This spoke to me today:
Proverbs 31:8-9 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute./Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Is it how I would do it; no. Should it spark a question on why? Yes. Should it make you stop and reflect? Yes. Is it a freedom that is allowed in this country? Yes. Do you have to agree? No.
Does the amount of money they make matter? Yes because now they have the platform to speak up for those who cannot. Just because someone is an athlete or musician or performer does not mean they are no longer a human who can see injustice and call it out. They do not lose their right to freedom of speech because of their pay grade. This does not also mean you have to agree with them or not speak your mind either.
But please, stop being divisive and attacking. Do you not see that is adding to the problem? Have a conversation. Stop reading articles that sensationalize to get you to click. They are trying to get you upset so you share and they get more hits and therefore, more money.
From where I stand, when I see sports teams take a knee it is because someone is injured. They face that person, wait quietly, and acknowledge the injury while respecting the injured. It seems to me by taking a knee, facing the flag, waiting silently, they are saying there has been a massive injury on our country’s part. Because they love everything this country stands for, they are saying there are people out there that are still hurting daily because we are not there.
If someone cannot see there are groups in this country severely marginalized, they are not paying attention. Just look at the choice words on Facebook.
I read a post today from a family member who says they see no racism and I know where they live – I’ve heard their neighbors say “those colored ….”. I’ve heard them say the N word. I’ve heard the community say “he is nice enough for a colored person.” I’ve walked into a restaurant with a person of middle eastern ancestry and had the entire restaurant go quiet and stare at us through the meal. Yet – she sees no racism where she lives.
If you can’t understand where someone is coming from, why this matters so much they feel the need to draw this level of attention, I beg of you to stop being more interested in being right than understanding. If we want to move forward as a country, we have to listen – really listen and not listen to purely debate. This is basic communication and based upon divorce rates and therapy, we clearly lack in this department.
I get the anger – I stand for the pledge and anthem. I co-lead a troop of girls and we stand and speak of why it is important to. Some family and many of my friends are military and I am in debt to them daily for their bravery to allow us these rights and the sacrifice they live. Personally, I would not chose not standing as my method. That does not mean I do not understand why they did. I do not live in their shoes or their friends and until I do, it is my responsibility to seek to understand and help. It is all of ours. And it is also their right.
Seek to understand.
Meanwhile – keep reading. Recognize division of people means other people can play with that power and sneak in. Common theme in childhood games – turn everyone against a person to diminish their influence. Don’t allow that. Unity is always better. Disagree without calling names. Disagree and still understand a viewpoint.
We are the United States of America. When people try to divide us, we band together, we acknowledge differences and we reach out our hands. Band together, America. An injury does not mean it can’t heal but if you ignore it’s there, it can breed infection. We are stronger than that. Understand for now they may have to kneel and then clap when we can ALL stand back up.
Be Imperfection 