The National Football League has always been about the game and the sport of football , and most people try and only pay attention to the game, but recent outbreak in a “social movement” from players has sparked national controversy. Said social movement started when Colin Kaepernick, quarterback for the San Fransisco 49ers decided it was his duty to sit on the bench during the playing of the National Anthem at the preset of one of his games. Immediately following, the media and citizens of the United States fell into a frenzy. Kaepernick said that “‘I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color… To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder'” (www.nfl.com). Some felt that Kaepernick’s actions were justified and strongly encompassed an idea of change wanted by those who believe that there is a legitimate issue often associated with beliefs of the group “Black Lives Matter”.
This article however, is not about arguing the sides of what may or may not be going on in the country in terms of race or about trying to make a case for one side or another.
Six months, 9 months, 12 months, two years gone. Three birthdays, one birth, one death missed. One high school graduation, two proms, four college move-in days unattended, an infinite number of memories. The ultimate sacrifice. All of this given for the couple of minutes Mr. Kaepernick took to sit down during what some consider to be one of the most important songs of all time. Let it also be known that Colin Kaepernick comes from a biracial background, with a white mother and black father, and was adopted by a white couple. They must have also had too much of that "white privilege" for his liking as well, and I'm sure they participate in racial oppression just like all white people as well.
Do you know what group of individuals are being referred to here? If not, many would suggest to take the moment to think about the consideration and realization of how deeply the statements just made are to so many Americans.
Our military members are often our forgotten heroes among society and while some may think that a social movement meant to make some sort of a change doesn’t affect the people in the U.S. that have served our country, and yet veterans all across the country have been making their voices clear on the issue.
While Colin Kaepernick started such pregame activity, several other NFL players have also made it their priority to kneel or sit during the National Anthem. All of these players are allowed to sit or kneel, and were given that right as American citizens, yes they have as many call the “God Given Right” to silent protest, just as it is not illegal to sit during a song that it apart of this country’s foundation.
Here’s the question I ask you to think about: Everyone has the right to sit as a form of silent protest, but does that mean that they are right (in another form of the word) to do so?
While many people in the country are passionate about such movement and what the form of silent protest stands for, I ask that some empathy and consideration be brought into the thought process of this social stand.
May I also ask, while sitting during the National Anthem during an NFL certainly brings attention to the subject of what some believe to be racial oppression in the U.S., what greater change can be accomplished? While I give credit to these NFL players for standing up (or rather the opposite) for what they believe in, change within society likely will not occur without a more direct stance, such as legal changes and legal processes. If this is how the players kneeling and sitting feel they will be able to make a real change, then by all means, continue to do what you’re doing.
To those who think that those who have served and continue to serve our country, along with their brave families, that’s fine. Just as previously stated, it is not wrong for people to sit in terms of the Constitutional right they have, but they’re wrong in not thinking outside of themselves to consider the sacrifices made for them to have the right to kneel.
Men and women have left their spouses and children, brothers and sisters, left their safe home and their warm bed for one reason and one reason only. To protect and defend their country, the country that they love and for a greater cause than themselves. These people, these mothers and fathers, sons and daughters risk their lives for their fellow Americans to be able to disrespect those sacrifices during a football game. Many service members rely on football, among other things, to take their mind off the bombs and death, terror and destruction around them. So imagine a room full of military members in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait or any of the other deployment sites, seeing their idols or at least distraction, sitting down during the playing of the anthem. I can also tell you that every time the anthem is played- to include during NFL football games, those men and women stand and salute their country. Disappointment, anger, frustration felt by those standing in the 130-degree heat, miles away from their family, in a war zone, and yet our military foresees it and continues to fight for the freedoms of the American people.
Below I place an image that resonates with many Americans, a picture in which I hope shows the reality of the ultimate sacrifice made and that provides a different perspective for people that support Colin Kaepernick and the other NFL players making millions of dollars, while people die all the time protecting their right and freedom to sit during our National Anthem.
God Bless America and God Bless our true American heroes.
