Let’s get something straight here. Kaepernick began his kneeling protest as a statement against police. While it is nice to remember that kneeling is a sign of respect, devotion, humility, and subjection, Kaepernick had no intention of demonstrating any of those. It was a protest statement. In the process, he showed disrespect to the men and women who have bravely and valiantly served this nation in the armed forces, to the republic for which the flag stands as one nation, under God, and is indivisible, as well as to my fellow brothers and sisters who dutifully and honorably strap on a gun and pin on a badge each day of the week. He started a rift in a nation that was supposed to be united and indivisible. If he and others cannot pledge their allegiance to this nation by taking a back seat to their own agendas, and stand in unity with others for the few minutes of a song, then just exactly to what do they pledge their allegiance?
This is not to say that there are not problems. This is not saying that there are no injustices. This is not saying that there are police who need to be reined in. There are problems, injustices, and police who need reined in. Also, just because our “system” here in the United States is better than anywhere else in the world (in my humble opinion) it does not mean that it cannot be better.
I note with a certain amount of interest that when traveling to a foreign nation, when that nation’s anthem is played, you stand out of respect for that nation, its people, and their government. One does not engage in salutatory gestures, but you stand as a sign of respect as a guest to the host. It does not mean that you agree with that form of government.
Do “people of color” think they are the only ones who have run-ins with the police? Are they the only ones who feel singled out? Are they the only ones who feel their civil rights have been violated? Are they they only ones who feel intimidated when a police officer walks up to their car on a traffic stop, while the officer has hands on the pistol grip? Are they the only ones who feel singled out, seemingly without justification, for a temporary detention, a pat-down, or even a full-blown search? Well, no. Don’t tell me that the system is rife with corruption because you don’t have a clue what you are talking about.
I have repeatedly stated that I would not go back into law enforcement again for anything. Things have changed, especially within the last decade. It has been open season on police, especially in the past five years. I would like to think that I was fairly easy-going as a police officer over two decades ago. If I was on the street today you can best believe I would wear body armor and have my hand on my weapon as I approached a car, especially at night when I have absolutely no idea as to who is in the car. I wanted to go home at the end of my shift way back then and I can’t help but think that I would have that same goal today.
So, are there problems today? You bet there are, and it isn’t just a systemic problem. It’s also a people problem, and if I dare say, it’s an entitlement problem.
So, those of you who want to kneel during the National Anthem, go right on ahead. Those of you who want to support that right, knock yourselves out. You have your First Amendment right. I also have my First Amendment right to say what you are doing is wrong and disrespectful on so many levels. And I have a right to be offended. Go ahead and publicly pronounce that we are not one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all, because when you do that you are saying is that you have stopped trying. You are abdicating your responsibility to make this a better place. To those who take a knee or lock arms, put your hands to work instead of putting your knees on the ground. There are better ways to protest, and there are better things to accomplish other than protest. Assume a little responsibility and make this country a better place for everyone.
As for me, I’ll remain steadfast and immovable with my fellow citizens who “get it” along with my brothers and sisters whose manner of dress include a badge and a gun or army khakis or camoes or navy white or marine blue or air force blue, and all the vets who sacrificed their comfort for a foxhole. I will stand with pride and render my salute to our Title of Liberty in spite of the problems.
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