A Silent Protest Won’t Hurt Anyone

Alabama prep announcer, Allen Joyner’s comments during Friday’s football game in McKenzie Ala., highlight the need to address the perpetuation of injustice in America. There is a thin line between respecting this country and hating its citizen.

“If you don’t want to stand for the national anthem, you can line up over there by the fence and let our military personnel take a few shots at you since they’re taking shots for you,” Joyner said.

What happened to the support of freedom of speech and freedom of expression as a constitutional right? It is unpatriotic to rob any citizen of his or her rights. Regardless of his status, Kaepernick’s decision to take a knee during the National Anthem demonstrates his desire to share his outlook on life as a minority. For professional athletes to use their platform to draw attention to a systematic problem, the devaluation of black lives — is commendable.

Advocates for the national anthem and critics of those who seek justice are misguided. The conversation needs to be centered around why innocent black lives are been taken for granted, not why their lives should be cut short because of their acts of social justice.

The desire to contribute to the eradication of individuals who don’t support the national anthem, a song with lyrics that are oppressive in nature, justifies their silent protests as a mechanism to address injustice.

So Americans are supossed to believe Kaepernick must be wrong because he is stepping out of role as a professional football player? Kaepernick can’t be wrong for trying to prevent the likelihood of police brutality and other injustices toward minorities.

“Standing for our national anthem doesn’t make you a good American,” Fox reporter, Tamara Holder said.

It isn’t a far stretch to extend the claim that senseless killing of activists does not make someone a “good” American. Clearly, this theory is called into question when so-called patriotic Americans openly criticize a group of Americans for speaking out against injustice.

Even those minorities who proudly represent red, white and blue are not completely sure they will make it out alive when they have encounter men and women in blue. Loyalty to America is not always beneficial to all patriots, black, white or any other racial category in between.

Americans must reconsider what it means to be “American”. Then determine if those who fit the mold are supporters of justice and equality for all. One solution to redefining patriotism is to add a layer of inclusiveness. No one wants to admit that the pro-slave culture was prominent during the writing of the national anthem. Those same patriots saw themselves as more important than slaves. Some critics will say they are unaware of the true history of “Star Spangled Banner.” It is hard to tell the difference between that sentiment then and now. Before speaking against silent protesting across America, they need to understand what they are standing for.