Internet users were left divided after a girl in Tennessee refused to place her hand over her heart during the national anthem.
The mother of the girl shared a video online that sparked the controversy. In it, her daughter and her teammates could be seen standing on a court before what appeared to be the start of a volleyball game.
In the video, the national anthem could be heard playing inside the court as the girl and her teammates stood. While the other players appeared to have their hands over their hearts, the girl was the only one who kept her hands by her sides.
The mother appeared to support her daughter’s decision not to place her hand over her heart during the national anthem. “When your child knows better!” she wrote over the video. In the caption, she added, “The only thing that we worship and honor is God and God alone.”
Placing a right hand over the heart during the national anthem is a common gesture of respect and patriotism, particularly at sporting events, schools, military ceremonies and other public gatherings. However, not everyone chooses to participate in the gesture.
In the Tennessee incident, the girl’s decision to keep her hands at her sides while her teammates placed their hands over their hearts drew attention online, with viewers divided over whether the choice was disrespectful or simply a form of personal expression. The situation also highlighted broader disagreements over patriotism, individual freedom and how people should respond during the national anthem.
Because the girl was black, some viewers speculated that her decision may have been connected to her race. This is in addition to the history of racial inequality in the United States. Some black Americans may choose not to participate in certain patriotic gestures because they feel conflicted about national symbols. This is in light of the country’s history of slavery, segregation, and racial discrimination. For some, declining to participate can serve as a form of protest or express concerns about racial inequality and whether the ideals represented by national symbols have been equally applied to everyone.
Viewers Divided Over Video of Tennessee Girl During National Anthem
The video sparked reactions online. Viewers online were divided over the Tennessee girl’s decision not to place her hand over her heart during the national anthem. Several people defended her choice and believed she had done nothing wrong. “We owe this country nothing,” one person wrote. Others connected her decision to the history of racial inequality in the United States. Another person said, “We’re STILL NOT FREE, you go girl.” Someone else added, “Why respect a country who never respected us or our ancestors???”
On the other hand, many people criticized the girl and viewed her decision as disrespectful. “So weird to hear and see how much people hate America but none want to leave,” one person wrote. Another person said, “remove her from the team for disrespect.” Someone else responded to the mother, saying, “Not worshipping the flag. You are placing your hand on your heart to honor those who sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today.”
The video prompted discussion about whether young Americans should be free to decide for themselves whether to place their hands over their hearts during the national anthem. It also raised questions about how a person’s behavior during the anthem can be interpreted by others. Some can view certain actions as disrespectful to the country while others consider them a form of personal expression.
