Volume 4, Issue 37
San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick has evoked controversy by refusing to stand during the national anthem in an act of protest. It is his right to do so. However, in these times, he is further irritating the raw political nerve of America by casting a greater cloak of dissension in confronting the very image of America, “The Star Spangled Banner.” Unlike Martin Luther King, Jr., who stood against segregation and called out America to embrace its better self, Kaepernick, by his actions, has brought into question the very essence of the purity of America’s soul. He may have meant to bring attention to what he perceives as uncured, ongoing injustice. But coupled with Hillary’s comment about “deplorables,” there is now this ill wind building that America is just two societies living in the same land without common goals, common purpose, common objectives, or a common sense of equal freedom for all. Such protests imply that true freedom in America is only a dream for the privileged and a nightmare for others.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
The memorial remembrances, held across America on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack on our sovereign nation, are exemplary in personifying that America itself is good. The first responders who were honored at AT&T Stadium in Dallas were revered, celebrated, and thanked by everyone in attendance. This adulation was not just for their bravery, self-sacrifice and commitment. Gratitude was generated from an understanding that these civil servants responded to the need of Americans as every American seeks to respond in their hearts to each other. The day was a reminder and a recognition that America stands for eternal principles. And in this sentiment America is unique in the world and first in history.
The Constitution of the United States defends and protects individual liberty of rule of law, due process, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and fairness for all citizens. Has it been a work in progress? Yes. But the United States of America is the only country on the planet dedicated to the proposition that birth is not destiny and governments are here to serve the people. Individual liberty is paramount over government rights. Other countries address these principles, but no other country depends upon them for its lifeblood.
The embodiment of these principles is represented by the flag. I refuse to believe that America at her core is not good. I refuse to believe that there are two societies in direct conflict with each other over the definition of fairness and righteousness. I refuse to believe that there is not a greater purpose to be pursued as a cause greater than ourselves. Burning the flag, desecrating the flag, disrespecting the flag or the National Anthem leaves the impression that America in its purpose and principles is flawed. Martin Luther King never lost hope in the dream of a united America. The gross generalization of Hillary Clinton’s words and Colin Kaepernick’s action ignores the injustice they detest at the expense of America’s core principles. Protesting injustice is meritable. Denying principles that unite us is destructive. And demeaning our fellow citizens’ beliefs is beyond arrogant, it is intellectual bigotry.
In all the conflicts, injustices, and persecutions in the world today, the last great harbor of safety for righteousness is the United States of America. America represents principles based upon the affirmation that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Freedom and righteousness are cut from the same cloth, one cannot survive without the other. In one’s search for respect, understanding the basis for America’s existence is critical in the search and therefore in our respect for ourselves and in our respect for the uniting principles of our country.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?