Slavery and the National Anthem: The Surprising History Behind Colin Kaepernick's Protest

AJ Willingham CNN.com
Jackie Robinson, writing in 1972: I cannot stand and sing the anthem. I cannot salute the flag. I know that I am a black man in a white world. Jim Brown, the Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame running backin 2016 said he stands '100 percent' behind Colin Kaepernick. Further, Kaepernick 'made all the sense in the world' in explaining his position. This is part of a long tradition of athletes, especially African American athletes combining sport and protest. (* ESPN)

Pete Seeger: The Star Spangled Banner

Pete Seeger recites a poem on the American Flag and gives the history of the National Anthem of the United States at Smithsonian Folkways' Ralph Rinzler memorial in New Market, Tennessee in 1995. The "Star Spangled Banner", features lyrics by Francis Scott Key set to the tune of a popular British drinking song "To Anacreon in Heaven" written by John Stafford Smith. More.
 
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