Summary/Response- Beyond Basic Patriotism
Haley Lewis
English 101
Summary/Response Essay
October 18, 2016
Beyond Basic Patriotism
The controversy about Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the playing of the national anthem has spread all over America. There has been news articles and interviews regarding the controversy. Many Americans are criticizing Kaepernick for his decision to kneel, rather than stand, for the national anthem. Although many Americans criticize him, there are some fans that support his choice to express his rights. The article “How Sports Can Move Beyond Lip-Service Patriotism” by Sean Gregory, however, focuses on how Americans should show patriotism in a more meaningful way than singing the national anthem at sporting events. Gregory expresses that sport leagues have good intentions when playing the national anthem, sports leagues and fans can do more than sing the national anthem to link patriotism and sports, and the leagues could donate a percentage of ticket sales to a worthy organization; I agree with Gregory’s points.
Colin Kaepernick, 49ers quarterback, no longer stands during the singing of the national anthem, and his choice is starting controversy in America. Gregory explains Kaepernick’s reasoning; it is a way to not, “show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color” (qtd. in Gregory par. 1). Kaepernick is strongly criticized for his choice; however, his choice has created more questions for the American public. Gregory adds that since this event, some are wondering if sporting events should even play the national anthem. “The Star-Spangled Banner” was played at a sporting event for the first time in 1862 at a baseball game in Brooklyn. However, the anthem was also played at Game One of the World Series in 1918 (Gregory par. 4). According to Mark Clague, “A ritual like the national anthem became part of the war effort on the home front, and says that sports is committed to all things American” (qtd. in Gregory par. 5). Gregory wonders that if the main point of linking sports and patriotism is to make a difference, then the sports leagues could donate a percentage of the ticket sales to an organization. Gregory states that if the fans feel offended when someone chooses not to participate in the singing of the national anthem, then now is the time to re-evaluate the acts that we consider patriotic.
Gregory feels that the “The Star-Spangled Banner” is played at sporting events due to the fact that the sport leagues have good intentions of being patriotic and I agree. He says, “Not surprisingly in the nation that regularly builds billion dollar stadiums, the answer is a mix of good intentions and shrewd opportunism” (Gregory par. 4). I agree that the national anthem is played because the sport leagues have good intentions to show respect to America and all of the American war Veterans. One problem with the act of patriotism is that there is no change happening as a result. There should be a more meaningful act of patriotism behind the relationship of sports and patriotism.
In the article Gregory rightfully points out that if leagues want to link sports and patriotism in a way that is meaningful; leagues and fans could do more than just sing the national anthem. He states, “But if the larger goal of linking sports and patriotism is to create more meaningful support of one’s country, there’s more that leagues-and fans- could be doing than belting an anthem” (Gregory par. 6). If sport leagues wanted to make the link between sports and patriotism more meaningful, I agree that the leagues could do more than sing the national anthem. Just because the crowd sings the anthem, does not mean the fans are making a difference in our communities. To make a difference, leagues should donate money or services to worthy organizations.
Gregory and I believe that if each sports team gave a small portion of their tickets sales, the teams could raise millions of dollars for worthy organizations. Gregory says, “Even allocating a small amount (say, 50 cents) of each sale to a worthy organization could generate millions of dollars, if applied to each one of the 32 teams” (Gregory par. 6). The league donating a percentage of the ticket sales is a good way to raise money for worthy organizations. The sports leagues make plenty of money and donating some of their profit to organizations that help veterans, for example, is a start to becoming more patriotic.
Sean Gregory’s article “How Sports Can Move Beyond Lip-Service Patriotism” definitely gives a unique view of the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at sporting events. The fans usually don’t think about the singing as not being patriotic enough. The tradition has been apart of sports for years, and until the Colin Kaepernick controversy, not many fans or players have given singing the anthem a second thought. Three main points that Gregory states in his article that I agree with are that sport leagues have good intentions when playing the national anthem, sports leagues and fans can do more than sing the national anthem to link patriotism and sports, and the leagues could donate a percentage of ticket sales to a worthy organization.
Works Cited
Gregory, Sean. “How Sports Can Move Beyond Lip-Service Patriotism.” The View, 26 Sept. 2016, pp. 17–18.
English 101
Summary/Response Essay
October 18, 2016
Beyond Basic Patriotism
The controversy about Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the playing of the national anthem has spread all over America. There has been news articles and interviews regarding the controversy. Many Americans are criticizing Kaepernick for his decision to kneel, rather than stand, for the national anthem. Although many Americans criticize him, there are some fans that support his choice to express his rights. The article “How Sports Can Move Beyond Lip-Service Patriotism” by Sean Gregory, however, focuses on how Americans should show patriotism in a more meaningful way than singing the national anthem at sporting events. Gregory expresses that sport leagues have good intentions when playing the national anthem, sports leagues and fans can do more than sing the national anthem to link patriotism and sports, and the leagues could donate a percentage of ticket sales to a worthy organization; I agree with Gregory’s points.
Colin Kaepernick, 49ers quarterback, no longer stands during the singing of the national anthem, and his choice is starting controversy in America. Gregory explains Kaepernick’s reasoning; it is a way to not, “show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color” (qtd. in Gregory par. 1). Kaepernick is strongly criticized for his choice; however, his choice has created more questions for the American public. Gregory adds that since this event, some are wondering if sporting events should even play the national anthem. “The Star-Spangled Banner” was played at a sporting event for the first time in 1862 at a baseball game in Brooklyn. However, the anthem was also played at Game One of the World Series in 1918 (Gregory par. 4). According to Mark Clague, “A ritual like the national anthem became part of the war effort on the home front, and says that sports is committed to all things American” (qtd. in Gregory par. 5). Gregory wonders that if the main point of linking sports and patriotism is to make a difference, then the sports leagues could donate a percentage of the ticket sales to an organization. Gregory states that if the fans feel offended when someone chooses not to participate in the singing of the national anthem, then now is the time to re-evaluate the acts that we consider patriotic.
Gregory feels that the “The Star-Spangled Banner” is played at sporting events due to the fact that the sport leagues have good intentions of being patriotic and I agree. He says, “Not surprisingly in the nation that regularly builds billion dollar stadiums, the answer is a mix of good intentions and shrewd opportunism” (Gregory par. 4). I agree that the national anthem is played because the sport leagues have good intentions to show respect to America and all of the American war Veterans. One problem with the act of patriotism is that there is no change happening as a result. There should be a more meaningful act of patriotism behind the relationship of sports and patriotism.
In the article Gregory rightfully points out that if leagues want to link sports and patriotism in a way that is meaningful; leagues and fans could do more than just sing the national anthem. He states, “But if the larger goal of linking sports and patriotism is to create more meaningful support of one’s country, there’s more that leagues-and fans- could be doing than belting an anthem” (Gregory par. 6). If sport leagues wanted to make the link between sports and patriotism more meaningful, I agree that the leagues could do more than sing the national anthem. Just because the crowd sings the anthem, does not mean the fans are making a difference in our communities. To make a difference, leagues should donate money or services to worthy organizations.
Gregory and I believe that if each sports team gave a small portion of their tickets sales, the teams could raise millions of dollars for worthy organizations. Gregory says, “Even allocating a small amount (say, 50 cents) of each sale to a worthy organization could generate millions of dollars, if applied to each one of the 32 teams” (Gregory par. 6). The league donating a percentage of the ticket sales is a good way to raise money for worthy organizations. The sports leagues make plenty of money and donating some of their profit to organizations that help veterans, for example, is a start to becoming more patriotic.
Sean Gregory’s article “How Sports Can Move Beyond Lip-Service Patriotism” definitely gives a unique view of the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at sporting events. The fans usually don’t think about the singing as not being patriotic enough. The tradition has been apart of sports for years, and until the Colin Kaepernick controversy, not many fans or players have given singing the anthem a second thought. Three main points that Gregory states in his article that I agree with are that sport leagues have good intentions when playing the national anthem, sports leagues and fans can do more than sing the national anthem to link patriotism and sports, and the leagues could donate a percentage of ticket sales to a worthy organization.
Works Cited
Gregory, Sean. “How Sports Can Move Beyond Lip-Service Patriotism.” The View, 26 Sept. 2016, pp. 17–18.