Colin Kaepernick of the 49ers has made national news ever since he didn’t stand for the National Anthem. This “controversy” has sparked many conversations about protests and patriotism and many people have their own opinions. The vitriol spewed from the hateful online people was astounding and yet surprisingly familiar. People have equated not standing for the anthem to being un-American and telling people to go back to where they came from (that’s a whole other post) and many other things. It seems as if the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem are American treasures to be values, respected, but never questioned.
I have my own views and I believe I have a fairly unique perspective. I am black, my father was in the Navy, and I have lived in various states including Hawaii where I was born. Growing up in a military household may have its own connation to people, but I don’t recall my father ever being adamant about “respecting the flag” or any things that hyper patriotism lends itself to. As a child in elementary school saying the pledge of Allegiance was just something that you did without knowing why or even really what you were saying. The same goes for the National Anthem, but as soon as attention was brought to it, research began and truths were unearthed. Things like we only sing the first verse of the song and the third verse is highly offensive to African Americans (do your research the info is out there). As a black man in America the older I get, the more the Pledge seems to be a lie and even seems to be low key pagan. Pledging allegiance to a flag and to the Republic for which it stands? Why am I pledging allegiance to an inanimate object? We all know that at this point “liberty and Justice for all” is laughable at best and hypocritical at worst. One of the most manipulative ways people have been combating protesting the Pledge or Allegiance is bring up veterans who have fought for you. The pictures of veterans with no legs or in wheelchairs who can’t stand isn’t making a point, it’s really trying to guilt a person out of protesting. However, this tactic isn’t working as the trending topic on twitter #VeteransforKaepernick shows.
I asked my father Kenneth L. Woods, retired Veteran of the Navy (served from 1984-2004), what he thought about protests and the Pledge and Anthem and he had this to say: “It (the Pledge) was something we did in the Navy, and elementary school. I think it shows respect to your country’s flag, but people have the right not to and putting your hand over your heart is I think a cultural thing. When asked if he felt a certain way about protesting the Anthem by sitting down or not saying the pledge, this is what he had to say: “No, because those are the rights we fight to protect. Whether we agree or not, so I think there are better ways to protest, that will actually bring attention to the issue you are protesting.” My father’s statements line up with many veterans who have spoken out over the last few days. The only problem my dad has with protestors when folks protest a military member’s funeral, because that person gave their life for your right to protest.
Trackstarz’s very own Mike Sarge who is currently an active member of the military weighed in with his own thoughts:
“As a current active duty member in the military who is also African American, I personally didn’t have an issue with what Colin Kapernick did. I know what he did was not the most popular thing to do amongst Americans, but he did something that actually sparked conversation and he made it clear as to why he had a problem with standing during the anthem. I know people are offended because of veterans and those that died to make this country great. But let’s not also forget something else; During those same times in which men died for this country, there were also numbers of people being enslaved to this very same country. You can’t separate the two. The national anthem doesn’t just represent veterans, it represents our country’s values and history as a whole. So if someone sits because they feel police brutality needs to be put in check, they have that right as an American. What’s ironic about the veterans/military argument is that our military fought so that Kapernick could have the freedom to choose what he wants to protest about. So why are we mad that he did an AMERICAN type thing. Just my thoughts.”
As more much needed conversation about this topic takes place, let’s make sure to come from a place of understanding. Seek to really listen and see the issue from the other person’s vantage point. in 2016 we seek to win the argument instead of winning the person and that ought not be. We may not agree but let’s agree to be civil and in the Believer’s case, aim to shine the light of Christ.
