Where do I begin with this post? I have tried and am trying to stay away from topics that are truly divisive on my blog, but maybe I am not supposed to. Maybe I am supposed to bring us together to talk about them open and honestly and more importantly positively. For we cannot heal while our heels are so dug in. We cannot heal while we are so set on what we believe. People have truths. And I cannot help heal your truth and you cannot help heal mine if we refuse to let what each other is saying penetrate to our ears and our hearts. I have heard and seen more times in a day people saying and typing the words “you are not going to change my mind”. Well maybe it shouldn’t be about changing minds as much as it should be about changing hearts. But, maybe also if minds are open change might not be a bad thing. I’m not saying throw what you believe out the window because I have beliefs of my own, but I am saying maybe if we open our hearts and minds to others beliefs then maybe just maybe there is a place in the middle for all of us..
With that said, in the NFL kneeling debate, as someone who firmly believes in the Constitution and other founding documents, I wholeheartedly believe in everyone’s first amendment rights. However, I am not sure that the time and place of the protest is appropriate. A large faction of people use sporting events, concerts, plays, comedy venues, etc. etc.. as places to unwind from a hectic work week, or to escape from their daily grind. They view them as an entertainment addition to their stressed out, overworked, underpaid lives. They do not want to have to face politics, or other ills of this world when they go to such things. Those are some of the things they are trying to escape in the first place. To do it also during the playing of the anthem that is representation of our country could have others thinking that you do not love the country you live in. I’m sure we can all agree that there are and have been moments in this country were evils and wrongs have prevailed. There have been and are prevailing wrongs and evils in every other country in the world, as well, for that matter. To cure them, however, requires forgiveness, understanding, compassion, faith, trust, and love to name a few. Only when we are willing to give of all of these will we make progress.
Some say our founding documents are flawed. Maybe they are, but then again maybe they are not. History teaches us that America was the grand experiment. The coming together of people who lived oppressed lives, who were not free to do as they pleased. So they started anew where “We The People” would have some say so – some power. But in trying to forget the evils of a growing nation, instead of forgiving them, we erase huge parts of history or we skew it. When we do this, how do we prevent generations that follow from making the same mistakes? How do we prevent ourselves from making the same mistakes? In speaking of history, I thought maybe I could start this conversation with a video of the history of the writing of our National Anthem from YouTube with David Barton a historian telling the story. Along with the actual four verse poem that became it, which I found at www.freerepublic.com. I have asked several people in the last few days if they have either seen, heard, or read either of these. The response has always been no. So I hope I am able to attach the video for you all to see and paste the poem for you all to read.
THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER
Oh, say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep’s pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
I am someone who is glad that I was not at Fort McHenry taking numerous days and nights of bombing and as such will decide to stand and show respect to the flag that represents the nation that many have died for. What you choose is what you choose. And I also am someone who will gladly listen to and try to help solve or at minimal understand that which you feel the need to protest. Maybe, if we calmly speak and hear each other we can find solutions together. First, however, I think we need to forgive the past for if we continue to choose to live there, we will not move forward.. Personally, I think we have come along way and know we have further to go, but if you are willing to ride along so am I.. As always, I have never wanted this a one way conversation, so please join in it with respect and an open mind, heart, and soul — Please Let’s Learn From Each Other and Help Heal Each Other.
I have said quite a bit on Facebook and know you probably did not know that Alan was my brother, but irregardless of whether or not he was – I have continually asked that we hear and learn from each other on my site.. There has to be and are better ways to get our points across than to intentionally demean someone. Please bring your knowledge, your facts, etc. — But please bring them without intentionally knocking someone down while you are doing it.. People may not know the facts based on the media in these days or they may be uneducated, but you may find that they are willing to hear what you are willing to say and/or learn the truth if you approach them with a different tone, different attitude, and a willingness to hear them also. Things are making all of us angry these days, can we just please try to not take that anger out on each other anymore.. Thanks for considering that…
Wow! Powerful words! Agreed Sis! Whether I choose to love or loath our commander in chief is far less important then understanding what I see to be the grander picture. Mr Trump, since taking office, has certainly shifted the paradigm and energies of how we view things. Whether we choose to take a side when he sends outlandish tweets or speaks publicly is of our own free will. By doing my homework I am quickly learning that what we were taught as history in our grammar schools is just short of fabrication. Either stretching the truth or omission of detail. Reality isn’t reality at all but only an illusion of what certain individuals manipulate us into believing. I am certainly saddened by all the conflict, friction, and division I see. Compromise is a viable option as any. Communication and compromise and balance a necessity for survival.
Very legthy posts. All three of them.
Laura, you seem to over explain just so as not to offend. Being offended is one of many sources needed to build moral character.
Alan, I hate to break this news. But you are an idiot. Starting your reply saying you don’t remember what started this but blameing the whole thing on President Trumps “assholedom”.
This started with this “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game. “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.”
And you explain it with this and blameing the President “This is how slavery is justified by the wealthy who exploited this major flaw for economic gain in the first place. The wealthy love it when the poor squabble with prejudice and capricious behaviors.”
Kaepernick is no more justifide in his reasoning to not stand and honor the country that ensures his right to do than you are in your ignorant comment about slavery.
Slavery is never justifide. But slavery exists today. Who is fighting that?
NFL players stood for “God save the Queen” last weekend but took a knee during our national anthem. In effect, honoring the country that started the slave trade in North America and disrespecting the country that abolished the slave trade in North America.
And why a protest? Rich ass football players protesting a perseved injustice and taking a knee. How about the rich bastards get on their feet and do something about it?
If you’re going to bitch about something you might want to learn as much as possible about it before opening mouth and inserting foot.
I have allowed this comment to go through, even though I have stated that I wanted a positive environment for discussion. The use of language strikes me that there is definite negativity in the comment.. I may have views of my own of every President including this one, but I make every attempt to keep my loathing to a minimum.. I choose to not meet ugly with ugly, but rather try to put positive in every aspect of my life.. It is a struggle sometimes, but I try to work hard at it… With that said – one of the points of my post is that neither side is listening.. The people taking a knee are not being heard or possibly not being heard because of the venue they are choosing or maybe more at the time in the venue they are choosing to do it. The people that are taking the knee are also not hearing that others are feeling hurt by the timing of and venue of them taking a knee.. Discussion definitely needs to be had, there just maybe should be a different venue to have it.. The other part of my post was to teach some truer history to those that maybe have never heard or read it.. Now adding to the discussion, I just read a speech by Frederick Douglas in which he mentions the feeling of superiority and about worldwide how it happens and that was back in the early 1800s. I think there is a belief by some that they are superior period. Does not matter the race, the religion, the economic status, etc. There are people that I come across – nearly daily – that try to make me feel inferior. It may shock you that they come in all races, and economic statuses. My heart believes though that those people are not in the majority and that the mass can somehow find its way back to each other.. I also want to add and have said it in many personal discussions I have had with members of other races that I will never know what it was like to grow up them, but they should not also make assumptions about me having a better life because of the color of my skin.. If we are being open and honest just to give you one instance of hatred coming the other way I will tell you a story.. and notice I said one of — there have been many that I have never shared with anyone – including family… While in California, a friend (of another race) and I used to go out a lot together – mostly around our workplace or in the places I would go. I had been to her house, met her family, met her neighbors and had great relationships with them all. One day she wanted to take me to her club – where she hung out.. Of course I agreed immediately.. I was the only one of my race in the establishment and that did not bother me at all, nor her, nor most of the patrons. Men asked me to dance and I said yes.. We had a very enjoyable time – until we went to leave. When the two of us got out into the parking lot, about 7 women or more followed – all of them calling me white trash amongst many other things.. They were threatening my life as well.. My friend grabbed me by the arm and threw me behind her — she said “slowly back up – one step at a time and do not turn your back – keep facing them”. Then she began to holler back at them while both of us slowly took one step back at a time as they approached until we reached the vehicle.. She never took me back obviously and I don’t know if she ever went back.. My crime – dancing with men who were not of my race.. I suppose I thanked her then for saving my life or at minimal from an ass kicking or mob style take down whichever.. My point in telling this story is that each one of us individually – no matter wealth, no matter poverty, no matter race, no matter gender, no matter religion, no matter… has a story to tell of life experiences – some good-some bad.. I 100% agree we need to discuss – that is why I say on my intro – Let’s Learn About Each Other — BUT — the discussion has to be open and honest and people should not walk in with assumptions — Do I hate the entire race or races for that matter because of the people that have represented them and chose to do me harm??? NO — So it should be that people need to not hold an entire race hostage because of some.. just my opinion. Also to the kneeling point – Do I think there are bad cops??? Certainly.. But should we judge them as a whole for the ones out of line?? Do I think that the good cops should be more adamant in cleaning house?? Of course.. All discussions we should have and need to have… Just briefly touching the surface of a topic that can and maybe should be a separate post – Slavery… In my research of history, I have come to find that even though slavery was more prominent in the south, that northerners also had slaves, so were there some blacks that actually had slaves.. Part of a bigger problem for those of us learning is how history gets changed along the way and the truth is not taught – another way to keep us divided. For example most of my life I did not know there were 4 verses to our national anthem. When we removed 2 because they may have been offensive to some – we made it so we never learned the true history of what happened during the battle. Hence why I said in my original post that history needs to be forgiven – not removed or forgotten.. In all of our discussions I hope two things they are positive and truthful. My last thought, because this probably could have been another blog post, for those of us really paying attention and trying to engage others, we wonder why most cannot see that we all somehow have allowed ourselves to become slaves to a very powerful corrupt government — I pray each day that we can somehow find our way back to each other and then jointly take back what was gifted to us – A grand idea – a nation powered by and for “WE THE PEOPLE”…
When the first player took a knee last season (his name escapes me) it was assumed by others that he didn’t love his country or respect his flag. Maybe he loves both more than he is given credit for. He was saying that the current climate of racist brutalities (his perception at the very least) was unacceptable for a nation he holds in high esteem.
People need to listen more and get out of there self centered occupations. I’m speechless (evidenced to the contrary in this rant) that taking a knee offends someone more than the perpatrated injustices that are being protested in the first place.
This recent wave of solidarity in the NFL is telling the president to cut the shit!! Trump should save his assholedome for the locker room along with his pussy groping comments. Honestly, he needs to be replaced with a better president, stat!
You want to stand up? Stand up! You want to take a knee? Take a knee! This whole controversy is a massive distraction from a much bigger problem. There’s a belief by some that they are superior by way of their race. This is how slavery is justified by the wealthy who exploited this major flaw for economic gain in the first place. The wealthy love it when the poor squabble with prejudice and capricious behaviors. Instead of getting all offended by our brothers and sisters of the opposing view, we need to listen to them and reflect back the understanding with graceful and respectful responses. And then turn around together and give the president a major ass kicking!