Dear Weekly Editors,

I would like to respond to the article “Patriotism at Parker.” I feel that part of the issue with how Parker manages the patriotic elements of American society is that it is extremely all or nothing–either the song is sung, and all are expected to stand, participate, or do whatever it is you Americans do, or there is absolutely no song, no standing, and no participation. This leads to there being no way to please everybody. I personally don’t know how this could be addressed–the American national anthem does have a couple of questionable lines, and some downright terrible messages behind it. However, it does stand for a lot of people–and some of those people will be from other schools, travelling to games. Those people will not be able to contribute to Parker’s discussion on the matter, though they will be affected emotionally (the same is obviously true on the flip-side as well). As such, I feel that Parker should find a way to compromise–maybe play the national anthem before the homecoming games while players are inside, giving them the choice to either come outside and stand or opt out. I don’t think there is a particularly effective solution, but it doesn’t seem to me like Parker is really trying to find one.

Yours, forever and always,

Felix Wood