The words “Racist Anthem” have been found painted on a monument to Francis Scott Key on the anniversary of the battle that inspired him to write the “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The Baltimore Sun reported Wednesday the words were written in black at the base of the monument in the city’s downtown. It also appeared to be splashed with red and black paint. Police are investigating, but have no suspects.
Key, who owned slaves, was inspired to write his verses by the Battle of Fort McHenry on Sept. 13-14, 1814 during the War of 1812.
The seldom-sung third verse says: “No refuge could save the hireling and slave from the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave.” Many believe it refers to slaves who fought for the British.
“Racist Anthem”: The century-old Francis Scott Key Memorial at Eutaw Place in Baltimore was defaced overnight. https://t.co/nWTa2thxX2 pic.twitter.com/5vPAqNyTeT
— Colin Campbell (@cmcampbell6) September 13, 2017
(AP)
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2 Responses
Britain actively recruited non-white troops, including slaves whoserved in return for freedom. After the American Revolution, the British evacuated all ex-slaves they were freed (ending up in whatg is now Canada, Britain or Sierra Leone). Also the British army were almost all professional (hired) soldiers, whereas the American military largely considered of volunteers and state militiamen.
Nothing in the quote (or anything in the 4 stanzas that I could find) mentions anything about Blacks or African-Americans (“slaves” has always been used in many different ways).
But as a matter of chronology and history, the official (government recognized) version of the poem as commissioned by then-President Woodrow Wilson in 1917 is missing the entire stanza that contained the line in question.
It is that government version that is implied (not explicitly stated) in the 1931 Act that adopted it as the national anthem.