A semi-professional soccer team said it will play another famous patriotic song at home matches instead of the national anthem.
Tulsa Athletic, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, said in a Wednesday press release that instead of the anthem, it will be playing Woodie Guthrie’s famed 1945 song “This Land Is Your Land.”
“Tulsa Athletic’s mission is to create an inclusive community through the game of soccer,” the team said. “After carefully reviewing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ lyrics and meaning, including the third verse which mentions ‘No refuge could save the hireling and slave / From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave…,’ Tulsa Athletic came to the decision that the song does not align with the club’s core values.”
It added that while the particular verse is not often sung, Tulsa Athletic doesn’t believe the national anthem “represents or unites their diverse players, fans, and community.”
Sonny Dalesandro, co-owner of the team, said that Tulsa Athletic has strived to develop “a culture of inclusion and acceptance.”
“We live in a country that allows us to freely speak our voice. We utilize this right as a club to continually try and improve our team and community,” Dalesandro said, adding that “This Land Is Your Land” still offers a patriotic sentiment but is more inclusive than the national anthem.
“The song speaks to this country being built and shared by every person of every race, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation. It represents a future Tulsa Athletic is committed to striving for,” he added.
The national anthem was thrust into the spotlight when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick encouraged players to kneel during its playing to demonstrate against police brutality and racial injustice.
