One more post re the whole NFL/national anthem protest issue.
Think about this, the very words during which some are locking arms and taking a knee:
“And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air
gave proof through 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. ”
Yes. It does.
Through war. Through economic crises. Through political disagreements. Through racial tensions. Through protests, both peaceful and not. Through challenge after challenge, our flag is still there.
Regardless of which side you take on this issue, take to heart the words of that national anthem.
OUR FLAG IS STILL HERE.
No matter what actions others may take.
No matter whether or not you agree with these actions.
No matter who tries to tell you what to think or how to feel or how to respond.
No matter who boycotts. Or who protests.
Our flag is still here. And that symbol, that red, white & blue, represents, as the anthem states, the land of the free and the home of the brave.
I, personally, choose to stand for the flag and all that it represents to me.
At the same time, I understand that others whose life filters are different than my own choose to see this as an exercise of the very freedoms granted to each of us by those who have fought for it.
They fought for our right to express our beliefs.
They fought for our freedom.
So in a strange sort of way, those who choose to stand up for those rights are honoring those who fought for those rights.
I know this is a rather odd way to look at things.
But until we see the world through others’ eyes, we will forever remain divided.
I choose to stand for the flag. And I choose to not let how others make their own choices affect my choice or my love of my country.
Because our flag is still here.
