Silence and Compliance Won’t Change Laws, Minds, or Hearts

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I’m feeling a mix of anger and hurt today. Recently, I’ve come across some posts in my feed that cut deep. I stayed quiet about them, but enough is enough.

Let’s be clear: when a few athletes choose not to stand for the national anthem, it may not impact your daily life, and that’s fine. It might annoy you, but it doesn’t touch your existence. But let me tell you what does affect me—every time a Black person is unjustly killed, and those horrifying videos circulate on national and international news, it hits hard. It impacts me, my family, and my children. We are not criminals; we aren’t out there wearing hoodies and holding Skittles, like some misguided stereotype suggests. And when you defend that violence, it resonates with all of us.

What’s even more troubling? It makes my husband’s job more perilous, and it puts him in the crosshairs of additional violence and hatred.

If you feel the need to “unfriend” me or slap a label on me, go ahead. I’ve been called worse than you can imagine. I’ve encountered disrespect from law enforcement firsthand, and I keep quiet to protect my husband. One day, I won’t, and I’ll do it for the sake of my kids.

If you can’t see that there’s a significant issue in our country regarding the treatment of Black and white individuals, then we were never truly friends. It’s not simply a matter of differing opinions; it’s about a fundamental perspective that places you in a position of privilege, deciding whether Black voices deserve to be heard. You dismiss their grievances simply because they don’t affect your life directly, echoing the same victim-shaming tactics used against women who suffer sexual violence.

Consider Ryan Rivers, who represented the U.S. abroad, committed a crime, and dodged the consequences. Yet, I didn’t see anyone calling him a criminal or anti-American due to his actions—just a lot of eye-rolling. Meanwhile, more outrage surrounded an athlete refusing to stand for the anthem than over Ryan’s behavior. We’ve seen white athletes ignore the anthem without a peep from the so-called patriots.

Let me introduce myself to the folks upset with Colin Kaepernick and others. I’m not a pampered millionaire athlete. I am not “ignorant,” nor do I harbor hatred for law enforcement or America. I stand for the anthem, but I also recognize the importance of protesting. I’m not brainwashed by movements like Black Lives Matter. My family background is solid; my parents were involved, and my husband is a cop.

So, what will you call me? How will you discredit my views or label my children? Will you dismiss me as a brainwashed terrorist simply because I advocate for change?

I owe my life to protests—both peaceful and those deemed radical. Neither laws, minds, nor hearts change through silence and compliance. Think about that.

Sure, kneeling during the anthem might seem disrespectful, but that very act is protected by the Constitution, just like civilian gun ownership—something I personally oppose. Without courageous protests, my life—and that of my family—would be vastly different.

Next time you mock those protesting, consider this: Would you risk your job or safety to highlight injustice? Why should I have to risk so much just to have the same rights as you? Should my children walk their neighborhood without the fear of being seen as criminals or worse?

People claim Kaepernick disrespects the military—yet that’s his way of fighting against injustice. He stands alone, facing threats against him and his family, while many focus on his protest rather than the underlying issues.

Your comments and actions have rippling effects. Think about how memes and jokes about him have turned into blatant racism. Reflect on how your indifference to the issues he raises reflects on you.

Let’s stop pretending that the solution lies in being outraged over an athlete’s protest. The real change we need is recognizing and addressing our societal problems, no matter how uncomfortable it feels. So feel free to voice your discontent about the anthem protest; it’s not the change our country needs.

This article, originally published on Sep. 16, 2016, is a call to action amidst the noise.

Summary: The author confronts the insensitivity surrounding athletes’ protests against racial injustice, emphasizing the deep emotional and social impacts of systemic racism. They encourage readers to reflect on their perspectives and the importance of speaking out against inequality rather than remaining silent.