"Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave o're the land of the free and the home of the brave?" Our national anthem was written after a military victory, but citizens in many walks of life have contributed to sustaining freedom, our own personal freedom and the freedom of others.
Rituals at the beginning of sporting events and public meetings often include listening to and singing our national anthem with the expected body language or saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Prayers are often added. Everyone involved should have the freedom to participate or not.
We need to think about why these rituals begin these activities. Perhaps they make us all feel like a unified group living in a free country. After we honor country and God, we can get on with business or play; however, forced patriotism and religion does not connote freedom.
Freedoms are unlimited as long as they're legal. We need to question why some people get so insulted when others do not toe the line, do not conform to the norm. We don't want to understand and instead add a negative connotation to the non-traditional behavior.
We can show respect without being traditional, and respect is a two-way street. Some people do not feel respected by the majority, by our president, or by law enforcement officers. Our Pledge states we are one nation "with liberty and justice for all." Some people feel they haven't received justice. They are using their freedom to express their opinions. Making people aware of injustice and trying to improve conditions for everyone is patriotic.
Before 2009, the NFL entered the field after the national anthem. Between 2011 and 2015, the Defense Department paid $53 million of taxpayers' money to pro sports for marketing and advertising and to stage patriotic/military displays to boost military recruitment. Perhaps contact sports train our youth to fight the enemy, to win the battle, to claim the honor of victory.
Look to the eagle, a symbol of unlimited freedom. May we extend this freedom to all.
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