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Posted by on Sep 24, 2017 in Blog, Politics | 2 comments

True Patriotism: Respect vs. Disrespect

 

 

I’ve attended hundreds of sporting events at the college and pro level.  This means I’ve witnessed the customary pre-game rendition of the national anthem more times than I can count in dozens of cities and stadiums all over the country.

I find it puzzling to see those who vehemently criticize pro football players for taking a knee being labeled as “disrespectful.”  The protestors are “disrespecting the flag” is a popular accusation that’s been raised all over social media.  The president has even jumped into the melee, and typically as has been his doing, he’s made the issue far more incendiary for the country he presumably governs.

However, based on my experiences observing the national anthem played at games, of all major sports, there does seem to be quite a bit of hypocrisy going on.

 

I’ve seen countless numbers of fans — of all ages, in different parts of the country, both male and female — talking out loud during the anthem.  I’ve seen countless numbers of fans texting on cellphones during the anthem.  I’ve seen countless numbers of fans eating during the anthem.  I’ve seen countless numbers of fans drinking beer during the anthem.  The fact is, lots of sports fans behave like spoiled oafs.  To me, that’s disrespect.

Meanwhile, concession stands don’t stop serving food, even though it’s just two minutes of music.  Fans don’t stop streaming into the stadium taking their seats just prior to kickoff.  Life pretty much goes on normally off-the-field while the players on-the-field — EVEN THOSE PLAYERS ENGAGED PROTEST — observe a respectful moment of silence while “The Star-Spangled Banner” gets played.  Mind you, these pro athletes kneeling on the sidelines aren’t walking around, laughing amongst themselves, talking out loud, or eating or drinking.  Their decision to kneel illustrates a very different kind of “stand,” and a courageous one at that.  Seems pretty respectful to me.

Since when is kneeling, staying silent, and pondering a calm moment of reflection during the national anthem considered “disrespectful,” while thousands of half-wasted fans wearing faux-team jerseys guzzle down another brew and blabber in conversation over the sound of trumpets?  Explain that to me, please.

And then, there are the real hypocrites of this debate.  Millions of flakey so-called patriots watch these games at home, sprawled out on their sofas….or gathered in bars….or hanging out inside casino sportsbooks.  Don’t even get me started here on such blatant sanctimoniousness.  Rarely have I ever seen anyone stand at attention during the national anthem.  Actually, it’s more like never — except for the Super Bowl spectacle, which is the most viewed rendition of the song every year.  Fact is, when the anthem is shown on TV, most patriotic sports fans are rushing to the refrigerator or flushing toilets.  Please, what was that again you were saying about — disrespecting the flag?

Some insist the league and/or team owners can (or perhaps should) require that all players adhere to a “code of conduct” which would include things like observing patriotic loyalty.  I see this as a grotesque violation of basic rights, even in the workplace.  Keep in mind that those who stand during the anthem are also very much engaged in a political expression of sorts.  So, if one act is authorized, so too must be the other act.  The league nor owners cannot require its employees to hold a certain political view or behave in a certain way.  Either leave the anthem as it is and let players react in their own way, or abolish it entirely from games.  It cannot nor should not be grounds for some litmus test of team or country loyalty.

There’s absolutely nothing whatsoever patriotic nor honorable about forced coercion in a public place, demanding that citizens living in a free republic all march lock, stock, and barrel to the same drumbeat.  That’s not honoring anything.  That’s not patriotism.  To me, that’s an Orwellian nightmare.  That’s the very definition of a totalitarian state which demands strict conformity and blind obedience, which is an anathema to all those (especially conservatives) who claim to be defenders of our personal freedom and the champion of individual rights.

Once again, I guess their twisted interpretation of “freedom” extends only to the viewpoints they share.  Here’s a lesson worth remembering:  Patriotism means something very different to each and every one of us.  We are granted that marvelous right to exercise the manifestation of those varying convictions in different ways — if we so choose.  That goes for you.  It goes for me.  It goes for NFL players, too.

It’s not often I say this given the deteriorating state of sports and entertainment in this country, but watching so many players exercising their rights today, I was proud again — proud to be both a football fan and proud of what this country represents at its best moments.

Thanks to those who stood up and/or kneeled on behalf of what they believe is right.  They deserve respect.  Not the critics who profess to be patriots telling the rest of us what to do and how we should act.  Those who criticize others exercising their rights disrespect the very foundations of a free society.

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2 Comments

  1. Very fair question. Generally, the sorts of folks who object to this are folks who broadly think more positively about concepts like “obedience”, “law and order”, “tradition”, and who behave as if being offended at something is a right protected by the constitution. But, to be honest, I think a lot of the objection in many quarters is that you have dark skinned people doing something other than what they are told.

  2. Well said, Nolan. I favor eliminating the anthem altogether. When I was in grade school they made us stand and pledge allegiance to the flag. Turned me into a “blame America firs” radical, apparently.

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