On August 26, 2016, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first refused to stand during “The Star-Spangled Banner” to protest racial injustice and police brutality in the United States.
Look. What. He. Started!
Emotions and opinions from NFL fans, and all citizens, are being displayed and heard all over all forms of media.
In Proverbs 17:14 we read, “The start of an argument is like a small leak in a dam. Stop it before a big fight breaks out.” Well, I believe the dam has broken. Even as quiet as Kaepernick started it, his actions spoke volumes.
I feel certain that the message from Kaepernick has even gotten somewhat lost for some, and this protest has reared another ugly head of its own. But, when you mess with an iconic and such a symbolic form patriotism as standing for our National Anthem, you’ve taken your “silent protest” to another level.
I heard from a friend who served our country as a United States Navy Seal. He bleeds red, white, and blue. In our messages, he displayed two photos for me. The first picture depicted a young child being handed his parent’s folded flag at their funeral. My friend commented, “I want the NFL in all its wisdom to explain to young minds like this why it’s ok to upstage a moment of respect for our military in exchange for social justice. Two wrongs don’t make a right.” Well said, my friend.
In the second photo, the caption states, “What taking a knee for your country actually looks like.”
If these photos and comments didn’t hit you in the gut, I don’t know what will.
I observe the numerous men and women who have not only lost a leg, arm, the capability to walk, hear, or see, or even their minds, but too many to count have lost their lives. Why? Because they volunteer to serve our great country so that WE can remain brave, strong, and free.
I spoke with another friend and former Navy Seal, Steve Solomon, and he said that he has no problem with citizens having the freedom to protest, but…during our National Anthem…that’s BS. He agrees with my husband and says that if you want to protest, then do something. For example, form an outreach program. Do something. Create a mechanism where you can educate the youth and people in general. It’s simple to just take a knee. But to do so during our National Anthem is the wrong stage. Not negotiable.
Steve also declared that the rules of the game state, helmet in left hand, stand, right hand on heart (see below). Rules are rules. My buddy, Steve, said, “No one is perfect. The only One (Jesus) who was perfect died at the age of 33. And…Talk to Job. He didn’t protest, and Job lost much more than what these players are protesting.” Again, well said, my friend.
The game operations manual pronounces regarding the National Anthem: “The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem. During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses.” http://time.com/4955704/nfl-league-rulebook-a62-63-national-anthem-rule/
I came across an interesting read on the internet. This article highlights where and why this song was written. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard this story. Good read. (Click here to read.) In the article, they posted all four phrases of our anthem, with side notes:
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 rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there. Oh! say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave, O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave? (“Ramparts,” in case you don’t know, are the protective walls or other elevations that surround a Fort. The first stanza asks a question. The second gives an answer. )
On the shore, dimly seen thro’ the mist 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. Oh! long may it wave, O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave! (“The towering steep” is again, the ramparts. The bombardment has failed, and the British can do nothing more but sail away, their mission a failure. In the third stanza, I feel Key allows himself to gloat over the American triumph. In the aftermath of the bombardment, Key probably was in no mood to act otherwise. During World War II, when the British were our staunchest allies, this third stanza was not sung. However, I know it, so here it is)
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 washed 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.
(The fourth stanza, a pious hope for the future, should be sung more slowly than the other three, and with even deeper feeling. )
Oh! Thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand, Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation, Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n – rescued land, > Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, for our cause is just, And this be our motto – “In God is our trust.” And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave, O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Powerful words!
In school, we have the Pledge of Allegiance each morning, followed by a moment of silence. (Yes, in our public school system! Thank You, Jesus!) During that moment of silence, I always encouraged the students to pray, meditate, think about, be grateful, or whatever during that moment, but remain silent. As the students stood in silence, I would pray for them and the day ahead. Yet, during the pledge, we all stood, with our right hand over our hearts, and recited the pledge to our flag. I’d often remind them of the men and women who have and are still serving our country, and the sacrifices they make for us to live in The Land of the Free. Maybe that’s one thing we can bring to our NFL. ALL stand for the National Anthem, then…you can have your silent “protest” during a moment of silence. I feel confident that many prayers for our country, the players, and many injustices would be said during that time, whether folks are kneeling, sitting, or remain standing.
One of my favorite verses comes from Micah 6:8. In it we learn what The Lord requires of us: “to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Let’s do the right thing. Don’t disrespect our flag by kneeling. Be compassionate towards others, and simply obey the Lord.
Also in Micah, we read in chapter 6 verse one, “Listen to what the Lord is saying: “Stand up and state your case against me. Let the mountains and hills be called to witness your complaints.” The emphasis was mine. STAND UP.
Take a stand! Don’t disrespect our nation by kneeling during our National Anthem.
Take a stand! You have an issue, DO SOMETHING, not just take a knee. DO SOMETHING!
Take a stand! We are supposed to be a country of indivisibility, and one nation under God. Mr. Colin Kaepernick’s stance has created much division in our country. We need to come together to solve problems, not create them.
Take a stand! Pray. I want to encourage you to KNEEL in prayer. Even put your face to the ground, if you’re able, and pray for our country, your own heart and attitude, and any injustices.
Blessings to you and yours, Stephanie