No national anthem at Mavs game

[haveitall]

There's a very large segment of the US population today that hear the Anthem and think of bad things association with the country. I talk to many people like this regularly that feel this way when words like US Patriotism or loyalty are used.  They are reminded of bad things. This refers especially to things related to the history of slavery and racism but for many it encompasses a whole litany of  what is perceived as bad things American has done or does.   

That is a very good explanation about how people feel.  However such thoughts don't come from a vacuum. A lot of this comes from parents, friends, the people around.  But my opinion its self destructive to allow history to make a person think that they are always at a disadvantage.  Here is an analogy imagine a dog born with 3 feet, it doesn't know it should have 4 and it lives life well hopping around.  But if an individual believes that no matter what they do they will be at a disadvantage it becomes a self fulfilling prophesy.  

On a personal note growing up as a minority in the Soviet Union I experienced racism directly.  However I was taught not to look for it but to avoid it.  I was taught that if I am at a disadvantage for getting into a certain college than I need to study twice as hard as a non-Jew.  I really think that works.