Due to some requests, and because I think it's too important to make light of, I'm setting aside the fedora and gumshoe for this piece. What started out as one player (who I don't like) on one team (which I don't like), has evolved and grown into a movement, that has cascaded to colleges and high schools, and has spread out, eventually reaching us, here, in the stolid Midwest.
During the National Anthem at Northwestern, three Nebraska players knelt, an act of protest against what they see as oppression against minorities and the far too frequent use of excessive force by police agencies across the country. I'm paraphrasing and projecting, a bit, here, since I wasn't in the room when Michael Rose-Ivy made his speech explaining his actions to his coaches and teammates.
I want to go on the record and state unequivocally that I support their action. They have every right to peacefully protest what they see as injustice. The First Amendment is a double-edged sword, and I wouldn't have it any other way. If I want to preserve my right to say unpopular things, things that are controversial, or critical of the government, then I need to stand up and defend those who express ideas, even if they are ideas I disagree with. That's what Liberty is all about.
There were four Nebraska players that helped hold the big, giant flag, on display in the middle of the field. That's cool, too. Those four felt moved enough to express how they felt, and I support them, too. They aren't any more or less American than the three who knelt. They aren't any more of less patriotic than those who knelt. Of the 90 or so players on the travel squad, most of them stood on the sideline, most with their hands over their hearts, at a position, more or less of attention. They weren't any more or less American or patriotic than the seven who made more obvious statements.
But, but, but...They are offending the Veterans.
Nope.
First of all, 'The Veterans' are not a hive-minded Borg, that think as a unit. Are there Veterans that are upset and or offended by these actions? I'm sure there are, you could even cite several to prove your point. I counter that with this Veteran, thumb pointed right at my chest, supports these player's right to peacefully protest. I'm a Cold Warrior, and one of the things that we always indicated as a point of superiority over the dirty Commies, was that we, as Americans, can criticize the Government, we can call our president a reckless cowboy, a philandering drug abuser, or a Muslim appeaser, and the Secret Police won't spirit us away in the middle of the night to some gulag south of Nome. We can voice our displeasure with the weapons designed to protect us and their cost. We can criticize how the military is deployed and it's attendant costs. We the People, ultimately, have the means to bring the Government to heel, if we exercise that freedom to do so.
That's one of the reason's I signed on.
But, but, but...It's not the right time, or place, or their just stupid kids.
Nope, nope, and nope.
If not here, where? If not now, when? If one wants to bring attention to an issue and promote a dialogue, then you grab attention when you will get the most exposure. Are these players drawing attention to themselves? Yep. Will it promote discourse? It has, so far. These young men see a problem, a problem that they know is too big to handle individually, so yes, they, by kneeling during the National Anthem, are gaining attention and requesting help in solving the issue. They should not 'shut up', or find a venue that is more convenient for those that disagree. They are paradoxically taking a stand by kneeling. They are risking far more than any of their critics, and exhibiting a good deal more bravery than any of the numerous fans that stand and endure the three minutes of British Drinking Music that is the last bit of waiting before the games begin.
Really take a look around, the next time you're at a game, and the Anthem is played. You see people of all ages fidgeting, leaving their hats on, messing with their phones, still chit-chatting away, pointing out the chick over in section 36C with the nice rack. Yet, no-one is stepping up and calling them out for disrespecting flag, or dishonoring the memories of fallen warriors. or any of the other red herrings that are being used to criticize these players.
Full disclosure, I stand and follow code when I am present during the playing of the Anthem. I do not, when it is on TV, or on the radio. Even in public, I was at a bar, on Saturday, during the playing of the Anthem, I remained seated. There were three grown-ass men, already drunk, who made quite the ostentatious display of removing their headgear, and standing during the Anthem. They continued to talk loudly, during it's entirety, so, when you boil it down, I guess they earned 1.3 more Patriot Points than me.
What harm is inflicted by the players' actions? I mean, what actual hurt, or pain, or suffering is endured by those that disagree with them? None. To reference Thomas Jefferson when discussing Religion, "...it neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg." Sure, if you want, you can get all in a tizzy about their disrespect, lack of honor, hatred of Country, or whatever, but if you are really offended by what these players do, then you are no better than the Social Justice Warriors crying out against micro-aggressions and trigger words and needing a safe space. That's lame. If you really want to exercise your freedoms and your rights, do some research on the issue. Develop cogent, well-thought out reasons why you disagree with their message, and engage in thoughtful debate. What are you risking? The chance that you might be wrong or that you might have to change your mind. Pretty scary, eh.
On the whole 'Love it or Leave it' attitude. That just makes me sigh. I used to think that way, during the Cold War, when I was 12. If your house is deteriorating around you, do you just love it, anyway, despite the rot, or do you try to fix it? I wonder what side of history I would have been on, and I challenge my readers to examine their own beliefs on the question. That line of binary, false dichotomy has been used against: anti-nuke protesters, (I'm pro nuke); anti-Vietnam War protestors, (I would have been drafted, and gone); Anti-segregation and pro-Civil Rights marchers ( don't think I would have been a Freedom Rider, but I definitely would not have supported Segregation); the Suffrage movement for women (Votes for women, count me in); let's go all the way back to the 1770's. There was a group of rabble-rousers that were protesting, not so peacefully, sometimes, against injustices and abuses by their own government. There was another segment of society that wanted them to shut up, to do their patriotic duty and stop stirring up trouble. They consisted of about 1/3 of the population, and they were called Tories.
So, these rabble-rousers tried various means of protest. They wrote letters, the staged demonstrations, they wrecked stuff up. They were a minority of the population. They were threatened with jail, they were threatened with arrest and they persisted.
When I see a player kneeling on the sideline, calling attention to an injustice, exercising his right to peacefully protest, I think that Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin and Henry, et al, would look at it and say, 'They get it'. The Great Experiment is ongoing, and can only continue if we consistently uphold the rights of all Americans, not just the ones who agree with us, or think like us, or look like us.
Personally, and I'm biased, I like what the Seattle Seahawks have been doing. Rather than singling out players to take the risk on themselves, they have approached the issue as a team. Linking arms and standing respectfully during the Anthem. The whole idea behind the linked arms, is to show that the issue can be resolved through unity and teamwork. People from all backgrounds and beliefs working together to help each other overcome what is obviously a problem. One group can't, and shouldn't have to shoulder the burden alone.
So, Michael Rose-Ivey, Mohammed Barry, and Daishon Neal, speak out, have your say, exercise your rights. Drew Brown, Sam Hahn, Nick Gates, and Zach Darlington, speak out, have your say, exercise your rights. I will reach out and help up MRI, Barry and Neal, and will extend my hand to Brown, Hahn, Gates, and Darlington. I will link arms with you guys at any time, and together, we can fix this.
Husk-husk and on the QB.
No comments:
Post a Comment