United We Stand?

I have been quiet lately. I haven't said anything about the football players who didn't stand for the National Anthem. And it isn't because I haven't heard about it. I may not watch football, but Facebook is filled with outrage and opinion as if somehow our country is going to fall apart because a few young men didn't follow our patriotic ritual.

Have you ever seen the videos of North Korean children, all singing in unison about how their country is the best, and how they love their father-leader? It is a scary sight. What is most frightening is that they do not have a choice. They are required to sing those songs and march in perfect unison.

We Americans were taught to stand and put our hand over our heart, and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. We were also taught to stand when the Anthem was being played at our High School football games. I believe respect is a good thing. I also believe it is good to feel loyal to this great country.

Respect. Loyalty. These are attributes that should be taught and exampled, not laws to be enforced. Respect is earned. Loyalty born in a heart that feels safe.

There are people who love this country, but have a very different perspective than my privileged white one. People who do not feel "safe". People who feel they are being treated unfairly by certain citizens of law enforcement. No, let's just admit that they ARE being treated unfairly. Murder is very unfair. Being shot is not fair at all. Being seen as guilty or dangerous just because of the color of your skin is nothing but unfair.

We are outraged by the violent protests chanting "Black Lives Matter" yet these few who choose to protest in a quiet and non-violent manner still outrage us. Does it cause us to feel just a little uncomfortable in our white skin?

If this section of our populous is fed up, and wants to make a statement against these atrocities by kneeling during the Anthem, they have every right to do so.
(Yes and we have every right to go after them for it, with our holier than thou Facebook rants and twitter tweets defending this great country. As if America is offended by their lack of compliance to her tradition, and our servicemen cry over these protests.)

We might make this country we love so much even greater by noticing their protest...by empathizing with their pain, and listening to their cries for freedom and liberty for all.

We have allowed our outrage at people who don't follow the proper protocol to cloud the real issue. If there are some who feel threatened and unsafe among us, then why are we still singing? 

Why aren't we all kneeling in humility, crying with them, and asking their forgiveness for the atrocities they're experiencing?

America, what are we standing for?