“You Don’t Deserve Your Seat”
April 6, 2018
If you’re disgraceful like 23% of the NFL players, and countless other Americans, you either sit or support sitting during the Pledge of Allegiance or National Anthem.
Not only are you disrespecting our country, but our veterans as well.
“We lined ‘em up and shot ‘em. Every day. And I’d do it again for this country, and I’d do it again if it would fix the way things were now.” Those are the exact words my grandfather told me when he finally opened up after decades of his service in Vietnam.
I don’t care what your excuse is: When you sit or take a knee my grandfather is personally attacked by your actions. But, here are probably the best excuses you can come up for not saying the pledge while sitting on your backside.
Excuse One:
“But, the Pledge doesn’t apply to me. It was written over a hundred years ago, and it was mainly for white men!”
If you believe this still, where have you been over the past few decades? Whether you’re black, white, atheist, Christian, gay, straight, male, female, transgender, or non-conforming, we have passed so many laws and acts so that you can be included in this country.
We have taught our children different views than we might have grown up believing. Times change, and with that so do people. So, maybe you should become a part of that change and realize the Pledge unites us. All of us. Otherwise, you’re seen as being just as selfish as a spoiled kid who was offered a slice of cake instead of a gumdrop because he didn’t get to choose what he wanted.
Excuse Two:
“There is too many police brutality and other racist acts for me to believe that Pledge.”
Have you TRIED to make a difference?
“Yeah, sitting down gets out my voice.” True, but it just gets lost in a sea of other different voices.
If what you want is change, why don’t you BE the change? If you believe there is too much police brutality then join the forces?
According to the FBI, “The rate of sworn officers was 2.4 per 1,000 inhabitants in the nation in 2011.” Increase that number of people sworn in, if your intentions are good, then not only will you help end police brutality and bring faith in our police back, but there will be more people upholding the law, and keeping others safe.
Before you take a knee and look at the ground, or sit down and gawk at those “foolish enough” to support something that doesn’t mean anything to you, take a good look at the history of America, and think: we live in an amazing country.
— Anna Lynn Fryer
Get off that chair and do something with your life. Our veterans sure did, and the only reason your ass is here is all thanks to them.
Excuse Three:
“You’re just upset because your grandfather was a soldier. None of my family has gone into the service, so no one has done anything for me.”
That is such a lie that even the Devil would be ashamed of you. Yes, this subject does hit me more personally than others, but for good reason.
My grandfather, and countless other people who have gone into the service, not just for their families, but for other families, for America, and for America’s future. Yet, you thank them with your horrific behavior and self-centered beliefs.
If veterans never fought for the future of the country, we wouldn’t be where we are today. They fight for the future, and for you to shape the future.
Before you take a knee and look at the ground, or sit down and gawk at those “foolish enough” to support something that doesn’t mean anything to you, take a good look at the history of America, and think: we live in an amazing country.
Yet, you make it seem as if America is something you’d write on a dunce cap. Have you ever thought, maybe you’re the one wearing the cap?
Kenobi • Apr 16, 2018 at 11:50 am
This is SO RIGHT
Jamal Hicks • Apr 10, 2018 at 11:45 pm
I think the author here just got wrecked.
Asher Christine • Apr 9, 2018 at 6:20 pm
I’m not really agreeing or disagreeing with your outlook here, however to say that all of these players are disgraceful is not necessary or true. You may disagree with their decisions, but you should respect their reasoning. For example, Colin Kaepernick, arguably the nucleus of this kneeling controversy, consulted former Green Beret and NFL player Nate Boyer about how to get his point across without showing the disrespect to the fallen soldiers. Boyer told Kaepernick that kneeling is a form of respect and soldiers will do it for fallen comrades. Also, not standing for the National Anthem is a legal form of protest which is a first amendment right. These athletes aren’t kneeling just to “stick it” to the USA. They’re doing this because as professional athletes, on a national platform, they have a lot of attention. So when a national figure such as an NFL player refuses to stand for the national anthem, they are being the voice for many Americans who don’t have the platforms to be seen or heard. These actions shock people into paying attention and generate conversation. I personally will stand for the anthem and the pledge, but you cannot aggressively call these people disgraceful without fully understanding their rationale that they’re protesting social injustice, not trying to disrespect America. If you’re going to say “Take a good look at the history of America, and think: we live in an amazing country”, then I will. America is a amazing country. A country that was built off of protests and movements. Dating back to the Boston Tea Party all the way to Women’s suffrage and the Civil Rights. You say the American government has taken the steps to make this country more inclusive. Yes, they have, but not without having the matter thrown into their laps by a person or group of people bringing attention to the matter first. The great Martin Luther King Jr. spoke up and forced America to take action. Susan B. Anthony, one of many Women’s Rights trailblazers, spoke up and took action until there was change as well. So now you may ask: “Well what has Colin Kaepernick done for his cause aside from kneel?” Actually a lot, he’s pledged to donate over a million dollars to charitable organizations that relate to his cause. If you’d like specifics feel free to visit his website http://www.kaeperick7.org . So to say that they have done nothing is also not necessarily true either. Like I said I’m not agreeing or disagreeing with your thoughts on standing for the anthem and I’m sure your grandfather is an amazing man. I personally will stand for the anthem and pledge of allegiance too. But to aggressively insult these people standing up for what they believe in with outlandish words such as disgraceful and foolish because they’re trying to make the change they want to see just goes against the values that built this great country in the first place.
RaShawn Hicks • Apr 9, 2018 at 2:51 pm
This looks written from a cry-baby. It’s complete bias. First thing. The 23% of NFL, (12%. 3 teams didn’t come out of the locker room which was what they did back in the day), that didn’t stand was for the problems in America. Problems like racism and police brutality. It started because of Colin Kaepernick started a peaceful protest. Freedom of choice? What is wrong with black male, (yes, he’s black), doing something against police brutality? You stated that if you have a problem with it the do something? He was the change he wanted to see. Your grandfather risked his life so Colin can do what he does. He gave up everything to do what he thought was going to change the US. That is selfless over selfish. Even Obama deafened Kaepernick. As of 2:43pm on 04-09-18, 294 people died because of police officers. in 2015 they accounted for 26% of those that were killed by police, in 2016, 24%, and in 2017, 22% of all those killed by police. Kaepernick knelt in 2016 and since then 223 blacks died from police. Numbers are dropping. He’s the change.
Kolby Cowher • Apr 9, 2018 at 9:44 am
I would never sit or take a knee during the pledge/national anthem, but I would like to point out that our military fights for that very same freedom that allows people to do so. As disrespectful as you may look at it, how free is America if we are forcing people to stand?