Stand for the anthem. Not for how it fails us, but how it has lifted us to unimaginable heights.

Stand for the anthem. Not to salute a leader, but to honor the great citizens that reside within these borders and work every day to serve their families, their neighbors, and their nation.

Stand for the anthem. Not for its tradition, but for its inspiration – a love song to the resilience of the human spirit and our willingness to push back against the darkness always, even within ourselves.

Stand for the anthem. Not because you love the injustices we may struggle with, but because you love that we are free enough and powerful enough to engage in that struggle in the first place.

Stand for the anthem. Not because it is a sign of complete agreement with your fellow Americans, but because it is a sign of the stunning and diverse rainbow of people who gather themselves in this one place, under this one flag.

Stand for the anthem. Not because it celebrates war or violence, but because it celebrates the peace that can only be found by having the fortitude to fight the costly battles; and it spurs us to action when we see unrest even to this day.

Stand for the anthem. Not to prove you love America the most, but simply to respect those who have served this nation, those who serve their neighbors, and those who give everything in the service of something higher – the very essence of the American spirit.

Stand for the anthem. Not because you love everything about this country, but because you are grateful to be free to not love everything about this country when so many around the world will never know that luxury.

Stand for the anthem. Because the people you love dearly live here.

Stand for the anthem. Because it is a symbol of generations of people from all experiences who have sown into you so that you can be who you are, right now.

Stand for the anthem. Because for just that couple of minutes, wherever it is played it is a respite from all the arguing and division. For just that couple of minutes, no one is shouting at each other, berating each other, or accusing each other of heinous things. For just that couple of minutes, any given group of Americans are united in the same tune, singing the same words, enjoying the same soil. There is immeasurable power in that small act.

Stand for your anthem. Not because of where we’ve been but where we have yet to go.