The national anthem is known to promote patriotism. Many Americans already feel a sense of pride and love for their country and this is shown by the way we get up and put our hand over our heart anytime the national anthem is played, whether it’s in school or in a sports game. I do find it funny how if you don’t get up and recite with the anthem you can see others giving you a really ugly stare down. The national anthem is used to represent our traditions as well as our history and that is why I believe many people find it transgressive if we make fun of or ignore the anthem. There could be so many different meanings and different ways that it can be seen. This thought ties into the way Jimi Hendrix did his rendition of the national anthem. Notice how there were no words and just the sounds played by his guitar and occasionally the band in the background. I believe the raw sounds of the guitar is what emphasized the meaning of what he was trying to do. From what I saw, the parts where he drifted off or changed keys can be seen as raw emotions that were present during the time of the War. I don’t think it was meant to be played like a song but more like an act of the feelings and the fear that was going on during that time, especially when you hear Jimi screeching towards the middle. It can also be anger that was shown from african americans. The national anthem is so focused on the “land of the free” that other races who were suppressed did not feel that America was telling the truth or was not portraying the meaning in the National Anthem. Many found it transgressive because of the way it was played on the guitar. The very rock and roll tune not only changed it from the original but also made it sound….not as nice as other artists have done it. Many people don’t want to leave their comfort zone. The anthem as it is, is the way they know it. The change may be seen as disrespectful. If we really believe in “land of the free” and “home of the brave” then Jimi Hendrix was brave enough and had every right to play his rendition of the “Star Spangled banner” to the public.