So Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49er quarterback, is boycotting the National Anthem.
So what?
Now before you start hurling insults my way about being unpatriotic, let me explain.
I think most of you would agree that he certainly has the right to express this opinion, even if it is unpopular. I would almost say his action is admirable if it weren't so misguided, even idiotic, because of its lack in popularity with the general public. It does take courage to do what he's doing. Of course, someone in his position also typically enjoys the spotlight. Making a statement like this could easily be more than a simple testament of personal conviction. So putting himself out there may not be as huge a leap of bravery as it would be for those of us who would receive no support from a liberal media for doing the same thing at our places of work or public gatherings.
Still, unlike those with foundational political and principle differences than us (if you are akin to me in these areas), we can't fight for free speech and individual liberties and deny Kaepernick his rights. A standard operating procedure of progressives is to preach tolerance while vilifying anyone who expresses beliefs in opposition to theirs and to demand justice when they really want an upper hand given to their positions. No - we can't choose our battles here. If we allow a person to refuse to bake a cake for an event that goes against his or her religious beliefs, we must also allow a person to peacefully protest a patriotic ceremonial gesture if that person feels so inclined.
One of the most memorable moments from the Rio Summer Olympics was when U.S. divers David Boudia and Steele Johnson gave all the glory to God in an NBC interview after their silver medal-winning performance. I'm not easily impressed by statements of the sort. But this one seemed heartfelt and legitimate. I support it to the extreme. So, I must also support the voice of an NFL celebrity, no matter how far astray I feel the speaker has wandered from reality.
Honestly, do you really want Colin Kaepernick to fake it if he doesn't believe it. Personally, I prefer seeing those who are clueless, misinformed, and even tone deaf to our situation, so I can adjust my expectations and proceeding actions. Reveal your stupidity! Expose your lack of knowledge!
Here's the problem: Kaepernick's jersey became the NFL's top seller recently. So, for every video of people burning his jersey in effigy, there are multiple purchases. Really? I knew America was becoming unrecognizable at an alarming exponential rate, but we've finally reached the ludicrous level. Nothing should surprise me, I guess, after we've given ourselves the choices we currently have for our nation's highest office. I think I'm still trying to wrap my head around that, though.
Dr. Wendell Estep, pastor of First Baptist Church in Columbia, SC made a good point on this matter when he said we now have abandoned our hero for the antihero (his message will be online here soon). Our culture is so completely unaware of what's really happening, unwilling to search for the truth, we take a biased media's spewing of agenda-driving misdirection and flat out lies as fact. A disregard of actuality and motivation lead to a misinformed public. And then we get sincere, yet misguided, actions and reactions that perpetuate harmful myths. Cycle the lies, they become perceived truths, and the chipping away of morality and integrity continues. From this rises the antihero (or worse).
It would be one thing if the spike in Kaepernick jersey sales was due to a celebration of free speech. We know that is not the case, however. So, now we have an NFL player, whose name was in virtually no conversations involving the new season, who has now been given a new path to fame, an idol to a movement responsible for the killing of first responders.
So, my fellow patriots, the problem does not rest with the messenger, but rather with those with an ulterior motive that generate the message with incivility and hate and the ill-prepared receivers who unwittingly embrace it.
In an ideal world, the 49ers ticket sales would plummet to nothing, hitting the franchise where it matters. Talk about taking a stand! That is not going to happen, though. So, let's ignore Kaepernick the player. Instead, let's focus on where the problem really resides - yes, in D.C. and Hollywood - but most importantly, in the hearts and minds of the people living in our nation.
Return to decency, honesty, faith, and personal responsibility. These started us on the road to a humble greatness. They can put us back there again. No news reporter, MTV music award-winner, power-hungry politician, or NFL quarterback can do it for us. No - this must come from a returned focus on our Creator and his son - a true hero to worship.
