A video shared on TikTok captures a scene from a Duke University football game. The footage shows a marching band performing on the field, with a large crowd in the stands. Most people in the audience are seen standing, but the video deliberately focuses on several individuals and small groups who remain seated.
The video’s on-screen caption reads, “It’s not all of them but’s always them 🇺🇸.” This text appears at the beginning of the clip, The caption reads, “It’s not all of them but’s always them 🇺🇸.”. The video was posted by a user with the handle @italian_cannoli_ravioli1.
The camera pans across a section of blue stadium seats, highlighting the contrast between the standing majority and those who are not. The venue is identifiable as Duke University’s stadium, with visible signs reading “GO BLUE DEVILS” and “DUKE DECK.”
Video highlights seated individuals during band performance at Duke stadium
The video shows a wide shot of the football stadium, with a marching band performing on the field. The stands appear filled with spectators, many of whom are wearing blue. The scene suggests a pre-game or halftime event.
As the camera slowly pans, it captures a large portion of the crowd standing and facing the field. However, the footage deliberately lingers on several individuals and small groups who remain in their seats. These seated people appear to be of various ages and backgrounds.
In the background, the band is seen playing a tune that sounds like a patriotic anthem. No spoken words are audible in the video; the only sound is the music from the band’s performance. The video’s caption includes the text, “#Duke #America #leave don’t like America. Then leave 🇺🇸.”
Online comments reflect divided reactions to the footage
The video prompted a range of reactions in its comment section. One user wrote, “First ones to complain about inequality though.” Another comment simply stated, “Fatigue is real.”
According to the video’s creator, a third comment quoted a common phrase, posting, ““Why aren’t we respected”.” One commenter pushed back against the video’s apparent message, writing, “Let me get this right the people in the comments want them to stand for a national anthem that was built on slavery and genocide to “show respect” but are actively still being racist in the comments???” The debate over what constitutes respectful behavior in public spaces extends beyond stadiums, as a college professor was filmed sternly addressing students on the first day of class.
A user identifying as a veteran offered a different perspective, stating, “Veteran here;they have the right to sit!” Another commenter expressed a view aligned with the video’s caption, saying, “I don’t understand people who hate the country but don’t leave!”
The video, shared on TikTok, has sparked discussion about patriotism, protest, and individual expression at public events. The creator’s caption and the video’s focus on seated individuals frame the content as a commentary on those who do not stand during what appears to be a national anthem performance. The comments section shows a split between those who criticize the seated individuals and those who defend their right to remain seated.
