As many of you already know, Colin Kaepernick, an NFL football quarterback for the 49ers, refused to stand for the national anthem during an exhibition game against the Green Bay Packers this past Friday. What has followed as been a, mostly online, show of outrage, hate, and anger. This, of course, followed by memes, jokes about Kaepernick's struggling career and rants by unhappy Americans.

Now, because I'm not at the point in my life where I want to receive hate-mail or flaming bags of feces, my intention here is not to take sides. Instead, I want to present a few sides. So, if you're already gathering a garage can to light on fire and stick outside my door, this one is not for you. If you are unable to possess the ability to read TWO or more opposing views in one article, this one is not for you. If you're the type of person who can not civilly, yet passionately, discuss which love story is the greatest in Harry Potter, this one is not for you. So, the name of the game here is, if you are not a mature adult that is willing to look at perspectives beyond your own, this is not for you.

So, here we are. Pretty much everyone, mostly, is pissed. Now, to be fair, 98% of the the information and conversations I have read have ALL been online. Inherently, there's something unsettling about humans willingness to share controversial posts online that many would never talk about with someone in person. This is not always the case, but more often than not I've noticed this trend. ("I" meaning my personal perspective that you are ALLOWED to disagree with without being a turd). Despite what side of the issue, or no side of this issue, you find yourself on, is it worth looking at this closer?

If your immediate answer was "No" this one may not be for you. You see, I want to engage in a discussion with people who are willing to listen to one another, not agree with one another, but listen. In researching this story I tried to listen by reading. Reading completely opposing views, different perspectives and different ideas about what Kaepernick did.

There's a lot being said, but for sake of brevity, I want to focus on two.

1. The picture that speaks a thousand words

I think for most people, this photo draws out a pretty emotional response. This is a man who gave his literal body, heart and mind to protect our country. It's incredible, it truly is. Is this not the epitome of patriotism? There are many arguments and views being tossed around against Kaepernick's choice, but from what I've read, this is the one that's really stuck. The image is poignant, heart wrenching while simultaneously causing a heartwarming rise in our pride over brimming with patriotism and protectionism over our country. I can sincerely understand how people may take offensive to this. It makes sense when you look at it in the mentality that the flag is the personification of all the lives lost for this country. In that context, it absolutely makes sense to be upset, be angry, be outraged.

There have also been other claims and facts of Kaepernick's past that have been thrown into the mix. One being that at an early age he was adopted by a white family, hasn't financially contributed to the BLM movement, and has converted to Islam recently.

Now, I know I said I wouldn't take sides, but there are a few things I would like to note here. I have a sister that is of a different color that my family adopted. However, despite us adopting her, she still has strong ties to her native origins and has done many things to contribute and stand up for her impoverished country. What I mean here, is that no one has ever told my sister because she was adopted that she can't still fight for justice and equal rights for the people of her native country. Again, just something that came to me immediately when reading the portion about him being adopted.

There is, in my opinion, nothing wrong with this image above. There is nothing wrong with supporting our troops and the freedom they fight for. But what is worth mentioning is, in the context of Kaepernick, the freedoms they are fighting for. The rights we enjoy as citizens. This leading into my next point-

2. "...a true veteran would fight to the death to protect his right to say what he believes."

I found this quote from an article that mentions a Facebook post Jim Wright had written soon after Kaepernick's decision to sit down. It's a well written piece. From what I read, to me, was that the flag is the representation of those rights we have that others have fought for.

What I gleaned from his Facebook post is that we can't just use rights when they are to our advantage. I see Trump supporters do this quite often. They (they being the people I have interacted within my person life from my personal perspective) utilize the, "He has a right to free speech!" But, what about when you don't agree with what someone is saying or demonstration? Say for instance....Colin Kaepernick. You know, that same right that Trump has to say the things he does. Kaepernick may not be running for president but he still has the same rights.

Wright closes his post saying,"Again, I support Kaep in stating his opinions, the method he has chosen toward those ends, and his willingness to face the consequences for doing so. I do now and have all my life more than anything else abhorred silence in the face of injustice.Silence is evil’s greatest and most dependable ally. So I have no problem with Colin Kaepernick breaking his silence, standing up and now declaring: “Silence on racial injustice? No! Not so long as I have this platform and anything to say about it.”

In the context of this perspective, of a certain group being oppressed, it makes sense that people are in support of this. That people feel that Kaepernick did what he did, not for his own oppression, but for the injustice of all those who he is standing up for.

Now, to be clear, writing parts of this pained me. I tried to be subjective and present two sides, not sure how good of a job I did, but I tried. To me, that's the gateway to true discussion and conversations that matters. I wanted to interact with both sides of this story. To see both perspectives and truly put myself in those contexts and perspectives.

That is what I wish I could make people do, but I know I can't. So, I plead. I would ask anyone reading this to consider engaging in conversations without stampeding other's perspectives and views first. Again, I am working on this and am no professional. I struggle with this daily, but I want to get better. I want people, myself including, to start thinking like I wasn't the center of the world. That my views and experiences and wholly different from the person next to me.

And yes, sometimes when you wholeheartedly try, the other person may not respond in kind. They will refuse to partake in a civil discussion and instead focus all their efforts on aggressive and defensiveness. But it may be worth getting through those train wrecks of conversations to finally meet someone that possess the maturity and self-awareness to be willing to participate in a conversation that could make a difference, could teach you something about the world around you, teach you something about that person, and teach you something about yourself.

So, before you write something defensive, aggressive or angry -- try to think beyond yourself. I know I will be trying to.