THE CRUX OF IT: The dissenting opinion is the most profound expression of freedom.
Last Friday night, the National Anthem began to sound before the Preseason game of the 49ers and The Packers..
That is not unusual.
The unusual thing happened when San Francisco’s QB Colin Kaepernick refused to stand in honor of the tradition.
Was this a negative or disrespectful thing?
NO!
He stated, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
What are the actual words in the lyrics?
“…The Land of the Free…and the Home of the Brave…”
What were the wars that so many lost their lives in fought for?
FREEDOM!
Are we meant to revere the rights that made this country (somewhat) free but not to practice those same freedoms?
Kaepernick expressed his freedom in a brave way, knowing that the backlash against him would be brutal.
The dissenting opinion is the most profound expression of freedom.
Not standing, or not placing a symbolic hand on heart are two examples of how the fight for personal freedoms abroad can be exercised at home.
We all have the freedom to stand or not and we all have the freedom to pledge an allegiance to something or not.
But…
Only some of us have, accept, and bear the responsibility of not standing and not pledging.
Only some of us are free and brave enough to do so…
This was the statement made by the 49ers organization regarding the incident, “The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony. It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.”