Patriotism isn't just about waving the flag, shouting WE'RE #1 and demanding that anyone who doesn't agree with you, to get out.
Sometimes, being a patriot means taking a look at your country and being willing enough, and brave enough to say "We need to do better"
We can't call ourselves the "Land of the Free" if we all aren't equally free.
We can't say "Liberty and Justice For All", if all of us don't experience either liberty OR justice equally.
We have to be willing to have that conversation and recognize where America does indeed fall short of it's promise to ALL of her citizens. And then be willing to take steps to correct those issues.
Patriotism is ALSO about taking the blinders off and realizing that not all Americans had the same experience. Some of us live in a starkly different America than others.
We are no less American than anyone else. But its times like these, when we try to make our voice heard that we are often reminded that in the eyes of many to include not just the occupants of the White House, but also many "normal" folk, that we're still not as American as everyone else.
I believe in my country.
But I believe that my country can do better.
I refuse to believe that the people who hate that some of us are taking a knee during the National Anthem don't know WHY we're doing it.
They just need to CARE. The kneeling of Kapernick and many others may or may not got results but it has caused many conversations and noone can say what will come of it.
It's always, "It's not the right time!" Well when is it? It doesn't seem to matter in which manner it is done peacefully, someone finds fault in it.
Lastly it was a Veteran that suggested that Kapernick to kneel instead of sitting to show respect to those who served. Nate Boyer, a former Army Green Beret turned NFL long snapper, penned an open letter to Colin in the Army Times.
Sometimes, being a patriot means taking a look at your country and being willing enough, and brave enough to say "We need to do better"
We can't call ourselves the "Land of the Free" if we all aren't equally free.
We can't say "Liberty and Justice For All", if all of us don't experience either liberty OR justice equally.
We have to be willing to have that conversation and recognize where America does indeed fall short of it's promise to ALL of her citizens. And then be willing to take steps to correct those issues.
Patriotism is ALSO about taking the blinders off and realizing that not all Americans had the same experience. Some of us live in a starkly different America than others.
We are no less American than anyone else. But its times like these, when we try to make our voice heard that we are often reminded that in the eyes of many to include not just the occupants of the White House, but also many "normal" folk, that we're still not as American as everyone else.
I believe in my country.
But I believe that my country can do better.
I refuse to believe that the people who hate that some of us are taking a knee during the National Anthem don't know WHY we're doing it.
They just need to CARE. The kneeling of Kapernick and many others may or may not got results but it has caused many conversations and noone can say what will come of it.
It's always, "It's not the right time!" Well when is it? It doesn't seem to matter in which manner it is done peacefully, someone finds fault in it.
Lastly it was a Veteran that suggested that Kapernick to kneel instead of sitting to show respect to those who served. Nate Boyer, a former Army Green Beret turned NFL long snapper, penned an open letter to Colin in the Army Times.