Quote:
Originally Posted by finnbow
Condemning slaves who chose to seek their freedom by fighting for the British against their slave masters isn't racist? Who knew? Don't you find it a bit ironic that the anthem celebrating the "land of the free
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Let's not also forget that the Brits were making slaves of kidnapped American seamen, forcing them into service on British ships. While some read that lyrics as a reference to black slaves, other historians contend that this is more accurately a reference to the seamen who were forced into servitude under the British flag. Since the Star Spangled Banner is, in part, describing activity aboard British ships, this is likely the more relevant context.
I don't read "condemnation" in those lyrics. I simply read a description of what was happening during the battle.
The bottom line is this: Francis Scott Key never specified what the lyrics were in reference to, and you cannot make a definitive determination in context with the other lyrics. So, those who find the lyrics racist are imputing racism and making some pretty broad assumptions about the author of those lyrics.