It has been a few weeks since the NFL decided to 'take the knee' in opposition to Trump's comments. Between now and then, many have offered their opinions, most of them have amounted to simply damning one another. Within that time frame, I even offered my own thoughts on the topic. After further reflection and observation, I would like to say this to those who are against the protests:
I get it. You are outraged. You are outraged at the fact that people are disrespecting a nation that you or your ancestors have fought for. You are outraged that this is coming from people who have been made famous by nation. You are outraged that these individuals are protesting during a time where you want to escape the drama that fills our airwaves. You are outraged, and I get it.
But please, just for a moment, be quiet.
No, I'm not trying to silence you or your First Amendment rights to speak. However, if you truly want to understand why these stars are doing what they are doing, then you must be willing to hear them out and engage in the conversation. How can you do that when you are full of anger? And no, you do not need to agree with their views or agenda.
Conversation. That was the goal here. And in my opinion, it was achieved. The conversation at hand is about police brutality and race relations in the U.S. Why are we talking about this? Because you have a population that is fearful of being at the wrong end of one's explicit and implicit biases. Although times have changed and things have improved, you have a population scarred by the sins of the past. Any reminder of that, whether it be through police brutality and inadequate representation, serves as the proverbial trigger.
I'll be the first to admit that I do not know the extent of police brutality or oppression of black Americans in the U.S. If anything, I'm of the opinion that it's highly sensationalized and not as easily conclusive as we make it out to be. That being said, I'm in support of taking the knee. Why? Because I want to have these conversations. And judging by the responses to taking the knee, however, it seems that we need these conversations now more than ever. I do not enjoy disrespecting those who fight for our rights and freedoms, but it now seems that the road to understanding requires a necessary evil to get us there.
Those of you that are outraged by taking the knee, I want you to get this. I want you to get this, because we are all Americans striving to make our nation great. I want you to get this, because I know we are all burned out from the division and fighting. I want you all to get this, because it hurts when brothers and sisters in Christ quarrel over things that should be non-issues.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. - James 1:19-21 (NIV)
