By now everyone has heard about Colin Kaepernick refusing to stand up at the playing of the National Anthem before San Francisco’s preseason game against the San Diego Chargers. It has sparked another social and political disagreement throughout the nation; it is a fight between refusing to condone the demeaning of those who have served and are serving, and those who recognize the social and political inequality that exists in this country and refuse to tolerate anything but extreme progressive change. The fact of the matter however, is that these two concepts do not have to be at odds, but actually go hand in hand.

The debate that has been endlessly sparking within the past week has remained consistent in its platforms; one that says honoring those serving is of upmost importance, and one that says exposing injustice is what is most important. The reason why I believe, and many others believe as well, that the newest distraction from Ryan Lochte is based on truly justified motives but carried out by thoughtless emotion, is because Kaepernick could have undoubtedly carry out his progressive social and political agenda in another manner, and still not even scrape the edge of dishonoring our National Anthem, our military men and women, and our country as a whole.

It is very rare that you find someone now who either refuses to admit, or just simply is too ignorant to understand, that racial inequality exists in this country. Was Colin wrong for standing up (or not standing up…) in what he believes in? Not at all. Was he wrong for using social and athletic platform in order to strongly voice his opinion? Absolutely not, which is why I believe that this country needs to understand that change can occur in the correct manner. This nation is plagued by a common political trend: love one side and hate the other in any social, economic, and political difference. This absentminded predisposition that a majority of Americans have adopted is not only dividing this nation present day, but it is closing the minds of future generations who will reap tomorrow what we sow today. We are becoming a nation that hates those who oppose us, gets offended when our beliefs are challenged, and blindly follows whatever side of the doubly-party political system we abide by. This relates to Kaepernick’s refusal to stand up because had he not simply “picked a side” and let his emotions lead his actions, but instead logically analyze the problem at hand and use the voice that he has to express the problem, this quarrel would not exist and he still could have made progressive strides. Reform does not come after one action or one stand, but it instead comes from changing the deeply rooted misbeliefs and ignorant conceptions that many Americans have in a way that permanently changes the way future generations operate socially and civilly.

I find the irony in Colin Kaeperknick’s story extremely evident, as the flag he refuses to respect is the same flag that represents his freedom to voice change, push for reform, and not tolerate inequality. I fully understand that reform is not something that happens without passion, support, and extreme steps taken, but when you push for reform and while do so defile the thing that gives you the ability to seek reformation, your action is no longer based on thought out actions toward change but on sheer emotion, leading anywhere but progression.

This story however goes much past Colin and his apparently unwavering stance on disrespecting the flag, but it is a perfect example of how we should NOT handle any social or political quarrel. When there is an issue, whether racial or gender equality, economic disputes, or social freedoms that are at risk, it is crucial to fight for what is right and true but in a way that honors those who gave us the right to fight for change. When we blindly pick a side in a way that fails to understand the other, we come one step closer toward a disastrous political and social future. Kaeperkick was correct and fully permissible in taking steps for change, but I can only his absentminded method for carrying out this wanted progression does not become the norm.

Let us strive for progression while never failing to honor those before us, those serving currently, and looking ahead to those who will protect future generations.