of Advance Australia Fair, the alternative verse reads:
--- With Christ our head and cornerstone, we'll build our nation's might;
Whose way and truth and light alone, can guide our path aright;
Our lives a sacrifice of love, reflect our master's care;
With faces turned to heav'n above, Advance Australia Fair;
In joyful strains then let us sing, Advance Australia Fair. ---
It has been reported that students at at least two private schools in Perth sing the extra verse.
Christian Schools Australia chief executive Stephen O'Doherty told the ABC there is nothing wrong with singing an additional verse.
"What sort of nation is it if somebody wants to stop young kids from singing that they want to be servants of their nation; they want to build community on the strong foundations of their belief in God?"
But Warren Pearson, chief executive of the National Australia Day Council, says changing the words should not be encouraged because students are no longer singing the national anthem.
"I think it's wonderful that young people in Christian schools, in all different schools, sing the national anthem," he said.
"And in some schools they might go and sing the Christian verse, that's fine, but at that point they are singing the verse from Advance Australia Fair; technically they're no longer singing the national anthem."
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