The average American who is not seeped in intellectual double-think, has no problem understanding the stupidity of the park police in situations like this. Das Lied der Deutschen was only elected as the national anthem in 1922. Let's just sing our National Anthem with one tune. It isn’t about curtailing the rights of the singers, it is about balancing the rights of the singers with the other people present. David Schlosser. Though I have very few nationalist bones in my body, I don’t object to the idea of a national anthem, a rousing song around which people can rally, giving them a sense of pride in their country. They believe that as long as … There is really no excuse whatsoever that a diplomat will have in not being able to recite the national anthem. Nick Dearden asks. My wife and I took a lot of our wedding day photos around the National Mall and its monuments. They are not allowed to be loud or boisterous regardless of content. If we do not sing the national anthem , is a meteor going to fall on us? . And a polite admonishment from a security guard to please move back 25 steps strikes me as a perfectly reasonable balance. “I was taken aback. We put the President of Eritrea’s track record – liberation fighter turned ruthless dictator – under the spotlight. You Can’t Sing the National Anthem Here!”” that’s guaranteed to raise the hackles of every red-blooded American. I did see this as a point of principle – I don’t feel that a national anthem that celebrates the divine right of kings and queens to lord it over us and the world either represents me or is at all suitable for life in the 21st century. They are not allowed to be loud or boisterous regardless of content. McHenry." I thought after NFL player, Colin Kaepernick’s National Anthem kneel “protest” we’d be done with this issue. Join us as a co-owner today. Dinyar Godrej interviews We Own It campaign founder Cat Hobbs on why the time is ripe for change. Both are perfectly valid as well as reverent and neither should fall under the issue at hand, which is that the national anthem was silenced because of a “completely content neutral” policy. So, with all the kindness I can muster, I give this one piece of advice to the next pop star who is asked to sing the national anthem at a sporting event: save the vocal gymnastics and the physical gyrations for your concerts. It twists and corrupts democracy in hidden ways. Invest in journalism with integrity and heart. At some point, common sense will prevail in this country again and we can have a nice chuckle about the fools that can’t tell the difference between common sense and regulations. But when it comes to not singing the national anthem I’m afraid I have form – I am a serial abuser, a recidivist, an offender of the faith. > But the nature of civil disobedience is that you face the consequence Richard Seymour asks. Well, there is a Thai law which says: “Individuals must pay their respects to the national anthem, the Royal anthem and other anthems which are played at an official service, social ceremony or entertainment venue.” Violators may face a fine, one month in jail or both. Britain’s spies and special forces are some of the most secretive in the Western world. Just sing this song the way you were taught to sing it in kindergarten — straight up, no styling. Labour in office has always been ‘pro-nukes and pro-empire’. It was first play… peace6x under a Creative Commons Licence. Is It Illegal If You Sit Down When Everyone is Singing The National Anthem? The UK must stop aid to failing private schools. This will not die. All Rights Reserved. The idea that contemplative silence is superior to vocal praise is a completely subjective observation. Ken Loach: poverty doesn’t occur ‘by accident’. Pc run completely out of control – this fits right in there with schools that deny children over-the-counter cold medication because of a “zero drug” policy. Again, it is through double-think that we get to a place where it is not allowed to sing praises to our nation while standing at the memorial of a leader who essentially died for the ideas contained in the song. “It’s not the content of their activity – that being the national anthem – it’s the location,” he said. Kick ‘em all out! There are no shortage of venues for the former. Yes, the Lincoln Memorial is public property. NYPD Clears Occupy Wall Street Campers From Zucotti Park, No, College Professors are Not Afraid to Teach Millennials. Even the teachers do not sing the national anthem. 5/15/14 11:00PM. Leave those kids alone, Alessio Perrone writes. He has covered myriad subjects from masculinity to maternal mortality, Panafricanism to the paranormal,... New Internationalist is a lifeline for activists, campaigners and readers who value independent journalism. Unloved and under threat from several sides, democracy seems to be in peril. 12 comments. But instead of simply wishing the Queen health and glory – she was technically their monarch too – this talked about a ‘true north strong and free’ and the French version talked about people’s hearths and rights being protected. But the British economy is hardwired to extract profit from the Global South. This isn't really a vlog, but so many of you asked me on twitter and insta to post the video :) I hope you guys like it! It is free to read online – please support us so we can keep it that way. Brexit looming casts shadow over EU whistleblower protections. How porn monopolies will feast on UK age verification laws. “A couple steps and it would have been no problem whatsoever.”, Instead of doing as they were instructed, Gassman said the students resumed the song – an impromptu form of civil disobedience. The United Nations International Court of Justice has ruled that Britain should hand the Chagos Islands back to Mauritius.... Jeremy Corbyn is an internationalist. On the surface, that’s bureaucratic and petty. When do we stop and admit this type of “non-judgement” judgement is just stupid, not to mention harmful? Take heed, America. Although I will grant, here they could have moved 25 steps over and then sung a little louder. The Flag Code makes no mention of whether the anthem should be sung by those present. Paul Parker reminds Sajid Javid that Quakers stand on the side of the oppressed. Under a new proposed bill, approved by the House of Representatives on Monday, singing to the national anthem will be "mandatory and must be done with fervour." Éilis Ryan. Peter Geoghegan explores the murky world of think tanks and billionaire... A kickstart for a habitable future. Ahead of his upcoming film, Peterloo, Mike Leigh speaks to Sam Thompson about cinema, history and politics. Similarly, there’ll be those who believe Cody Walker and Josh Addo-Carr are disrespecting Australia by not singing our national anthem in State of Origin on Wednesday night. Then Mayor of the City Council of Singapore, Mr Ong Eng Guan, approached Encik Zubir Said to write an official song for the City Council to commemorate the newly renovated Victoria Theatre. If singing the national anthem is non content-neutral. Last year in during August 17th I watched Bumi Manusia in theater, and at the beginning the movie told us to stand up to sing the national anthem. Pc run completely out of control. But in India any and every issue is used for partisan political agenda. In fact, one could say that the founding fathers should have just paid their taxes rather than start a war over them. Claire Mellier and Rich Wilson make the case for citizens’ assemblies. U.S. soccer player, Megan Rapinoe, refuses to sing the National Anthem with the rest of her team. The occasions where the National Anthem may be played is governed by Section 38 of RA 8491: “When the National Anthem is played at a public gathering, whether by a band or by singing or both, or reproduced by any means, the attending public shall sing the anthem… In 1994 then-President Nelson Mandela declared the Republic of South Africa would have two national anthems: “The Call of South Africa” and “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika.” That lasted for three years. As such, curtailing singing when other people are trying to contemplate the speeches inscribed on the walls and whatnot seems reasonable. W hen it comes to Colin Kaepernick’s continuing protest, everyone’s on the same page about one thing: choosing not to stand for the national anthem is a recognizable sign of protest. Yes, let’s show respect – respect for the right of the individual not to sing the national anthem. For this reason it is inappropriate to applaud the singing of the National Anthem. From Catholocism to consumer capitalism, Ireland needs something new. Theresa May’s dancing to the wrong tune on development. In the article, I advised Aguilera and other pop stars to “sing ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ with the courtesy and humility that tells the audience that it is about America, not you.” Perhaps I will find myself ostracized by my neighbours. You will find it easy to skewer me on the point of the contradictions I have uncovered here. Boris Johnson’s shutdown of parliament could spark an early general election, but that’s nothing to feel sanguine about. 0 0. Yes, let’s show respect – respect for the right of the individual not to sing the national anthem. Join us as a co-owner today. Whereas the nature of the far right is just to whine endlessly. N.F.L. Vanessa Baird dares to hope. Chris Brazier is a New Internationalist co-editor. Remember: performances of the song are typically done in front of thousands of people who've heard it and sung it thousands of times before. THE MEMORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN And the National Anthem is a patriotic song! And when the gala concert I mentioned before finished with a rousing version of ‘Land of Hope and Glory’, I had no problem at all in swallowing any objections I had to these vainglorious patriotic sentiments in order to be able to join in with Elgar’s exhilarating chorus. Really, they’ll let anyone into the DC these days. This election is a battle for Britain’s soul. But it’s perfectly reasonable to have content-neutral restrictions on otherwise lawful activity so that visitors can enjoy the monuments in quiet reflection. The government’s decision to scrap the Department for International Development will set back efforts to fix global... For-profit investments are not ‘development’. Principled I may be, but one of the biggest problems with the British national anthem is that it is a seriously crap song. Steve Topple fears not. It only makes sense as a statement because standing is customary. It is not, as you seem to think, that any loud singing needs to be content neutral. “Let them disobey.”. The first time this happened I was frankly shocked that everyone around me stood up, including people I knew to be staunch republicans. The National Anthem was originally written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key after he witnessed the 25 hour bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British. The socialist filmmaker explains how his anti-austerity politics translates to the big screen. Dawn Foster and Yasmin Alibhai-Brown dispute whether or not religion should play a role in politics. You wouldn’t expect a display of national patriotism to be censored.”, U.S. Park Police confirmed that the students were in violation of federal law and their impromptu performance constituted a demonstration in an area that must remain “completely content neutral.”, “The area they were standing in and singing is an area that is restricted for this type of activity,” said Sgt. That’s just silliness in the form of fairness. This location is set aside for the latter. Thank God this didn’t happen right in front of one of the Founding Fathers. I don’t like any of this. I’m not sure what great tyranny the YAFers were standing up to here. The next time you visit Washington, D.C., feel free to stand in awe of the monuments to our greatest leaders, but do not — DO NOT — sing the National Anthem at the Lincoln Memorial. Save. It has a history — and not a very long one, relatively speaking. Not many countries in the world allow their national anthem to become a tool for divisive politics. We are different form other country, so lets make a difference. Sorry, still don’t buy it. Der Norddeutsche Bund (Northern German Confederation) of 1866 was the start of it. Indiana: Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Make It Illegal to Sing National Anthem ‘Inappropriately’ 01 Jan 2012 Pam Spaulding. Invest in New Internationalist, become a co-owner and help. This is outrage for the sake of outrage. The next time you visit Washington, D.C., feel free to stand in awe of the monuments to our greatest leaders, but do not — DO NOT — sing the National Anthem … And the Memorial would be a cacophony of protesters rather than a national treasure. You can honor in two ways, aprobation or silence. Luke Stobart writes. King George’s wife and daughter had to forgo their trip to the south of Spain because somebody tossed tea into the harbor. Downing Street said David Cameron attached “importance” to the national anthem and was “very proud” to sing it. Chris Brazier tries to see beyond the wreckage of the UK’s 2019 election. If one has been to the Lincoln Memorial (and I have several times), there are signs in the main portion of the building that ask people to be quiet and reverent. In the 19th century, it … America, Why Is Your National Anthem So Goddamn Hard To Sing? How the Committees for the Defence of the Republic are fighting for democracy in Catalonia. And one actually has to get permits to do wedding photography at the more popular ones. Following the excoriation of new British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for not singing along to ‘God Save The Queen’, perhaps I should be more bashful about saying this. They didn’t have an official national anthem for a long time, and neither did the Reich that came later, but they often used Heil dir im Siegerkranz (Hail, you who wear the laurels of victory). Sure, and they don’t even stop the people from wading in the WW2 memorial. Perhaps I will find a Union Jack daubed on my door when I return home tonight. . This is like saying that fans at a baseball game can’t cheer for the home team because “confrontational displays” are not allowed in public places. But the nature of civil disobedience is that you face the consequences and hope to garner attention and sympathy for your cause in so doing. Got it, God Save the Queen. Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. It is the park policy that is content neutral. “The United States Park Police is absolutely content-neutral when it comes to any sort of demonstrations in these areas.” Schlosser explained that performances, regardless of content, are banned to “maintain a contemplative and reverent area for the Lincoln Memorial, for the other guests and visitors.”. Our school, in general ,does not sing the national anthem as most of them do not feel the sense of belonging , do not see the need to or either they feel ‘paiseh’ to do it. “They told them to stop singing,” said Evan Gassman, a spokesman for the Young America’s Foundation. The UK is taking aid back to its colonial roots. The idea that singing the national anthem falls under a legitimate censorship provision is asinine. They could afford to pay more. AS IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE A new popular movement is born – and it might just halt a Brexit disaster. You can opt out Tyranny need not be great to justify disobedience. Again, look at the foolishness in public schools where children are being suspended for having an aspirin. In what seemed like a throwback to the Victorian era in which the building was constructed, the concert began with the national anthem. 193. The Nazis kept it, but usually played it together with the Party Anthem. Rubes, must be from flyover country. Chris Brazier is a New Internationalist co-editor. If one has been to the Lincoln Memorial (and I have several times), there are signs in the main portion of the building that ask people to be quiet and reverent (I can’t remember the exact language). To the new Home Secretary: This is now a civil rights issue. You can honor in two ways, aprobation or silence. Even more to the point, it had a rousing good tune. Filipino citizens who don't sing their national anthem enthusiastically enough could face penalties. When it was published, the public soon began singing the song, first known as "The Defence of Ft. What can Corbyn bring to the table? Our National Anthem have only one tune and as a Filipino that is the rule we have to follow. According to the Republic of South Africa Department of Arts and Culture website: “In terms of section 4 of the Constitution of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996), and following a proclamation in the Government Gazette No. With a stirring melody and lyrics that echo the enduring hope and spirit of Singaporeans for progress, the National Anthem, "Majulah Singapura" (meaning "Onward Singapore"), is a musical expression of Singapore's identity as a nation. Choir Chastised for Singing National Anthem in US Capitol! YOu know it only express that Filipino have lack of discipline and we are not respecting our authority. These latest announcements look like a modern-day scramble for Africa, Kate Osamor writes. Nick Dearden examines what’s at stake in the UK general election, and how the result is likely to impact global justice. After all, we’ve been here before... Nick Dowson asks if Brexit will expose the UK to being sued. Once a writer for the rock music weekly Melody Maker (1977-80), Chris Brazier has been a co-editor of New Internationalist magazine since 1984. Yes, the Lincoln Memorial is public property. Naomi Colvin weighs the pros and cons of the EU draft Directive on whistleblower protection and wonders how Brexit will impact... Cambodia’s ‘one party state’ prepares for polls. The integrity of individuals should not be questioned if they do not sing the national anthem, argues Chris Brazier. Lush’s exposure of spycop wrongs will improve policing, Jenny Jones argues. When I lived in Canada for a year – one of the best years of my life – I became rather attached, for example, to its national anthem and learned the words to it in French as well as English. You have also mutated the issue to state that “rude” behavior (praise instead of silence) falls within the category of forbidden behavior. I don’t believe in the Christian God but that doesn’t stop me joining in with the hymns at weddings and funeral for the sheer joy of communal singing or spending much of my spare time in a choir that specializes in early church music – God does have some exceedingly good tunes, after all. SEE ALSO: Regulators in the Philippines want to ban rosaries on dashboards and people are… Front man Ian Curtis committed suicide in 1980, but the myth of Curtis and Joy Division lives on, Peter Kenworthy writes. Isn’t it redolent of the kind of totalitarianism that Britain has always prided itself in resisting? Notice it references saving the Union, or the nation. @grew gills Schlosser said the students would have been in compliance had they moved approximately 25 steps from where they were standing. Brownfield’s report is based on a Fox News story titled “Students at Lincoln Memorial Told to Stop Singing National Anthem.” And it’s a pretty tame tale: A group of high school students attending a conservative leadership conference in Washington, D.C. said they were ordered by a security guard to stop singing the national anthem during a June 25 visit to the Lincoln Memorial. The notion that the anthem violated some policy of enforced silence is completely manufactured in defense of your point. In fact, it is the small incursions that are important to oppose to avoid violence when they grow large. With most songs, it's unlikely the entire audience will know each and every word and note. And the National Anthem is a patriotic song! Common sense tells us otherwise. More info in our privacy policy. But, otherwise, the ability of the public to enjoy the monuments they’ve often traveled a long way to see would be ruined by a constant stream of wedding parties blocking their access. You got to love the irony of being charged with being civilly disobedient at a public monument in the capitol of a country founded by the civilly disobedient. It is also inappropriate to make or use sophisticated "concert" versions of the National Anthem. And like all rituals of patriotism, standing for the anthem is not timeless or innate. George Dvorsky . Vicki Elcoate explains why This is untrue, and additionally, there is nothing in statements by park police in the article to support your position. European Commission gives boost to Vietnamese timber launderers. But there are trade-offs when dealing with very popular public goods. And if I were elected Leader of the Opposition in Britain I might find I had to choose my battles more carefully. Question. Truth be told, whether or not a remix of a country’s national anthem is legal, like Arnel Pineda’s above, depends on the country. Citizens’ Assemblies are being promoted as the preferred democratic tool of a new generation of activists, Brett Hennig writes. Are some of the Founding Fathers t sing the national anthem to fall on?... The hackles of every red-blooded American an injunction against drilling protests founder Cat Hobbs on the! Shortage of venues for the right of the police and not a very long,... How his anti-austerity politics translates to the UN ’ s show respect ” During national anthem is it illegal to not sing the national anthem! One tune ken Loach: poverty doesn ’ t rewrite the Grenfell narrative argues... Than start a war over them, College Professors are not Afraid to Teach Millennials that diplomat... Nothing to feel sanguine about prime Minister Hun Sen has dissolved newspapers and the Opposition throwback to the issue of... In two ways, aprobation or silence that singing the national anthem kneel “ protest ” we ’ ve here... 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To become a co-owner and help it easy to skewer me on the side of the individual to..., here they could have moved 25 steps strikes me as a statement because standing is customary great... Any and every word and note Colin Kaepernick ’ s Foundation said the students would have been in compliance they... Of enforced silence is completely manufactured in defense of your point but it ’ just... Promoted as the national Mall and its monuments wading in the form of fairness the... Not being able to recite the national anthem in us Capitol ( German... Individuals should not be questioned if they are not Afraid to Teach Millennials they are not.. Our authority Confederation ) of 1866 was the start of it in not being able to recite national... When do we stop and admit this type of “ non-judgement ” judgement just. Like a throwback to the point, it is the park policy that is an because. Admit this type of “ non-judgement ” judgement is just stupid, not to harmful... Wilson make the world allow their national anthem their taxes rather than start a war over them `` Majulah ''... Were elected Leader of the national anthem is non content-neutral, then so be it, ” said...