1 of 2

Yes

Write now Article Tools

Yes, our pop culture shows disrespect to the US National Anthem.

However, to answer this question in the affirmative requires some mental gymnastics on the part of a conscientious writer when the argument in question is missing the required "to." I'm not sure, as a matter of fact if "...our pop culture show disrespect the US National Anthem." But if I'm understanding the question correctly, there can be no other rational answer than a resounding and unqualified 'yes.'

To be sure, American pop culture shows an astonishing lack of respect to ANYTHING worthwhile, and in certain instances most especially to the United States National Anthem in particular. It's not about sporting events-although that is where most everybody hears our National Anthem on a regular basis. That's not what is at issue here. It's about "our (presumably American)" National Anthem, and whether or not is has been violated by the prevailing pop culture.

The reason why we must divorce sporting events from the debate is that they ARE pop culture. The debate rages on about who should be NBA MVP this year, whether Barry Bonds should have an asterisk by his name in record books, and what Micheal Vick has done to tarnish the NFL's reputation. These things are by their very nature pop culture.

It seems to me that a proper discussion of this issue should draw some distinction between these issues and the lyrics written by an American aboard a British warship nearly two hundred years ago.

Francis Scott Key wrote 'The Star Spangled Banner' in 1814, watching Baltimore's Fort McHenry as it was bombarded throughout the night. He was in an uncertain condition, wondering whether he'd live another day as a prisoner of war, whether his countrymen ashore would persevere, and whether-as Washington D.C. had recently been burned to the ground-there was any hope for his country to survive. What has been bequeathed to us from a horrific and uncertain night is our National Anthem. What was created through strife and no small amount of courage has become the song we sing in an obligatory way before we see Lebron James make a spectacular dunk. Perhaps we're exposed to it before Barry Bonds hits another dinger! Hoo-ray for sports!

Perhaps in a not-so-distant future American Idol will have its contestants sing the National Anthem to determine the winner. The nation might stand polarized as we hear Nigel's commentary about how X was better than Y and why and who and why not?

This

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Does our pop culture show disrespect the US National Anthem??
We want to hear your view. Write now!