U.S. Navy Sailor Sits and Holds Up Fist During National Anthem, Gets Hit With Instant Karma

A U.S. Navy sailor is facing disciplinary action after she posted a video of herself sitting through the national anthem in protest while holding up a fist.

The sailor, who has reportedly been identified by her superiors in the Navy, said she refused to stand for the flag or anthem until the U.S. proves “that they’ve got my back as a black woman.”

IJR’s Kyle Becker explains the rationale behind sailor’s protest:

The sailor's excuse for failing to salute the flag was that she viewed the national anthem as racist, due to disputed Star Spangled Banner lyrics.

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The lyrics "hireling and slave" in a fourth verse penned by Francis Scott Key are disputed by historians due to the British naval practice of "impressment."

As Becker also notes, the Navy sailor likely violates U.S. military code which prohibits political activities on federal government property.

"We have identified the Sailor and her chain of command was made aware of the video. Appropriate administrative actions are pending," Lt. Cmdr. Kate Meadows, a spokeswoman for Naval Education and Training Command, said.

Meadows also said the sailor is "not being discharged or separated," according to the Navy Times.

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