California High School Bans National Anthem for Being ‘Racist’ and ‘Outdated’

The National Anthem has been banned from California High School in San Ramon, California according to The Washington Times.

This decision was made by student leaders at the high school who deemed the National Anthem to be racist and outdated.

We are all likely familiar with the first verse of the National Anthem, but what you may not know is that the Anthem has multiple following verses. It is the third verse of the Anthem that the students took issue with.

“It was brought to our attention that the national anthem’s third verse is outdated and racially offensive,” Ariyana Kermanizadeh wrote in an open letter. “We had nothing but good intentions by removing the song so that we could be fully inclusive to our student body.”

The line in the third verse of the Anthem that was deemed especially concerning says:

“No refuge could save the hireling and slave / From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave.”

“We understand that this third verse is not included when the anthem is performed, but still, what does this tell us?” Kermanizadeh continued.

“This song was written in 1814,” she noted. “That was written 204 years ago. Imagine all the traditions and laws that have changed … [and] so must our traditions.”

Some, like conservative commentator Todd Starnes, disagree.

“The Star Spangled Banner may have survived the bombs bursting…