Weird Rituals

As social customs seem to erode further on a daily basis, some things that were normal in prior generations have faded and traditions have changed, evolved or disappeared.  Customs and norms change with cultural acceptance and shifts in attitudes.

Standing is a sign of respect.  The practice of standing to greet someone, or when someone leaves your presence, or when someone enters a room, is a sign of respect.  It is still the norm, in a professional setting, to stand when meeting someone, to shake hands, or when someone is leaving your presence.  To stand is to show respect and acknowledgment of a person (likewise, removing one’s hat is another sign of respect).

Kids often mirror and mimic their favorite athletes.  A basketball move, a batting stance, pitching mechanics, a football catch:  kids see and they emulate.  A few years ago, when some professional athletes chose to kneel during the National Anthem, I wondered if we would see this behavior mirrored at the high school level.  So far, I have not.    

On January 13, on his podcast “The Problem,” ‘Comedian’ Jon Stewart said that standing before the National Anthem is “such a weird ritual,” while his co-host Rob Christensen happily agreed “it’s such a modern thing.”  Christensen continued, “It’s for show – and you better take that hat off, because standing is not enough.” 

Actually, standing for the National Anthem is not a modern thing and removing one’s hat is only for show if customs and manners are insignificant to the individual.  You can sit, kneel and leave your hat on if you want to.  Writing an editorial in “The Wall Street Journal” on January 19, 2022, former Commissioner of Baseball (1989-1992) Fay Vincent responded to Stewart.

“The custom has its roots in the 1918 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs. There was reduced interest in baseball, so the Cubs were interested in tying the opening game to wartime patriotism. Accordingly, during the seventh-inning stretch, a band began to play the national anthem.

Red Sox third baseman Fred Thomas, who was on a brief furlough from the Navy, immediately snapped to attention and saluted. The crowd noticed and began to stand and sing. When the band finished, there was an enthusiastic roar, and the Cubs management was quick to realize what had happened. When the series moved to Boston, the Red Sox also had the anthem played, and thus tied the knot between the national pastime and patriotic emotions. In time, the anthem was moved to the start of games, and the live band has given way to some lovely and some cacophonous performances.

One reason the tradition has lasted is that most of us find rituals to be rich and rewarding. My father always stood when a woman entered the room, and his Victorian manners and respect have led me to believe in the symbolism of the standing gesture.

Patriotism isn’t a political policy; a government isn’t a nation. Is it possible Mr. Stewart is ignoring the essence of solid citizenship by confusing patriotic gestures and symbols with political messages?

Standing is a luxury I no longer have. But to honor my country, I doff my cap and sit quietly in my wheelchair while thinking of those who made this into the noblest of nations, in which Mr. Stewart is free to ask his irreverent question.”