The Anthem

Kneeling during the "National Anthem." Now this is one of the most controversial topics widespread across our country today. It all started back when 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick decided he wasn't going to stand for the anthem to protest civil injustice and it quickly spread across the NFL. So much of politics, economics, and society has been influenced by this movement. Now I'm not here to tell you why you should stand for the anthem. Nor am I here to tell you why you should kneel. But I'm here to voice my opinion on what you should do. And it is simply put like this, do what you feel is right, and allow others to do the same. Honestly, if everyone did this, there wouldn't be so much hate.

Simply put. Do what you feel is right. Some reasons why people stand for the anthem that I've heard are that so many people have died for your freedom. Over our history, so many have fought and perished for our rights. And for us to stand during the anthem to honor those that have fallen is an amazing thing. And when some kneel, others become so angry that those kneeling would "disrespect" those that fought for our country. However, I believe strongly that those that are kneeling are NOT making a statement against the military, they are NOT intending to disrespect the military. The reasons they kneel are not even related to the military whatsoever. I believe that those people kneeling have the utmost respect for those that have served. Just because they are kneeling does not mean they hate the military, that they don't appreciate the service of many, and to think that those kneeling have that primary intent is flat out ignorant.

Those that kneel have a purpose in kneeling. They are NOT protesting the military, but protest things like civil injustice, police brutality, or other issues they feel strongly about. They kneel because they want these issues fixed. The reasons they kneel have nothing to do with the military, so people need to stop attacking them for it. How can they defend themselves or make their statement when you attack them for something completely irrelevant? That's like me telling you that I don't like a certain song but then you slam me for hating the NBA because they once used that song during pregame. See? How does that make any sense? How am I suppose to defend myself? I can tell you no, but then your argument is just "But the NBA uses it, so you must hate it." These athletes are kneeling to protest racial discrimination and then you run in saying, "Oh, you're kneeling? You must hate the military." What can they say? They can say no, but then you'll argue that since the military is American, they must hate the military. What these athletes are protesting has NOTHING to do with the military. So stop bringing the military into this.

And the servicemen that are offended by this. I can understand why you are. I can understand how much you have sacrificed and I am so appreciative of what you have done and what you continue to do. However, please understand that these athletes are not protesting you or what you do. And please understand that they also appreciate your service and sacrifice also. Why they kneel is not personal against you. Please understand that.

I wanna talk a little about Megan Rapinoe. From looking at social media, this outstanding female athlete is very hated. Which to me, is sad. The player that led the United States to a World Cup victory is hated by her own country. I think that she is judged too harshly for her opinion. I look at her play style. She is a fantastic player and one of the BEST in the world at what she does. We should be proud that she hails from the US. And I look at her celebrations, her dancing with her teammates, socializing with others, and having fun. She seems so happy with what is going on and her personality is what should define her. Personally, I think she is a great person. And yeah maybe you could argue that if you play for the national team, you should support the national anthem, but that one belief doesn't mean she is a horrible person. She just uses her platform to express her beliefs.

LeBron James is another athlete with a huge voice in this matter. LeBron was once told to "shut up and dribble." He was told that as an athlete, he should just do his job playing basketball and have no voice in politics. To me, that is wrong. As an American citizen, he has just as much of a right to voice his opinion as you and I do. And to those that say him being a professional athlete and having so much influence isn't fair, I say to you, maybe you should have been on the court more than on your couch and you would have as much influence in what you say. He worked his ass off to get to where he is today, and even though I am very much opposed to LeBron James when it comes to the basketball court, I am very much on his side off the court. The man has so much influence and has used it for so much good. And I am a huge fan of that. Doesn't matter your status, if you're an American citizen, you have a right to speak out. You have freedom of speech. Fame or status does not alter that right.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is, is that we are all doing what we feel is right. We all have different beliefs and instead of fighting each other about who is right and who is wrong, we should applaud each other for standing up for what we believe in, even if we personally don't agree.

Take a look at this picture. Some kneel and some don't. But are they separated? No. They still have love for each other. They are still brothers. They're arms are still locked whether they stand or kneel. They may have different beliefs, which is evident by why some stand and some kneel, but they do not hate each other for it. They are teammates, they are brothers, and they understand each other. They understand why one kneels and they understand why another stands, and although they may have a different opinion, they support each other.

Those that are right in the middle of it understand this concept and so should we. Me personally, when the national anthem plays, I will stand and I will have my hand on my heart. That is my personal belief but I have ZERO hard feelings towards those that choose to kneel because I know that they kneel for a reason. They kneel because they believe in something. And they have that right to do that. It doesn't affect me. It doesn't change my personal beliefs, so why should I be offended or angered by it? Just because someone kneels doesn't mean I have to, and just because someone stands doesn't mean I can't kneel. Let them do what they think is right and support them. We are all brothers and sisters, and we should applaud each other for standing up for our beliefs, because honestly, that is hard. It is so hard to stick up for what you believe in, especially when the majority is against you and you receive so much hate and criticism for it. And I am so impressed with those that make that stand. So while I won't kneel, I will be just like that NFL player in the picture above and be in arm in arm with those that do kneel. Because I know that they are doing what they think is right and I will respect them for their beliefs. I believe that the issues that are being protested can actually be resolved if we were to stop worrying about the kneeling and focus on the reason behind the kneeling. People are too pissed off about the action and they don't even acknowledge the meaning behind it. Focus on that and we can solve our issues.