exiled

In school they used to broadcast the Star Spangled Banner on the intercom system everyday and forced us to stand and then give our pledge of allegiance to the flag.

My friends and I sat through both - telling our selves we were protesting the Vietnam war. My older brother was of drafting age... There was much discussion and condemnation about it, the first time... but after a very few times the school just decided to ignore it, saying we had the right to do what we wanted and we did not have to Pledge our Allegiance.

The "controversy" blew over and of course the war went on.

I am a much older now, but still swell with pride knowing that I don't have to stand for the National Anthem. In fact I can't think of anything more UN-American than to be told you MUST stand for the National Anthem.

Reading these 7or so pages of folks saying how people have fought for and died for that flag. I respect the troops, for fighting and dieing for the right NOT to stand for a song, a flag or to take a pledge of Allegiance.

There is police brutality. There is. Period. There is a disproportionate amount of black incarceration. The police brutality may be less than in years past - for we have come a long way baby. I know I was raised in the segregated south. But unlike then, we today we have cell phones and other forms of instant communication that feed us a steady diet of how far we have yet to come.

People are upset about it. And I don't blame them. You should be to.

I stand up for this minor Quarterback and his right to sit down. He is standing up for many that can not stand up for them selves - by sitting down. His action sparked the dialogue that we are having right now.

On an national level, continued dialogue may just help to quell the problem.

True, Muhammad Ali he is not. But that makes it all the more important. and frankly, brave. Ali was a celebrity and risked and lost a great deal for his stand. However, in many ways, being a minor actor on a big stage Kaepernick is risking more.

I truly believe sports is an excellent place for kind of action, and I hope he inspires more athletes to behave similarly. In short, it worked. Sports draws a very diverse audience. And such actions gets us talking about the issues. Most if us have played at least enough of some organized game to learn a little sportsmanship when broaching such topics to be civil.

"it is from the lost, your culture has always been found." - chandler (9th ward new orleans #2)