He didn’t ask for this. I’m positive of that. But he knew it was coming.

When Colin Kaepernick chose to sit during the national anthem, he wasn’t performing a publicity stunt. He wasn’t seeking attention. Instead, attention found him. He wasn’t the one who asked the questions, or fired off the incredibly critical tweets on social media. He simply answered the questions that were asked of him by the media.

So why all of the backlash?

Because it’s the flag. Where I come from, it is a cardinal sin to disrespect the American flag. Anything less than complete and total patriotism is treated with shock. People wonder why someone would openly disrespect the symbol that so many have fought and died for. It’s astounding to me personally. I personally will always show my respect to the symbol of liberty known around the world that is the United States. So I understand where a lot of the criticism is coming from, because it was what initially ran through my head.

But no shots were fired.

Colin Kaepernick could have done a lot worse. As an athlete, he carries a platform from which to speak. He could have incited violence, or actually pulled the trigger himself, and he didn’t. He chose to protest peacefully, even though he knew that he’d face a ton of criticism. I look at that, and I respect that. In a time where old wounds are being torn open with violence, Kaepernick reminded us that there is always a peaceful way to make our voice known. And we, as citizens of the United States, should respect that.

There’s no need to agree with him. Perfectly legitimate arguments can be made on both sides of the thorny issue of racial tension. It’s totally acceptable to me to disagree with his views. But don’t trash them or him. Because he could’ve picked a far worse way to state them. In the end, I will always take bent knees over bullets when solving problems. As such, I cannot help but look with sadness on the social media commentators who trash his play, his background, his career, or his views. I can’t ignore the Presidential candidate who suggested he find another country, an attitude I consider shamefully un-American. I pray fervently for the day when the American people can see the good in people instead of publicizing the bad. Because this is just wrong.

It is hard for me to write this article. Choosing not to stand for the national anthem is something I could never do with a clear conscience. But I realize the Constitution that gives me the right to write this article is the same Constitution that gives Kaepernick the right to sit. It’s definitely not a method of expressing views that I would choose. But it is one that I can respect, because it didn’t involve the pointing of a gun.

So don’t trash him. Please. Instead, thank him. Thank Colin Kaepernick for putting aside the hate and fear that is consuming so many Americans and instead choosing to spread a message of peace. There are racial issues in this country that need resolving. Many old wounds are being reopened with the recent spate of protestor and police violence. But Kaepernick reminded us that violence takes us nowhere.

This world of ours... must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect. - Dwight D. Eisenhower