It was over 13 years ago at a New York Yankees baseball game; the National Anthem began to play. I was chowing down on my ice cream, and my grandpa looked over at me, snapped his finger to stand and put my hand on my heart. I didn’t fully know at the time, but till this day I can never forget. And now I know why…
There was a time when we had much more respect for ourselves. A time that we set an example and raised the bar for others around us. A time when we acted in a manner which we required serious thought before our actions. A time when our great grandparents and generations before us, set the bar so high that we couldn’t fathom reaching that level of dignity, respect, and greatness. A time that seems like it has been lost and forgotten. Everything now is a cry and plea for attention, an urge to stand out and be ‘different’ for different sake.
Within the last few years, we all can recall several instances of these. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refusing to stand during the national anthem Friday because of his views on the country’s treatment of racial minorities. Just recently in the news we had co-captain Megan Rapinoe of the U.S women’s national soccer team, not participate in the national anthem as well. The 33-year-old midfielder stood silently with her arms by her sides as teammates sang the Star-Spangled Banner with hands on their chests, proudly regardless of their viewpoints and thoughts on our country. Both of these athletes, representing and participating in sports because of what our country gave them. Not only an opportunity to make an immense amount of money, to fulfill their passions and dreams in life, but most importantly to set an example to others around them.
As I sit and break down these two examples many questions run around my brain. I wonder to myself why they did it, what they looked to gain and most importantly what are they trying to achieve with it. One thing that is important to remember is everything in life must have some ‘end’ in mind. Their ‘end’ in this circumstance was to kneel and by doing so show they “would not stand idly by while there are people in this country who have to deal with these heartaches”, so by doing so it showed their disagreement with our country and its what you could call ‘behaviors’.
I personally agree that our country has many issues, what country doesn’t. I also agree that the specific issues that these two bring up are in fact a problem in our country, to a certain degree. I think we can all safely agree the United States has issues, and we are constantly trying to get better. Not just me, but our whole country agrees (look at our political debates for goodness sakes, what a train wreck).
But here is where I disagree…
The means (kneeling for the anthem) to their end (protesting/taking a stance) in these instances, were both wrong. In fact, I would argue, that it takes more guts and strength to stand for a flag and your country when it is going through tough times, than kneeling as they did. There are a few reasons why I firmly believe that kneeling for the anthem is wrong, and I’ll share them below. My main basis for this being, the WAY they chose to go about it is WRONG.
1. Refusing to stand for the national anthem shows disrespect for the flag and members of the military who have fought for us and our freedom. You want us to respect your ‘opinion and stance/views’, yet the way that you are expressing your stance is with a disrespectful action, (kneeling for the anthem). How can you expect people to get behind your message when what you are doing in its very essence is disrespectful?
2. It’s not the right time or place. Kneeling for the anthem is ineffective and bears no substance. If you so strongly believe in this and have a strong stance, take it up during the offseason and start a campaign. Yes, stand for your beliefs, but in the right setting. How many can recall adults telling us as children “there are a time and place for everything.” Doing it when it is convenient and easy for you to just ‘kneel’ while millions are watching isn’t the way to do it. Let SPORTS be SPORTS again, stop being ATTENTION seekers.
3. It causes more negative than good. These actions are not bringing us closer rather they are causing division, not only amongst the team and players but more importantly our country. You have now taken your personal view and made it an impression on your whole team. You are representing our whole country at a world final and kneeling, because of your ‘issues’ you have. Talk about awkward for your team!
4. It is setting a horrible example for our future generations. The idea that children around the country are being shown that we have no need to respect our flag, our country and what this country has brought us, is a scary thought. Look at the effect it has already started to have. There is no respect for your elders anymore or respect for anything. When I was a child during the anthem, you stood with perfect posture (thanks grandpa), hand over your heart and stood proud, you rarely see this anymore in the youth.
At the end of the day, I truly believe that the way that these ‘outliers’ go about proving their points of views, is done completely wrong. When it comes to trying to achieve an END, it must be well thought out, done with rational thinking, and not done based off of pure emotion. The means must be done in the proper way and time, if not the end will never work!
So, the next time you see the Anthem play, regardless of what your opinion is of our country and your thoughts, stand strong, place your hand on your heart, and pray that we become better as a team!
“The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.”
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