Shame: Goshen College Seeks “Alternative” to National Anthem to Satisfy the Diversity Monster

This is incredible. Goshen College, a Mennonite-based school in Goshen, Indiana, announced it has directed its president “find an alternative to playing the Star-Spangled Banner that fits with sports tradition, that honors country and that resonates with Goshen College’s core values and respects the views of diverse constituencies.”

I realize that the Mennonites are “peace-loving people”, but aren’t we all? Wouldn’t we all prefer a time of peace to asking our young men and women to fight? I see in that quote the “diversity” monster raises its ugly head again.  If you read the press release from the school on this contemptible action, the word “diversity” or “diverse” shows up  seven times. The board of directors of the school sure is worried that they get the “diversity” thing right. “Diversity” is just lame code language for “we don’t want to offend anyone.” Here’s a sample:

“We recognize that some people may not be satisfied with this decision, but we believe it is the right one for Goshen College. We also believe this decision will enable the college and the board to move forward and prepare with joy for the 2011-2012 academic year.”

Responding to the decision, President Brenneman said, “I am convinced that Goshen College is on a challenging and rewarding journey toward becoming a more diverse institution that serves an increasingly diverse community. I am hopeful that this resolution will help Goshen College move forward together, and focus on finding new ways to welcome students from our local and regional community.”

Carlos Romero, executive director of the Mennonite Education Agency and an ex-officio member of the Board, affirmed the decision and the message he said it will communicate to the college’s constituents, Mennonite Church USA members and other people of faith.

“Goshen College has been and remains a ministry of Mennonite Church USA with an enduring peace tradition,” Romero said. “The Board’s decision reflects a belief that faith and honoring country can co-exist without disturbing higher allegiances to God and that Goshen College will become increasingly diverse and will welcome diverse viewpoints.”

So “finding new ways to welcome students” means banning the National Anthem? Did your board members read the words -all four verses- that talk about bravery and sacrifice from our military, so that we can have “victory and peace” in our “heav’n rescued land”? Some of you readers may not know that there are four verses, since we only ever hear the one at sporting events.  Here they are (from USA Flag Site) :

Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

That Anthem is a symbol of what had to take place so that you folks from Goshen College could have a religious-based school in the greatest, and most free country the world has ever known! Those words speak directly to the reason you can make such a decision. You disrespect all the people who have fought and died for your freedom by making it. You have that right, but you should suffer the shame and disapproval of everyone who loves American and its Anthem for making it.

You certainly have mine.