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Monday, September 25, 2017

Passion, Heart, and Soul—why kneel during the National Anthem of the United States

There is starting to be a controversy on everyone’s mind these days about whether to or not to boycott the professional football players due to the fact a football player kneeling during the National Anthem of the United States. Is it disrespectful to the military, our country, illegal, or what to kneel?

The corporate news media and social media seem to have made it a rather big issue because of what President Trump stated in a speech at a political rally/fund raiser in Alabama. He said and I quote exactly from the video of his speech: “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners say to somebody disrespects our flag to say ‘get that son of a bitch off the field right now! Out, he’s fired!’ “ [1] He (President Trump) was expressing his opinion of what Colin Kaepernick (a free agent/player of the NFL) did last season and this season about sitting out and kneeling during the United States National Anthem during pre-game ceremonies.

I have questions: (1) Why did our president refer to Mr. Kaepernick’s mother as a bitch dog in heat and or a woman who is extremely hateful? (These are the definitions of son-of-a-bitch.) (2) Does President Trump know her personally? (3) Why was Kaepernick sitting or kneeling during the National Anthem at the presentation of the United States’ Flag (Old Glory)? (4) Are there others who have done this and for what reason? (5) Is it disrespectful for what they did?

President Trump (to my knowledge) has never met Mrs. Teresa Kaepernick, Colin’s mother. Nor has he met Colin’s father. But in a statement issued by his parents, it is explanatory as to how they feel about this situation: “As his parents, it pains us to read articles and tweets saying that his family does not support him; this could be further from the truth. We want people to know that we are very proud of our son and admire his strength and courage in kneeling for the rights of others.” [2]

How should I sum this up? The President of the United States used a very poor choice of words. He should apologize to Mrs. Kaepernick. This has nothing to do with political correctness. What did we call or refer to people who called others names in school? Bullies? If a child was to use this phrase of words in school, they would get into serious trouble. But, to watch a President use this type of wording in a political speech is disheartening, unjustified, rude, and uncalled for. If it were not for mothers, we children wouldn’t be here.

To kneel or not to kneel is the question? Kaepernick sat and kneeled during the NFL pre-game ceremonies. Why? Simple answer. He was supporting racial equality, and solidarity as supported by the constitution of the United States of America. He was exercising his constitutional right of freedom of expression as stated in the 1st Amendment. [3] Wow! That is something else. He wasn’t the only NFL player who has done this. Numerous ones have, and the reasoning is the same. They feel there is a problem in this country where many have issues of racial profiling and political equality (racially and sexually) not being adhered to like it should.

Jabrill Peppers (Cleveland Browns) explained that he and others took a knee during the United States National Anthem to pray because there is so much “racial and social injustice in the world.” [4]

We are now persecuting NFL players for praying, supporting racial equality, and supporting the United States Constitution.

One of the parts to a political oath of office, and the oath of the military sort of reads the same. “I will defend and support the Constitution of the United States of America.”

Is equality in the constitution? Is freedom of speech (freedom of expression) covered in the constitution? (The United States Constitution). Is this the same Constitution that our military has defended and supported in war and peace time so we can have those rights? Were the NFL players supporting the constitution for the same reason as the military except during a sporting event?

What is the big deal? It is not disrespectful to support the freedoms of this country, nor, is it 
disrespectful to lower one’s self on their knees and pray for such. By-the-way, it isn’t illegal.  

I will leave it at that. I defend and support the constitution of the United States of America. I will not persecute or degrade anyone that does and or doesn’t as long as it is legal within the terms set by the laws of our local, state, and national codes. Mr. President if you don’t like the Constitution, then that is your right as guaranteed under the constitution, but do not call people names. It is unbefitting someone in your position.

Have a great Monday. God bless each and everyone. 



**Special Note -- In the Sports Day article published by the Dallas News, Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys) was misquoted a lot lately in news articles about this very subject.  





[1] Trump, Donald (President of US), Political Campaign Rally and Fund Raiser for senatorial candidate Strange, Hunstville, Al., 22nd September, 2017.
[2] Martinelli, Michael R., “Colin Kaepernick’s mom fires back at Donald Trump’s Criticism of National Anthem protest.” USA Today Sports.  23rd September 2017. (accessed 25th September 2017) http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/09/colin-kaepernick-donald-trump-national-anthem-protest-fired-teresa-kaepernick-mom-proud-response
[4] Staff Writer. “What Cowboy’s owner, Jerry Jones, others are getting wrong about national anthem protest.” Dallas News-Sports Day. 23rd September 2017 (accessed 25th September 2017) https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2017/09/23/cowboys-owner-jerry-jones-others-getting-wrong-national-anthem-protests

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