On Changing the National Anthem

One of the best lines from Forest Gump is “Stupid is as stupid does.”

With that in mind, the idea of getting rid of the Star Spangled Banner as the National Anthem because Francis Scott Key was a slave holder is beyond belief!

The Star Spangled Banner was originally a poem entitled “Defense of Fort McHenry” written by Francis Scott Key while on board a British “Ship of the Line” (the 1800’s version of a Battleship). He was there attempting to negotiate a prisoner exchange at witnessed the attack by the British on the Fort on September 14, 1814. It became the National Anthem in 1931.  The song has NOTHING to do with slavery.   

Just because a person who was a slave holder over 200 years ago wrote the lyrics, does not mean we should get rid of the song as the National Anthem.  

Ironically, it is the words written by another slave holder that have help inspired thousands and thousands of individuals across this planet to fight for the right to be free... those words being: 

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights- that amount these rights are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness...”

Are we going to abolish a cornerstone document of freedom, because it’s author held slaves?

On Changing the National Anthem