Show some respect . . .
Take off your hat and shut up during the anthem

by Rachael Quigley
staff associate

Standing up and paying respect for the national anthem and the American flag during athletic games should be as automatic as hot dogs, beer and that big fat guy who jiggles more than jelly at a football game. But I have been troubled this season by the lack of respect some fans, as well as players here at UM-St. Louis, show towards the playing of this national treasure and the displaying of our greatest symbol of freedom.

There have been several times where I have been at a game and have witnessed people busily engaging in conversation. They didn't have the decency to stand their lazy selves up when the announcer asked everyone to rise.

I have observed people talking and laughing during the anthem, as though it were no big deal to be in the Mark Twain Building at that particular moment listening to one of the most important songs in this country's history.

I have seen people continue to wear their hats while the song is being played, obviously unaware of the custom of removing headgear to pay respect to the flag of this country.

Unfortunately, this trend of disrespect is not limited to the plain old Jack and Jill's who come to witness the Rivermen and Riverwomen play games.

I have seen players, who are watching other teams play, refuse to take off their hats. I witnessed a female member of the basketball team at a volleyball game who not only refused to take off her hat, but talked and laughed during the entire duration of the song.

This habit of being disrespectful is an unfortunate by-product of people thinking they can assert their First Amendment rights by blatantly disregarding the symbol of freedom that gave them the right to act like jerks in the first place.

It is a sad thing to witness people who do not know, or care about, the sacrifices made by men, women, and their families, both past and present, to serve in the Armed Forces. It's looked upon as a history lesson, with everyone forgetting that there are still men and women who are waging unseen and unheard battles everyday just to give us the right to be able to do just about anything we please.

All I ask is for students, parents, athletes and the everyday fan to show some respect during the national anthem. Your conversation and your bad hair day are not as important as the people who are behind your ability to live in a free society. So please, take your hat off and shut up.