In the 40's as a student in "segregated" elementary schools I was taught to hate the Jews because “they were Christ killers” and in the middle of war, hate the Germans and the Japanese, while the white man hated me-how absurd!Įvery morning in our “separate but equal?” school, we stood to pledge allegiance to the flag – “with liberty and justice for all.” Justice? And oh, the field trips-Historic Baltimore is an abundant resource for teachers-the many many field trips to Fort McHenry-we ran across the ramparts, climbed on the cannons, peeped into the dungeons, imagined the bombs bursting in air-and the flag is still waving.
Moving to Baltimore in 1941, I learned at a very early age about being a Negro (that is what we were in those days). Murphy, Sr., founded a newspaper more than 115 years ago (The Afro-American Newspapers). My family has lived in Maryland since 1773. Baltimore always figured in the struggle. From America's infancy, democracy's first dream to today's realities. Growing up in Baltimore, the place is so rich in history. Most of us cannot sing the song and those who can, only sing one verse.ĭid you ever wonder why, if the song has four verses, only the first is commonly sung?
It became well known as a patriotic song to the tune of a popular English drinking song, "To Anacreon in Heaven." It was recognized for official use by the United States Navy (1889) and by the White House 1916), and was made the national anthem by a Congressional resolution on March 3, 1931. Francis Scott Key, a 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, wrote the lyrics in 1814 after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland by British ships in Chesapeake Bay during the War of 1812. The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States.
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