Recently in the U.S an NBA athlete created some waves throughout the country via the media and youtube. Who that basketball player is, is kind of a moot point so I am not going to make this about him as an individual.
While at a charity function some one with a cell phone was taking a video of this player. The controversial part was basically this. While he was making comments on camera, the Star Bangled Banner was playing in the background. As part of his quotes he acknowledges the fact that the United States National Anthem is playing at that moment and says "'The Star Spangled Banner' is going on right now. I don't even celebrate that (expletive). I'm black."
Right out of the gate let's not obsess on your reaction to the details of his comments at the moment. Which for people reading this from foriegn soil, that won't be as hard to do. There in lies the focus of this article. Why does this stir an emotional reaction in the first place? A large sector of America was offended by these remarks because they see the flag as some kind of mystical holy cloth. Of course some of that is because of the reverence citizens of all nations are taught to have for their flag and nation. People logically then were spouting off how un-patriotic this is and how unappreciative he is toward his country and the people who fought for freedom.
Now here is where things get dicey for me. Granted I have never lived anywhere else so I don't know to what, or if to any degree the freedom to voice an opinion, be it popular or not, controversial or not, is allegedly treasured. But here in the States we supposedly pride ourselves on freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Excluding yelling fire in a movie theatre type of scenario, here in America we vehemently proclaim that people have died for such freedoms.
So how come when someone exercises that freedom the flag waiving zealots are the first to yell "you're not an American!"? When in fact voicing your thoughts is the so-called American Way. Because you find those remarks offensive you get the authority or responsibility to decide which type of remarks are anti- American or un-patriotic?
By definition a patriot is simply one who loves his country and has a willingness to sacrifice for it.
Somehow I don't see where being a blind loyalist means you are patriotic. And having any negative thoughts or statements mean you have turned your back on your country. That is absurd.
First of all the notion of putting a country above things like family, humanity, global peace and quality of life is totally illogical and backwards.
It's implied by his remarks that his objection or refusal to celebrate the Star Bangled Banner also has a personal connection to him being a black man. So this leads to basically two logical reactions. 1) Excluding the hate mongering bigots who are interwoven through every facet of society, he recognizes and/or has experienced first hand the hypocrisy of the all men were created equal concept. Oh just a "silly phrase" in the Declaration of Independence by the way! or 2) The man is a racist himself and sees America as a white mans club.
However regardless of his feelings and political views, the point is he should be able to state this without being called un-American. Because the fact is in America he is supposed to have that choice. Now it goes without saying that anyone who wishes, can voice there displeasure or call him out on his statements. And his employers could decide his remarks cast their company in a bad light and they can dismiss him or admonish him. But to say it is unappreciative of his country is ludicrous. In fact that assertion is unappreciative of the freedoms afforded citizens of this country.
Also let's face it a percentage of the people were offended are really masking their hate for the fact he is black. The others who have declared themselves the "patriotic police" have to ask themselves "who am I to decide who loves their country and who doesn't?" Who says this man is willing to stand up for it? Fact is only he knows that.
Why do we care so much about words anyway? What kind of neighbor do you want? A man who says what you want to hear while he is stabbing you in the back or an opinionated man who treats does kind acts for people? A man who is angry over corruption but does his best or the man who places a flag on his porch but steals from the government by cheating on his taxes? The man who takes exception to prejudice or the man who disregards the laws of the land? Do you want a law abiding and moral citizen as your neighbor or a self proclaimed patriot who would slit your throat to get ahead?
Also in this conversation the "patriot" police envoke the service of the men and women who risk their life in war. But they don't give a rats "you know what" about the tens of thousands of men and women who have come back limbless, mentally damaged, or internally sick who get sent home and welcomed with some of the most appalling neglect ever known to man. People are quick to point out the serious lack of humane treatment in China, for example, but turn a blind eye to the hell - hole hospitals some of the injured and sick military people have been sent to. They use the courageous boys and girls in Iraq or Afghanistan to proclaim their patriotism and yet they don't care that the United States has borrowed $600,000,000 to over a TRILLION dollars from China to put their blood on the line. I guess all those yellow ribbons on the back of their cars aren't making enough profits to pay for the wars. They stomp their feet and yell "we have to win this war" while in the mean time Billions of people starve to death. 12% of the US population is starving!
They are deathly silent when the government bends its citizens over and tells them that it's going to feel good. But when a spoiled rich athlete makes a disparaging remark about the National Anthem or the flag, people come out of the woodworks screaming "string up that thankless black boy!"
And before any of you assault me with comments of how un-American I am for writing this, just remember I am a law abiding citizen who contributes to actual people and not some idealistic fantasy and farce. I see myself as part of the entire human race and not some elitist society that knows better than every else. If words spoken are the only thing that gets your attention, then that explains why the world is a mess.
