This pretty much an American thing, so I apologize to my non-American friends and stumble uponers if you don't understand the following blog post.
If, somehow, you are not familiar with this story, Colin Kaepernik is a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. At the beginning of the team's last preseason game, he sat quietly during the National Anthem rather than stand and face the flag. He has said that he will continue this behavior in protest of the treatment of black Americans and other minorities by society and the police. You can imagine the backlash he's received in just a few short days.
As a veteran, here are my thoughts about Colin Kaepernik and his protest...
The 1st Amendment gives home the right to stand and give the flag respect during the National Anthem or to sit quietly during the National Anthem. It is his choice and right to sit during the National Anthem. There is nothing anyone can do to make him, to force him to stand,m and face the flag during the National Anthem. Not even the POTUS.
I served my country to protect that right and many others for all Americans. So it would be hypocritical for me to come out and say that Kaepernik is wrong and he should stand and face the flag during the National Anthem.
HOWEVER, that does not mean that I agree with him. There are other ways he can show his displeasure with the treatment of black Americans by society and law enforcement. There are other ways to protest. He makes a ton of $$ as a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. He could donate some money to organizations that are working to improve the black American plight in society. He could donate money to charitable organizations that help raise awareness for the problems in primarily black communities. He could donate money to charities that are helping victims of presumed racial attacks and killings.
Like I said, I don't agree with his chosen avenue of protest. But he still has every right to sit during the National Anthem.
Stay Tuned...
DeadGuitarist
