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A video on TikTok showing patrons at a California restaurant dropping everything and standing for the national anthem has gone viral and has also sparked a heated social media debate.
The creator of the video @paulinappa_0 documented the moment when—as she and her breakfast mate were enjoying their meal—"The Star-Spangled Banner" blared through the speakers at Rainbow Oaks Country Market in Fallbrook, California.
Immediately, patrons stopped eating, put down their utensils and stood to face flags on TVs in the restaurant.
The creator and mate appeared to be the only ones still seated.
@pauinappa_0 captioned the TikTok:
"By far the most dangerous situation I've ever been in."
She completed the post with the hashtags #godblessamerica, #getout, #illegal, and #whitepeoplethings.
You can watch the video below.
\u201cthey have this tiktok of the national anthem playing in a restaurant yet the top comments are like \u201cisnt this what they do in north korea\ud83d\ude30\u201d i swear americans cant acknowledge their indoctrination without bringing up a country they know virtually nothing about besides propaganda\u201d— \u1710rn (@\u1710rn) 1682685467
People on social media had many differing opinions on the video, especially considering the American flag has become somewhat of a party-separating symbol in recent years, its prominence in many areas commonly associated with the far-right.
Many who grew up and attended public schools in the United States have been conditioned to adhere to the once-mandatory expectation that the national anthem and pledges to the flag are sacred vows to the country we should be so grateful to inhabit.
Historically, this included standing, putting one's hand over the heart and professing love, respect and honor through memorized lines, just as displayed in the video.
However, in recent years, many have chosen not to adhere to prior social norms, mostly due to the anthem's—and symbolically, the flag's—racist roots and the nation's systemic inequities.
Many have chosen not to acknowledge the patriotic symbols in protest to injustices and violence, most prevalently toward people of color.
Francis Scott Key, the author of the national anthem itself, was a slaveholder and even referenced slavery in the third verse of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
So, it's not surprising that the creator of this video was extremely uncomfortable—and that viewers engaged in sparring discourse.
Some claimed that standing for the national anthem is common and not doing so is disrespectful for those who fought to defend the country.
\u201c@DailyLoud GOD BLESS AMERICA!! \ud83e\udd85\ud83e\udd85\ud83e\udd85\ud83e\udd85\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\u201d— Daily Loud (@Daily Loud) 1683245475
\u201c@DailyLoud This generation has no respect for the people that died for that flag. Fathers and sons who never made it back to their families.\u201d— Daily Loud (@Daily Loud) 1683245475
\u201c@DailyLoud How sad that they haven't been taught respect for the flag and for the men and women who have fought and died for our country :-(\u201d— Daily Loud (@Daily Loud) 1683245475
\u201c@nypost As you should always stand and put your hand over your heart as the national anthem plays \ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\u201d— New York Post (@New York Post) 1683215691
\u201c@NoLeftTurns I thought that was awesome! And I would frequent a restaurant that does that!! A nice way to show respect for our country and maybe some veterans and military at the same time\ud83d\ude4f\ud83d\ude4f\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\u201d— Will \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 \ud83c\udf62 (@Will \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 \ud83c\udf62) 1683114889
But other viewers sided with the creator, noting they, too, would have been uncomfortable in that situation.
\u201c@DailyLoud i mean yeah it is pretty creepy lol.\u201d— Daily Loud (@Daily Loud) 1683245475
\u201c@DailyLoud Terrible cult behavior. Imagine being a grown adult standing whenever you see the flag\u201d— Daily Loud (@Daily Loud) 1683245475
\u201c@DailyLoud Imagine being a slave to a flag\u201d— Daily Loud (@Daily Loud) 1683245475
\u201c@DailyLoud Won't stand for a country that doesn't gaf about me\u201d— Daily Loud (@Daily Loud) 1683245475
\u201c@DailyLoud It would horrify me too\u201d— Daily Loud (@Daily Loud) 1683245475
And several just wondered about the situation itself.
\u201c@DailyLoud Was this during a game, or do they just randomly play the anthem in the bar, which is kind of weird but def not horrifying\u201d— Daily Loud (@Daily Loud) 1683245475
\u201c@DailyLoud Why is the national anthem being played at a bar?\u201d— Daily Loud (@Daily Loud) 1683245475
\u201c@DailyLoud to be fair i ain\u2019t never see nobody stand for the national anthem unless they seein it in person\u201d— Daily Loud (@Daily Loud) 1683245475
One thing we can all agree on is that this country has a long way to go.