Black Resistance and the National Anthem
I have said on more than one occasion that African Americans have nothing to prove when it comes to love of the United States of America. Absolutely nothing. Whether a Black person’s family has several generations in this country or are first generation Americans, Black people have their different stories and our own unique reasons for loving America and why it belongs to us as much as anyone. However, it has annoyed me that some folks continue to use words like “disloyal” to describe the athletes protesting during the national anthem. I also find it disgusting when people react to these protesters by saying that if these athletes don’t want to respect the flag and the national anthem, they should go to another country, particularly a country that doesn’t have the “freedoms” we have in this country.
First of all, unless you have never read a damn history book in your life, you know that African Americans have a “complicated” history with America. That history has remained complicated for the last few centuries, even with a Black president. Secondly, how dare you have the flipping nerve to tell Black people about freedom in America? The only reason that America can boast about freedom and justice for all is because of the tireless efforts of Black folks and other “minorities” risking their lives and their children’s lives to PROTEST for freedom, justice, “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” The freedoms in this country obviously didn’t come right away for Black people.
Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem with teammate, Eric Reid.
What good was the 1st Amendment freedom of speech, religion, assembly and the press when, at the time of this nation’s founding, it was illegal for Black people to read or write, and Black people could be whipped and/or killed for criticizing a white man/woman or for walking outside of the property lines of a plantation or gathering with other Black people without the permission of a white person?
What good was the 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th Amendments guaranteeing the right to be safe from unreasonable search and seizure, and the right to due process, and the right to a speedy criminal trial in front of a jury of your peers, and the right to be safe from cruel and unusual punishment when Black people, from the days of enslavement right through the 1960s, would be dragged out of their homes or police stations or jails and be hung, burned alive or mutilated (or all three at the same time) for being *accused* of crimes? And many of these incidents did not involve actual “crimes”, they could be for looking at a white person the “wrong” way or for whistling at a white woman. The remains of these Black bodies would then be collected as trinkets and souvenirs like the body parts of a hunted animal. And of course, no white person would be convicted, or even charged, for these heinous acts.
Freedom? You want to talk about freedom? Black men had the right to vote in 1870 (women in 1920), but didn’t have the freedom to vote until 1965.
This country has never progressed without purposeful, uncomfortable, and in-your-face protests and rebellion. Black people have usually been on the right side of history when we tell the world that America is not living up to its ideals of freedom and justice for all. Black people have lead the way in rebelling against injustice on this land since before there was a United States. This moment and movement is no different. I will not lose any sleep about protesting a national anthem written by a “slave” owner who could not seem to fathom that enslaved people would dare take up arms for England to get freedom and “betray” the hypocritical nation that legalized their bondage.
Freedom does not come to people sitting back and waiting for it. Immigrant rights, women’s rights, and LGBTQ rights have only come through long battles of protest. If folks don’t like seeing Black people protest, then just say that. Don’t tell people that you “understand the cause, but you don’t agree with the method.” When we march and chant, “no justice, no peace”, you don’t like it. When we block the highways, you don’t like that. When we silently take a knee or sit down when the anthem is being played, you don’t like that either. So, we just won’t care what you like. We will demand and love justice in spite of your feelings.
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