In 2017, NFL Colin Kaepernick refused to stand during the pre-game playing of our National Anthem. Instead, he dropped to one knew in protest. Within weeks hundreds of other NFL players--the majority being African American--followed suit and also took to their knees during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner. The reasons given for these protests were police brutality and oppression of black people in the United States. We may look back on these protests as a pivotal era in American history.
For over a century, the playing of our National Anthem signified our coming together, a diverse group of people putting our differences aside in support of the principles that comprise the social and political values of the US. The song symbolized our love and pride of country. It represented the honor and respect felt for those who sacrificed their lives in defense of our nation. Our ancestors may have originated from vastly diverse parts of the globe, and skin color and physical stature may differ greatly, but with the waving of the flag and the playing of the Star Spangled Banner, we become one homogenous, unified culture, sharing and celebrating mutual values. That tradition appears to be a dying one.
The National Anthem controversy may spell the beginning of an ever-widening gap between the white and black cultures and their values. Whereas the white culture regards the flag and Anthem with reverence and respect, growing numbers in the black culture regards them as a symbol of repression. Coupled with that attitude is a growing disregard within the black community for our Founding Fathers and the Constitution. Many blacks regard Founding Fathers, like Jefferson , Washington, Franklin, Madison, etc., has old white slave owners, and hold these men in contempt, while disregarding their writings, which have shaped an entire nation with the concept of individual liberty.
The danger is that the newest generation of blacks will grow up viewing the NFL protesters as heroes and role models. It is very likely that in the decades ahead, we will witness a splintering within our population. One culture will disregard and hold in contempt the ideals represented by the flag, Anthem and Constitution; the other culture will continue to hold those ideals as the embodiment of
human freedom.
Our future may see an ever widening rend in the fabric that unites and protects our country. A tear that cannot be mended, and that may not stop until it is torn in two, forever severing and shredding our bonds as a free and united culture.
