To start off with the implication that the NFL players, especially those who are taking a knee, struggled as teens, lived on the wrong side of the tracks, that they came from homes where their mothers were the leaders of the family.....
The implication of this stereotypical racist garbage is why we have the problems that we do. This is the reason they are taking a knee. They are taking a knee because people who pen letters like this continue to create a racial divide. They are taking a knee because they run into stadiums to entertain millions over a weekend but are still subjected to racial profiling. They are taking a knee because it shows more strength than it does to throw a punch. They are taking a knee despite the hatred, the words and the blowback they will receive for raising social awareness. They are taking a knee because it isn't the paycheck, the fame that will change the minds of those who choose to take a higher belief that somehow they are inferior. They are taking a knee because they are tired...tired of the garbage that they, their family, their friends and loved ones are continually denied the rights that someone in their "family" has fought and perhaps died for.
All the acts that you attribute to NFL players are found in the professions of doctors, lawyers, accountants, laborers, and "those who serve". Your desire to point out the failures of those in the public eye, without any mention to those who contribute to their communities is another reason they are taking a knee. You want to use the military as a launching point... why does the military have a drug testing program? Why do the military routinely put soldiers out of the service for the use of drugs? The same 18 year olds who enter the military with a drug history continue it, and some pick it up. Why does the military have domestic violence counseling? Why do soldiers receive Article 15's for the violence they levy against family members? What about those members that are escorted to Leavenworth?
Your shame should be that you don't see that we have a societal problem. It is not only concentrated to the military but it is rampant. The moral decisions that the every day person makes isn't always right. Often those who sit in judgment have at some point in their lives did something dishonest. Perhaps they were a habitual liar that injured others, a thief, an abuser, a bully and so much more.
The American dream? Perhaps you see it from a sofa but you don't live their lives, so why sit in judgment of a group of people peacefully kneeling. Did you type of a diatribe when the players were kneeling in prayer after the games. Some of the very players that are kneeling are of the same group of Christian athletes that prayed before and after every game. Yet, the act of kneeling has caused such a fray.
Every military member who decides to serve raises their hand "voluntarily". They are not forced into service. They are aware of exactly what their contract demands of them, to include "giving their lives if their country calls on them". Every military member raises their hand for personal reasons--some for the college money, some as a family tradition, others because they feel that is their calling. I have yet to stand in a room of potential service members where they have all said they were joining because of the flag.
Just as the NBA is a means to an end for players. The military service is a means to an end for them also. Some military members sit in an air conditioned office eighty to ninety percent of their service years to retirement, yet when they retire they are very patriotic as they claim medical compensation and any benefit that they can acquire. There are service members who never attend sick call while in the service, whether injured or not. They take their military service to heart. They live and breathe to serve our country. They don't complain about who's in office, as they swore they'd follow....
It's funny, that I was able to watch a few military documentaries this morning on "my day". Military history...sometimes you leave the service but it never leaves you. You have a true sense of respect for all of those who serve, past and present. Yet, somehow you always keep an honest view without over glorifying what essentially is a job. Some jobs are high profile--some are not. Some jobs you're in front of the camera, others you are behind the scenes ensuring that those who are can continue doing what they choose to do.
Almost the simple definition of a military members job would require one to function in a role that entitles everyone the freedom and liberty to do all things that the Constitution and laws direct. There may never be a public recognition but when you're doing it for the love of country and God--it suffices.
So, if kneeling is an issue to you, turn the channel, go for a walk or run, spend time with your family and convert that negative energy to something positive. Perhaps if you have so much hatred and anger--perhaps you have a problem that needs to be addressed between you and God, or you and your pastor, or you and whomever you think would be honest in giving you a view that makes you happy.
If boycotting football would bring about change, awesome! If not, let them keep kneeling. Burn your jerseys, season tickets, any and all gear related to football. Scratch off one more sporting activity that gives you an excuse to gather drink, gamble and act out rudely (to the fans who do not no offense).
Until you understand the problem, you want step to the table with a solution. The longer you inflame the problem and make it worse--you won't contribute to anything positive.
Ask yourself: Why am I angry? Does the act or behavior that offends me harms me emotionally, mentally, physically or spiritually? Does it change who I am as a person? Does the act have any merit? How can I contribute to the removal of the act in a positive manner? Does it benefit the world for me to act out negatively, neutrally or positively? Does my actions solicit others to respond in a negative manner?
I'm pretty sure once you answer those questions, it will be easy to push away from the keyboard or continue in a berating manner to anyone whoever may offend you by their actions.
I have and always will support those in the military. I have and always will support those who have the strength to stand up for something that is wrong in our world. There are those who have stormed the shores of beaches under distress. There are those who have sat at lunch counters under distress. Both defending what our Constitution and laws dictate is afforded to us all. There are those who truly defend against an enemy at the 38th parallel daily. There were those who walked arm in arm while dogs were unleashed on them, water hoses..yet they persevered. Stop leveraging one group over another, that is the problem. Open your eyes to something greater than your opinion. Let good win over evil, and recognize which master you serve.
Try smiling? Try using the gained football time to converse with God and read some scriptures. If you're not a religious person, try finding something positive to do in your community. Wrath is and never will be mine... I pray hatred stays out of my heart... If I offend my brother I pray they accept my sincere apology.
Zora"SMILES"
#Phil 4:13
#Eph 6:10-20
#Matt 5:22
