Winners and Losers
The United States of America is not a place of hate. We are not a place where we restrict what can or cannot say. We were founded on the idea that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." This includes even the people that you do not agree with. Too often we live in echo chambers where we can only hear the things we want to hear, and we base fact on opinion rather than opinion on fact. We have to work on including the other side in our debates and opening ourselves up to serious democratic debate. After all, that is what our founders intended.
I know that it is widely accepted that former NFL Quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, is protesting or disrespecting the military by kneeling during the National Anthem. However, he himself has said that such is not the case. Kaepernick has said that he was protesting race relations, and "could not stand for a flag that oppresses black people and people of color." The point of this is not for me to agree with everything Kaepernick stands for and all that he is doing- but rather for me to explain that it is pointless to get so upset with him for expressing his feelings under the full protections of the First Amendment.
I like to draw upon a different Amendment to make my argument for Kaepernick. When it comes to the Second Amendment, many if not most, feel that even by putting some restrictions on it such as the banning of assault rifles or large capacity magazines, or even something basic like universal background checks, is too much of an infringement by the government on our freedoms. Fair enough. However, by that same logic, Kaepernick, even if he was protesting the military still has the right because if we limit him to protesting things we all agree with then we have infringed upon his rights just as the background checks have. You might not agree with Kaepernick or Nike, but it is their inherent right to say what they wish so long as it does not infringe on anyone else's rights or do harm to others.
I mean no disrespect to the men and women who serve our country, but the very reason that they serve and the values that they are defending are the rights given to us by our Constitution. To say that he does not have the right is flat wrong. Our military go to defend our rights, which yes, does include standing (or kneeling) for what he believes in- even if you do not agree.
On the flip side, those who are burning and boycotting Nike gear have every right to do so as well. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and in a place as big as America, democracy and be noisy and mess- believe me, I know. We tend to always look for winners and for losers but sometimes it doesn't work like that. The argument of if Colin Kaepernick is right or wrong may not have a right answer, but what makes America great is our ability to take our values and stories of everyone and blend it into something uniquely our own. Have discussions with one another, but you do not have to be demoralizing to win. You may win, you may lose, but more than likely you will see things from a different perspective, and right now that is what we badly need.
I know that it is widely accepted that former NFL Quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, is protesting or disrespecting the military by kneeling during the National Anthem. However, he himself has said that such is not the case. Kaepernick has said that he was protesting race relations, and "could not stand for a flag that oppresses black people and people of color." The point of this is not for me to agree with everything Kaepernick stands for and all that he is doing- but rather for me to explain that it is pointless to get so upset with him for expressing his feelings under the full protections of the First Amendment.
I like to draw upon a different Amendment to make my argument for Kaepernick. When it comes to the Second Amendment, many if not most, feel that even by putting some restrictions on it such as the banning of assault rifles or large capacity magazines, or even something basic like universal background checks, is too much of an infringement by the government on our freedoms. Fair enough. However, by that same logic, Kaepernick, even if he was protesting the military still has the right because if we limit him to protesting things we all agree with then we have infringed upon his rights just as the background checks have. You might not agree with Kaepernick or Nike, but it is their inherent right to say what they wish so long as it does not infringe on anyone else's rights or do harm to others.
I mean no disrespect to the men and women who serve our country, but the very reason that they serve and the values that they are defending are the rights given to us by our Constitution. To say that he does not have the right is flat wrong. Our military go to defend our rights, which yes, does include standing (or kneeling) for what he believes in- even if you do not agree.
On the flip side, those who are burning and boycotting Nike gear have every right to do so as well. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and in a place as big as America, democracy and be noisy and mess- believe me, I know. We tend to always look for winners and for losers but sometimes it doesn't work like that. The argument of if Colin Kaepernick is right or wrong may not have a right answer, but what makes America great is our ability to take our values and stories of everyone and blend it into something uniquely our own. Have discussions with one another, but you do not have to be demoralizing to win. You may win, you may lose, but more than likely you will see things from a different perspective, and right now that is what we badly need.
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