And the reason why they are called "national" is precisely because each individual nation identities itself as a sovereign or a unique nation.
Now each nation of course have their own set of laws and customs and traditions on how their people shall conduct themselves whenever their nation's colors are displayed or whenever a rendition of their anthem is being performed. Visitors to any country should be familiar with the local laws and the customs, if they know what is good for them.
In a few places, you could probably land in jail, fined, beaten up or end up missing if you disrespect their flag or their song or if you do anything to offend their people or their national pride.
In the U S of A
Now in the United States of America (which is an oxymoron term in itself, as nothing is really united about these united states), in generations past, children have been brought up to generally respect the nation, the flag and the anthem.
In the not so distant past, children were forced to sing the national anthem in public schools. Well not anymore. I guess it is not politically correct to instill nationalistic pride or fervor.
Today, the anthem is normally only played during sporting events, and the common person wouldn't even hear it at any other public place.
And so today, we can sing, hum, put our right hand over our left chest, salute, sit down, kneel, stand up, tap dance, break dance, eat, slurp, burp, text, take a selfie, lie down, snore or do absolutely anything when the national anthem is being played. I guess, nobody should really be upset about this. We do have it within our individual rights to do so. Just be careful not to break any laws while exercising your right to do it.
Professional Sports
Just as what's his name, Colin Kapernick and the other football (okay soccer) player, Megan Rapinoe have now made it fashionable to sit down or to take a knee during the rendition of the national anthem during the start of their professional games. They do have the name and the money to do that. And really, my only rant for today is for the media to quit giving these athletes all this attention, other poorer people are just as disrespectful anyway.
Sandy Hook Elementary School Chorus Singing "America the Beautiful" at Super Bowl XLVII
Wikimedia Commons, Aur Kirk
Consequences
But they do, like everyone else, have to live with the after effects of their right to their freedom of expression. Not withstanding that section 171 of the Flag Laws (Title 36, Chapter 10) does lay down the guidelines or the proper etiquette for citizens and non-citizens alike, on how to conduct themselves during any public rendition of the national anthem. Source: Publications.USA.gov
Yes, even though the leader of this nation has given his nod to this fad, it still is a national custom to give due respect to the national flag and the national anthem as set down in the laws of the nation. So let us just keep that in mind.
Also, if they can dish it, they should also be able to take it. I mean, there will be benefits to their acts of course, and that's well and good. There will be people and movements who will join them.
But of course they will be others who will take offense or be upset, and some will be within their rights to do so. And of course there will be a backlash. Ready or not, these multi-millionaire athletes should also be ready to accept anything and everything. Well, this is the land of the free and the home of the brave.
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Newest Law Regarding the Conduct Towards the National Anthem, Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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