Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Due to the historically prejudice atmosphere that inspired our national anthem, I believe that a change is in order. Many of our citizens are unaware that our national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner" originally named the "The Battle Of Fort McHenry" includes 4 stanzas typically ommitted from recital. The 3rd stanza includes lyrics that many African Americans AND Americans of other ethnicities find offensive. The lyrics in question are as follows:
"Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps pollution
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave
And the star spangled banner in triumph doth wave..."
These lyrics are celebratng of the slaughter of the freed slaves that were granted their freedom by the British in return for fighting with them during the War of 1812. The surviving slaves were indeed granted their freedom after the war but not until their freedom was purchased by the British.
The Star Spangled Banner was enacted into being the offical national anthem by former President Woodrow Wilson in 1931. Woodrow Wilson was a staunch champion of segregation and his actions during his presidency clearly reflect his firm belief that African Americans were an inferior race and not worthy of equality. Among these multiple acts include passing a law that made it a felony for a black man to marry a white woman.
Furthermore, "The Star Spangled Banner" was authored by Francis Scott Key, a well documented anti-abolitionist and proud slaveowner.
Finally, when you consider that the emancipation of slavery did not occur until 1864, some 50 years after this song was written, and that America was not in fact the "Land of the free" as described in our anthem, one must be compelled to conclude that this song was not written to include the approximately 13% of African Americans within our national population in its lyrics. I therefore petition a change to elect another, more all inclusive anthem for the advancement of true equality and the preservation of national pride.
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Update our nations anthem to represent all that have made it great
Change the National Anthem
Updates
September 2, 2016
The momentum behind this is undeniable. People are finally looking at the real history of these lyrics.
20 Comments
History is history but we dont have to sing about that part anymore. lets get something that actually makes everyone feel included when we stand for the flag.
Time to change it if the country is really about progress and building the future then we need to correct the fouls of the past
Wtf???/show a Black person some love all that coughing and evil mind game crap and unnecessary negative energy senseless and it's not just white folks doing it it's the foreigners who actually have their own languages a country damn their own neighborhood to go back to The anthem the additional verses should just be deleted I served my country. And I'm suppose to just accept disrespect GTFOH I'm cool as a fan nice try to make people Respectful even to those I know would like to my downfall Displaying maturity some decency because There's no hate in my heart I don't see people no.matter the race and feel.anyway about them smh
If they have the power to take "One nation, under God" out of our schools, certainly they have the power to update our nation's anthem!
I am proud to be the first of many in this pursuit. It is long overdue! Let us reinvigorate our patriotism and uphold the principles as described in our constitution.
The anthem should've long ago been abolished
Due for a change because we are changing for the better.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Due to the historically prejudice atmosphere that inspired our national anthem, I believe that a change is in order. Many of our citizens are unaware that our national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner" originally named the "The Battle Of Fort McHenry" includes 4 stanzas typically ommitted from recital. The 3rd stanza includes lyrics that many African Americans AND Americans of other ethnicities find offensive. The lyrics in question are as follows:
"Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps pollution
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave
And the star spangled banner in triumph doth wave..."
These lyrics are celebratng of the slaughter of the freed slaves that were granted their freedom by the British in return for fighting with them during the War of 1812. The surviving slaves were indeed granted their freedom after the war but not until their freedom was purchased by the British.
The Star Spangled Banner was enacted into being the offical national anthem by former President Woodrow Wilson in 1931. Woodrow Wilson was a staunch champion of segregation and his actions during his presidency clearly reflect his firm belief that African Americans were an inferior race and not worthy of equality. Among these multiple acts include passing a law that made it a felony for a black man to marry a white woman.
Furthermore, "The Star Spangled Banner" was authored by Francis Scott Key, a well documented anti-abolitionist and proud slaveowner.
Finally, when you consider that the emancipation of slavery did not occur until 1864, some 50 years after this song was written, and that America was not in fact the "Land of the free" as described in our anthem, one must be compelled to conclude that this song was not written to include the approximately 13% of African Americans within our national population in its lyrics. I therefore petition a change to elect another, more all inclusive anthem for the advancement of true equality and the preservation of national pride.
Updates
September 2, 2016
The momentum behind this is undeniable. People are finally looking at the real history of these lyrics.
20 Comments
It is not in unity and how can we portray ourselves to be the United States when we are divided on so many levels. Change the song!
History is history but we dont have to sing about that part anymore. lets get something that actually makes everyone feel included when we stand for the flag.
Time to change it if the country is really about progress and building the future then we need to correct the fouls of the past
Wtf???/show a Black person some love all that coughing and evil mind game crap and unnecessary negative energy senseless and it's not just white folks doing it it's the foreigners who actually have their own languages a country damn their own neighborhood to go back to The anthem the additional verses should just be deleted I served my country. And I'm suppose to just accept disrespect GTFOH I'm cool as a fan nice try to make people Respectful even to those I know would like to my downfall Displaying maturity some decency because There's no hate in my heart I don't see people no.matter the race and feel.anyway about them smh
If they have the power to take "One nation, under God" out of our schools, certainly they have the power to update our nation's anthem!
I am proud to be the first of many in this pursuit. It is long overdue! Let us reinvigorate our patriotism and uphold the principles as described in our constitution.
The anthem should've long ago been abolished
Due for a change because we are changing for the better.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
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It is not in unity and how can we portray ourselves to be the United States when we are divided on so many levels. Change the song!