While I agree that people have the
right to take a stand (in this case, a knee) for what they believe in and that
some issues are worth the price, I think the “take a knee during the national
anthem” protests are negative. (And the “not
even showing up on the field for the anthem” protests are even worse! But I don’t mind them kneeling before the
anthem. That’s a good compromise.)
While I appreciate what they are
trying to do and the point they want to make, I think they are going about it
wrong because “taking a knee” is a boycott, a sign of disrespect for America
and for the people who have fought and died for our freedoms. And it’s causing more division and tension,
not less.
Sports used to be something that
people could count on to take their minds off of life’s problems and society’s
struggles. It was a fun distraction, something
to cheer about. No matter what other problems
we had in life or the negative headlines in the news, sports brought people together. A respite from the trials. It erased boundaries and dividing lines and
gave people a place to come together, laugh, cheer, cry, and tease each other
in good fun.
But
now, it’s become part of the problem.
Another issue to ignite fury and create tension. Such a shame!
As if we needed more of those issues.
But, I think there is something
beautiful and inspiring about the “linking arms” kind of protest. That is more about unity, about standing
together for something, about reaching out to the people around us and joining
hands in support for the kind of America we want, while at the same time still
showing respect for the flag and the people who sacrificed for America. It’s not a protest against something; it’s a unified stand for something. And I really
like that! It makes the point that the
kneelers are trying to make, but in a positive, affirming, unifying way. And it would be great to see that spreading
to the fans, to the country!
If you had to choose “kneel and boycott”
or “reach out to your neighbor and stand together,” I would hope we would all
choose to reach out! For unity! For healing!
For America!
