The national anthem is often controversial. But in this article, we will examine the issue of a performance of “Hail, Columbia” by Zane Aiko, a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Mickey Guyton, and a poem by Francis Scott Key. We’ll also consider the issue of Dissidents’ refusal to stand or kneel during the anthem. You can approach this issue more confidently after reading this essay.
Mickey Guyton’s rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” – National Anthem
The singer was born in Arlington, Texas, and graduated from Mansfield High School. Guyton will perform the national anthem at Super Bowl LVI when the Los Angeles Rams take on the Cincinnati Bengals. Guyton was first inspired to sing the national anthem by LeAnn Rimes. In 2015, she released her self-titled debut EP, which received a Grammy nomination.
The Grammy-nominated singer opted for an unusually short rendition of the national anthem because she wanted to focus on uniting Americans. She included a choir during her performance. In a subsequent interview with The Washington Post, Guyton outlined the message behind his performance and addressed the rifts that divide our nation. The performance has since received widespread praise, from Hollywood to the country music industry.
Guyton made history as a Grammy Award-nominated singer at the 2017 ceremony. She is the first black national anthem woman to be nominated for a country music category. She started singing in church choirs at a young age. Known as a singer as a child, Texas Rangers baseball opener Leanne Watching her sing inspired Reams to pursue acting professionally ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ in high school.
It was a performance that will go down in history as the best Super Bowl national anthem performance in recent memory. Guyton’s 1:30-long rendition of the anthem has earned him a nickname in the country music world. Oddsmakers had predicted the anthem to last just 1:35 minutes. The Grammy-nominated country singer said the national anthem at the national anthem super bowl wouldn’t be so quick. Where the average time is about two minutes.
Guyton’s performance is both an honor and a challenge. In the entertainment industry, being a black woman is a superpower. Guyton’s 2020 Grammy-nominated song delves into the challenges of being a woman in the male-dominated country music industry. Moreover, she sings “America the Beautiful” with a choir and pitch-perfect songbird vocals. The fans erupted in applause, while some players appeared moved.
Francis Scott Key’s poem – National Anthem
The national anthem comes from the poem “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key. who was not particularly famous in their time. He was a lawyer by profession and only wrote poetry as a hobby. The Battle of Baltimore served as the inspiration for this poem. Which happened in 1814. The poem recounts the harrowing siege between American and British forces.
The first verse of The Star-Spangled Banner contains the phrase, “hirelings and slaves.” The phrase is a rhetorical device widely used in the US press during the War of 1812. Despite its obvious racial connotation, the phrase probably means that. Inspire patriotic fervor in readers by acknowledging the defense of Baltimore. It is not clear whether Key intended to convey his views on chattel slavery through the poem.
The poem appeared in newspapers and eventually became a hit-drinking song. It was then arranged into tunes that were popular at the time. The song was later renamed “The Star-Spangled Banner”. It became known as the National Anthem. Assigned to Woodrow Wilson in 1916. To run it in all official programs. It was adopted as the national anthem on March 3, 1931. Francis Scott Key died of leprosy on January 11, 1843.
The poem began with a reference to the US flag. This flag was still flying high over Fort McHenry when Key wrote it. He continues the argument in the third stanza and says. “The British had sworn to leave us without a home and a country”. At the time, the United States was still fighting with Britain over its independence from England. The song was written a few years after the War of 1812.
While many Americans were unhappy about the War of 1812, Key had a different perspective. He was an amateur poet and lawyer. He had to deal with the British government, which was larger than the US Navy and Army. The War of 1812 was not only unpleasant but bad for American trade. Because Great Britain was the largest trading partner of US merchants.
Jhene Aiko’s rendition of “Hail, Columbia”
If you’ve ever attended a sporting event you’ve probably heard the national anthem. And if so, you know how incredible that is. But that makes Zayn Aiko’s rendition of “Hail Columbia” even more amazing. It’s her Grammy-nominated voice. Whereas the national anthem is a collection of tunes. This year the Super Bowl is performed by the National Anthem. Grammy-nominated artist Jhene Aiko.
Dissidents’ refusal to stand or kneel during the national anthem
The civil rights movement gave rise to more visible anthem protests. In 1968, Black American runners raised their black fists during the national anthem during the Olympics in Mexico City. The International Olympic Committee banned these athletes from further competition due to the Black Power salute. The International Olympic Committee prohibits athletes from mixing politics with athletics. Hence it is important to note the history behind the protest.
The American Civil War and the Vietnam War fueled a ferocious debate about patriotism and dissent. Black men and women are often despised by police officers. He has been targeted and beaten for protesting. The racial profiling that occurs then. When police officers assume crimes based on race, ethnicity, and national origin. Dissidents refuse to stand or kneel during the national anthem. Two unarmed black individuals were shot by police in 2014. Those are frequently cited as instances of white police officers engaging in racial profiling.
Protests of this sort have been taking place throughout history. In the past, black players and professional athletes have protested. Calling attention to police killings of unarmed black Americans during the national anthem. The NFL players involved in these protests have become synonymous with the Black Lives Matter movement. While these actions are certainly legitimate, the protests are counterproductive and cause a great deal of division in our nation.
