8.6: The Untold Story of “The Star Spangled Banner”

07/03/23 • 33 min

You probably learned in school all about the story of Francis Scott Key watching the “rockets red glare” and “bombs bursting in air” as a prisoner on a British warship and turning the experience into “The Star Spangled Banner.” But, in reality, there is a lot more to this story than you learned about in history class — and a lot of what you did learn in school was false.

In this replay of one of our Untold Stories episodes, we unpack the man behind “The Star Spangled Banner,” how it became our National Anthem, and whether it truly represents American values. It’s the perfect episode to revisit for the Fourth of July holiday.

Juneteenth Jubilee

Juneteenth was on June 19th, but there is still time to celebrate — in fact, the Fourth of July is a great time to talk about Juneteenth! We have an exciting program to help you celebrate! Juneteenth Jubilee gives you everything you need to have a meaningful Juneteenth celebration dinner.

It includes a cookbook, a cooking show with my dad, a meal planner, reflection questions and more! Trust me, this is something your family is going to want — both for the yummy food and for the impactful conversations.

Even if you didn’t celebrate on the actual day of Juneteenth, it’s not too late to take the time to celebrate and reflect. So click here to invest in this resource to create a meaningful celebration for your family!

Invite Jasmine to work with your school!

Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!

Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource.

Email [email protected] or visit firstnamebasis.org/workwithme for more information!

Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

Annotated National Anthem

“The Short History of the War of 1812 in Maryland”

“Star Spangled Bigotry: The Hidden Racist History of the National Anthem” by Jason Johnson

“What So Proudly We Hail,” Documentary from Morgan State University

“Francis Scott Key Opposed ‘Land of the Free’” by Jefferson Morley, Zinn Education Project

“Where’s the Debate of Francis Scott Key’s Slaveholding Legacy” by Christopher Wilson, Smithsonian Magazine

“Star Spangled Banner Born From a Drinking Song 200 Years Ago,” NPR

“The Fight for the Anthem” by Felicity Knox, Towson University

Oscar Stanton De Priest

“Mississippi Lawmakers Pass Resolution Paving Way to Remove Confederate Symbol from State Flag” by Brittany Shammas, The Washington Post

Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio

Juneteenth Jubilee

Invite Jasmine to work with your school!

Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!

Email [email protected] or visit firstnamebasis.org/workwithme for more information!

Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

Annotated National Anthem

“The Short History of the War of 1812 in Maryland”

“Star Spangled Bigotry: The Hidden Racist History of the National Anthem” by Jason Johnson

“What So Proudly We Hail,” Documentary from Morgan State University

“Francis Scott Key Opposed ‘Land of the Free’” by Jefferson Morley, Zinn Education Project

“Where’s the Debate of Francis Scott Key’s Slaveholding Legacy” by Christopher Wilson, Smithsonian Magazine

“Star Spangled Banner Born From a Drinking Song 200 Years Ago,” NPR

“The Fight for the Anthem” by Felicity Knox, Towson University

Oscar Stanton De Priest

“Mississippi Lawmakers Pass Resolution Paving Way to Remove Confederate Symbol from State Flag” by Brittany Shammas, The Washington Post

Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio

Previous Episode

8.5: The Story of the First Openly Gay MLB Player: Glenn Burke

Happy Pride my friends, especially to the LGBTQ+ members in our community!

To celebrate Pride, I wanted to share an episode from my Bite-Sized Black History program that features a Black American who was LGBTQ+.

So today, we’re learning about Glenn Burke, who was the first openly gay Major League Baseball player!

Glenn Burke was an amazing athlete and always the life of the party. He wasn’t afraid to be his authentic self, even when people were discriminating against him. He is even credited with creating the high-five!

Glenn’s life was cut short by AIDS, and I’ve included in this episode some insights and lessons I learned from an LGBTQ+ activist for talking to kids about AIDS, which I hope are helpful to you as a parent, teacher or caregiver.

And I hope by listening to Glenn’s story and reflecting on his life that we can be part of creating change so that others don’t have to go through the same things he did.

Get your FREE coloring page to go along with the episode

Glenn Burke’s story is part of my Bite-Sized Black History program, where I feature 28 different Black Americans who you may have heard of but who have largely been overlooked in the history books.

Each person is featured with a mini podcast episode, coloring page and reflection questions to help the kiddos in your life really learn about these amazing people in a meaningful way.

And to go along with this episode, I’m giving away the coloring page and questions that go along with Glenn Burke’s episode!

Head over to firstnamebasis.org/mlb to get your copy sent straight to your inbox, and be sure to head over to firstnamebasis.org/blackhistory to learn more about Bite-Sized Black History.

Invite Jasmine to work with your school!

Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!

Email [email protected] or visit firstnamebasis.org/workwithme for more information!

Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

First Name Basis Podcast, Season 6, Episode 4: “Say This, Not That When Someone Comes Out to You” with Elena Joy Thurston

Listen to this letter that Billy Bean, the second openly gay player in the MLB, wrote to Glenn.

Watch Glenn Burke up to bat in the 1977 World Series.

Resources for teaching children about HIV/AIDS:

This video explains what HIV is.

Here is a StoryCorps episode about losing family during the AIDS epidemic

This video is about how to protect yourself and others from HIV.

This video is about what it’s like to live with HIV.

This video is a segment from the Today Show called “Looking Back on 40 Years of the AIDS Epidemic.”

The Reagan administration’s response to the AIDS epidemic was rooted in homophobia. You’ll see that through this video.

I really love amaze.org for all of the different topics they cover about sexual health.

Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio

Next Episode

8.7: All Children Need "The Talk"

Parents of Black children are all too familiar with “The Talk.”

“The Talk” where they teach their kids not to have their hands in their pockets at a store. “The Talk” where they teach their kids how to act around police in an attempt to keep themselves safe. “The Talk” where they teach their kids about the racism they’re already experiencing and will continue to experience.

But the truth is, “The Talk” isn’t something that only families with Black children should be having — it’s something white children and other Children of Color should be hearing about as well so they can be part of the solution.

And this week on the podcast, I have a powerful interview with author Alicia D. Williams to talk about “The Talk,” which is the subject and title of her new children’s book.

Alicia is an award-winning author of books that offer understanding, empathy, hope and inspiration, including “The Talk,” which received a Coretta Scott King Author Honor. She is a graduate of the MFA program at Hamline University and an oral storyteller in the African American tradition, and she lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In the interview, we talk about:

The story behind her book “The Talk”
Why white children and other Children of Color need to have the talk as well
Tips for how to have the talk
How to teach children about the police
How to talk to kids about the dangers of racism while also helping them feel safe

Invite Jasmine to work with your school!

Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!

Email [email protected] or visit firstnamebasis.org/workwithme for more information!

Get your Little Allies Activity Book

If you’re looking for activities for your kids or students to do that are both fun and meaningful, we’ve got something for you!

Our Little Allies Activity Book is now available! It’s basically a coloring book that is focused on allyship, and all the activities are based around anti-racism.

The Little Allies Activity Book includes: