San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernicks recent decision to not stand during the national anthem as a way of protesting police killings of unarmed black men has drawn support and scorn far beyond sports. The Associated Press explains how The Star-Spangled Banner became a ritual of American public life, its complicated racial origins and how the song has been used as a form of political resistance.---THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AS A RITUAL OF AMERICAN SPORTThe national anthem and sports first merged in the early 20th century, when The Star-Spangled Banner became part of baseball games. The anthem is played before the start of every U.S. major sporting event, where fans and players are expected to salute the flag by placing a hand over the heart while singing along. Not doing so is considered unpatriotic by some. Its important to remember that a lot of these traditions that we take as timeless or dating back to the founders are pretty recent innovations, said Princeton University historian Kevin Kruse.---BLACK ATHLETES AND POLITICAL PROTESTKaepernicks protest was the latest in a history of actions by black athletes meant to call out the discrepancies between the experiences of people of color and Americas professed ideals.In 1968, Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos lifted their black-gloved fists as the national anthem was played after they won the gold and bronze medals in the mens 200-meter sprint -- a gesture seen as radical and an endorsement of black power. Boxer Muhammad Ali, celebrated as an American hero after his death in June, was arrested in 1967 after his refusal to be drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War was seen as an act of civil disobedience. Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, wrote in his autobiography that he was unable to sing the national anthem or salute the flag.Former Denver Nuggets point guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was suspended by the NBA after refusing to participate in the national anthem pre-game ceremony in 1996. More recently, NBA players including Derrick Rose and LeBron James have worn T-shirts reading I Cant Breathe in reference to Eric Garner, who was killed by New York City police officers in 2014. Last month, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade and James opened the ESPY Awards with a message about gun violence against minorities.The outrage were seeing in light of the Kaepernick decision ... is just another example of our countrys lack of a real understanding of what it means to be a person of color in the United States, said Penn State historian Crystal Sanders. Wealth, education, attire ... none of that prevents us from being victims of racial discrimination.---WHY THE CONTROVERSY?Kaepernicks decision has outraged some who see his protest as offensive and un-American. It is also an unwelcome distraction for those who view sports as a way to transcend conflicts around race, gender, politics and other uncomfortable subjects in American life. Others have come to his defense, saying his decision to sit out the national anthem and flag salute is protected as freedom of expression under the U.S. Constitution.---HOW THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER WAS BORNWatching the bombing of Fort McHenry while detained on a British ship during the War of 1812, attorney Francis Scott Key was inspired to write The Star-Spangled Banner as he saw the American flag flying overhead in the early morning hours of Sept. 14, 1814. The flags presence signaled the retreat of British ships from Baltimores harbor and the U.S. survival of a battle that lasted 25 hours. The showdown galvanized the young country and the flag became a symbol of determination and victory.The Star-Spangled Banner was popular among the branches of the armed forces throughout the 19th century, but more than a century would pass before the song would become the national anthem. President Woodrow Wilson signed an executive order declaring it so in 1916, and Congress passed an act confirming the order in 1931 that was signed into law by President Herbert Hoover the same year.---CONTROVERSIAL THIRD VERSEKey supported slavery and came from a powerful plantation family in Maryland. His background may have influenced the songs third verse, which includes the lyrics, No refuge could save the hireling and slave/From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave. These words have been interpreted as a reference to the Colonial Marines, black recruits to the British forces who fought in exchange for their freedom. Kaepernicks objection to saluting the flag was not related to the third verse of the national anthem, but his protest has brought fresh attention to this forgotten stanza.---Errin Haines Whack covers urban affairs for The Associated Press. Follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/emarvelous and read more of her work at http://bigstory.ap.org/journalist/errin-haines-whack . Cheap Vans Shoes Wholesale . After a lengthy wait, persistent rain finally forced the postponement of the Nationals game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday night. The teams, and a few thousand fans, waited nearly four hours from the 7:05 scheduled start time before an announcement was made shortly before 11 p. Vans Shoes Cheap Online . -- PGA TOUR Canada member Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. http://www.cheapvanssale.com/ . Their 38th instalment is arguably their biggest fight card to date, including three-title fights and a main event which was selected by the fans. The promotion boasts 14-straight years of business and is operated by MFC president Mark Pavelich, who is often overlooked in this country for the foundation hes established for MMA in Canada. Cheap Vans Shoes For Sale . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. Cheap Vans Sale . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. NEW YORK -- Ten busloads of Army cadets attended funeral services Monday for teammate and classmate Brandon Jackson, the sophomore cornerback remembered for his uplifting smile, quiet confidence and for a life filled with promise and purpose.Hundreds gathered to mourn Jackson, who was killed in a single-car crash, at the Greater Allen A.M.E Cathedral in Jamaica, Queens, not far from the St. Albans neighborhood where Jackson grew up. Among those who spoke were U.S. Military Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen, football coach Jeff Monken and team captain and linebacker Andrew King.You will never have to worry years from now if this group of men will remember your son, Caslen said to Jacksons mother, Morna Davis, an Iraq war veteran of the Army reserves and New York Police Department detective. You may have lost Brandon, but you have gained about 120 new sons. And about 4,000 cadets.Dozens of members of the NYPD attended the service.The fatal accident occurred in the early morning hours of Sept. 11, about 20 miles south of the West Point campus in Westchester County, according to police and the academy. The crash, which remains under investigation, happened several hours after Army had defeated Rice in the Black Knights home opener at Michie Stadium.The Black Knights improved to 3-0 for the first time since 1996 this past Saturday with a 66-14 victory at UTEP.Jackson earned a starting job as a freshman and had 68 career tackles and three interceptions. He pushed teammates to work beyonnd what was required on the practice field and the weight room, King said.ddddddddddddBrandon embodied everything it means to be part of this brotherhood, King said. Because of him, were not afraid of failure.Monken said Jackson had a disarming smile and was fun to coach.Even after a mistake on the field, Monken said, I couldnt stay mad at him.The program mourners received at the church called the service a Celebration of a Life Full of Promise and Purpose. Jackson was laid to rest in his dress gray uniform and white cap.Jackson attended Holy Cross High School in Flushing, Queens, a school with a tradition of playing some of the best football in New York City. Recent graduates include former Stanford receiver Devon Cajuste and Carolina Panthers safety Dean Marlowe.Current players from Holy Cross, most wearing their bright green football jerseys, attended the service with coach Tim Smith and former longtime coach Tom Pugh.Pugh, who retired after the 2014 season, said he went to West Point to watch Jackson in the Army spring game this year. The old coach said he told Jackson he expected his former player to make an interception during the intrasquad scrimmage.And he started laughing, Pugh said. He goes, `Coach, this is Army. We dont throw the ball.And guess what, he got a pick in the spring game. He pointed up to the seats where I was. He was special. Special young man. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '
