I find myself filled with anger and sadness today. Over the past few weeks, I’ve come across some posts in my feed that struck a chord with me. I’ve remained silent, even as I felt the sting of your words. But today, I choose to speak up.
The actions of certain athletes not standing for our national anthem may not directly impact your life. It might irritate you, but it doesn’t alter your day-to-day existence. However, every time a Black individual is unjustly killed and the footage circulates on national TV, it hits hard. It impacts me, my children, and my family. We are not criminals; we aren’t wandering the streets in hoodies clutching Skittles and iced tea as if we deserve such treatment. Your defense of those actions affects us all, including my husband, whose job feels increasingly perilous and makes him a target for hostility.
If you feel inclined to “unfriend” me or label me, that’s your choice. I’ve endured far worse than anything you could imagine. I’ve faced blatant disrespect and racism from law enforcement, yet I’ve chosen to keep quiet to protect my husband. One day, I’ll speak out for the sake of my children.
If you fail to recognize the systemic issues with how Black and white individuals are treated in this country, then I question the foundation of our friendship. This isn’t merely a matter of differing opinions; it’s a fundamental disparity in perspective that positions you to dismiss the legitimate grievances of others. You reduce these issues to mere disagreements, akin to victim-shaming women who have suffered sexual assault.
Take, for instance, Jason White. He represented our country and chose to commit a crime abroad, fleeing from accountability. His actions were a disgrace, yet the outrage directed at him paled in comparison to the uproar over an athlete refusing to stand for the anthem. Many were more concerned about a gymnast’s hand placement during the anthem than about White’s legal troubles. Several white athletes have also not placed their hands over their hearts, and yet, there was no outcry.
Let’s fast forward to the present. To all those criticizing Colin Turner and others like him, allow me to introduce myself. I’m not a pampered athlete. I’m not “ignorant.” I don’t harbor hatred for law enforcement or for America. I stand for the anthem. I’m not a puppet of activist movements. My family background is nothing like the stereotypes you might conjure.
So how will you label me? How will you disparage my family or friends? Can you write me off as brainwashed by activists? I owe my entire existence to the protests of the past, both peaceful and tumultuous.
It’s true that kneeling during the national anthem may be seen as disrespectful, but the Constitution protects that right just as it does for the civilian ownership of firearms, which I personally oppose. Without courageous protests, my life—and that of my family—would look vastly different. Consider that the next time you dismiss these athletes as disrespectful.
Would you risk your job, livelihood, and personal safety to highlight injustice? Why should I have to risk everything just to have the same rights you enjoy?
People often claim that he disrespects the military—yet this is his form of fighting back. He has no protective shield and faces threats against his family. Yet, people burn his jersey and vow to stop watching the NFL because a few Black men chose to kneel.
Think about how your comments and actions influence those around you. Reflect on how memes initially calling him anti-American have taken a decidedly racist turn. It’s essential to understand how your disregard for the issues he highlights reflects on you.
And let’s address the tendency of some to tell marginalized communities how to solve their problems. Posting examples of the few who align with your perspective does not negate the millions who feel otherwise.
Standing for the anthem at sporting events is one thing, but how often do you do so when no one is watching? It’s easy to display patriotism in public. Without the voices that challenge societal norms, we wouldn’t have the opportunities we do today. I could not have married my husband, a police officer, or own a business.
Disciplining my children doesn’t mean I don’t love them. Raising concerns with a spouse isn’t an indication of hatred. If someone critiques a teacher or a police officer, does that make them anti-educator or anti-cop?
We must address the issues we face in this country, no matter how painful. Feel free to express your discontent over athletes not standing for the anthem; clearly, that’s the pressing issue at hand. (That’s sarcasm.)
For more insights, check out this post that dives deeper into similar themes.
In summary, the cries for justice and awareness are vital. They’re not just protests; they are calls for change. We need to acknowledge and confront the issues that exist, regardless of whether they directly affect us.
Leave a Reply