Why do I do this? Honestly, I’m not sure. Maybe it’s my desire to stay in the loop, or perhaps I just have a penchant for chaos. Regardless, every morning, I grab my coffee, hop online, and dive into the latest headlines. And let me tell you, it feels like a full-time job these days.
This morning, I stumbled upon a story that had me shaking my head. It was about our former president—yes, the one known for his colorful language—calling a peaceful protester by a rather crude name. I blinked in disbelief; surely, a sitting U.S. president wouldn’t stoop to such levels—oh wait, never mind. So much for dignity, right?
For those who might have missed the memo, the Take a Knee movement kicked off when Colin Kaepernick decided to kneel during the national anthem at a 2016 football game. His message was crystal clear: “I can’t stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses people of color,” he stated, according to NFL.com. “There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.” In short, Kaepernick aimed to highlight police brutality and social injustice affecting the Black community. This sparked a nationwide conversation, as players joined him in solidarity, and, of course, the media went into a frenzy.
Fast forward a year, and Kaepernick found himself released from his team. In an unbelievably baffling twist, our former president took to the stage to denounce Kaepernick, calling for NFL firings and even disinviting the Golden State Warriors from a visit to the White House.
So here we are. I took another sip of coffee and scrolled through a barrage of outraged comments. Apparently, a peaceful call for justice is now seen as an affront to patriotism. Wait, what?
It’s truly mind-blowing that something as quintessentially American as protest is being framed as unpatriotic. Has everyone forgotten the Boston Tea Party? The Revolutionary War? The Civil Rights Movement? Talk about peak American patriotism! How did we stray so far from our roots?
As I navigated the comments, one narrative emerged: the Take a Knee movement is unacceptable because it “disrespects those who fought for our freedom.” Well, hold on just a minute.
Let’s clear a few things up: “This is offensive to all who have served in the military!” Not really. Our military is not a monolithic entity. Thousands of individuals take an oath to protect your rights, and they come from all walks of life. Some are Democrats, some are LGBTQ+, and some don’t subscribe to any religion at all. While some service members may oppose this protest, others find it inspiring. The military isn’t a political party, and no one can claim to speak for all veterans. It’s time to stop using our service members as political pawns.
“Show some respect! What happened to patriotism?” Oh dear, my friend with the eagle avatar: Patriotism is not a club you can gatekeep. Everyone loves their country in their own way—whether it’s you, me, or even Kaepernick. Unless you have a magical ability to read hearts, maybe take a step back.
“The NFL shouldn’t let their players disrespect the flag!” First off, NFL players aren’t even paid to participate in the national anthem; it’s optional. Thank goodness, because the only countries that mandate such loyalty aren’t democracies. Our founding fathers valued civil liberties far more than they did the symbols of those liberties. If a segment of our population feels unsafe in their own country, forced submission isn’t the answer.
Let’s get real: The flag represents the ideals of our nation, but it’s just that—a representation. Some people can’t equally pursue life, liberty, and happiness. They kneel peacefully to let us know about their struggles. Their need to protest should break all of our hearts.
Yes, this whole issue can be tough to digest (which is arguably what makes it so impactful). Feeling uncomfortable about Americans kneeling during the anthem? That’s exactly the point! Until everyone in the U.S. feels equally free and protected, we should support those exercising their right to protest.
I’ve lived in places where such actions meant severe consequences. I truly hope we never reach that point. Let Take a Knee serve as a reminder: Freedom is beautiful, even when it makes us squirm. And that discomfort often signals that change is needed.
Protest is as American as apple pie. As Jason Rivers, a well-known advocate, reminds us: Patriotism isn’t about standing and saluting; it’s about creating a country where everyone wants to live.
Amen.
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In summary, protest is a fundamental aspect of American identity, and we should cherish and protect this right, even if it sometimes makes us uncomfortable.