I stand for the national anthem, I always have. That being said, I also support Nike and the decision they made. This is not about symbols, it is about democracy and a country which has always stood for equality for all. “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” This is the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence.
Those of you who know me well know that I was married to a career Air Force man. He came to this country under asylum because to stay where he was could mean death. He became a citizen and served 23 years in service to this country. He lost the use of one eye in that service.
When my oldest son was born, he was serving in Vietnam. The Agent Orange he was exposed to probably contributed to his premature death to cancer. I also lost a family member to that war. When the troops came home from that war, they were not treated as heroes. There was no fanfare, people spit on them , flags were burned and demonstrations were constantly going on. The country was divided and times were turbulent.
When my children were growing up, we experienced discrimination up close and personal because of their father’s heritage. At one time, we had to evacuate our home because of a bomb threat. Hate and discrimination are ugly.
The men and women who fight and die for this country do it to insure your freedom. They fight for your right to disagree with each other, to demonstrate for justice and for you to enjoy the benefits of living in a free society. They don’t fight for a symbol, they fight for the democracy it stands for.
As I watch this great nation being torn apart by hate, violence, lack of compassion and empathy and a total breakdown of our heritage, I am saddened.
When I see religious leaders and Christians use God to further an agenda which is foreign to everything Jesus taught, I am saddened.
When I see people leaving churches because they no longer recognize it as a place of love, I am saddened.
When I see people of color being treated different than their white brothers and sisters, I am saddened.
When I see people torn apart by an angry person with a gun. I am saddened.
When I see inequality in the justice system based on a person’s wallet, I am saddened.
When I see families struggling to make ends meet because wages are too low and big businesses and CEO’s lining their pockets, I am saddened.
When I see elections and politicians being bought by big money donors. I am saddened,
When I see children ripped from their parents to further political rhetoric, I am saddened.
This country has always been a beacon of hope for people around the world. Now our image is tarnished and we send a message of arrogance, selfish interests and of stealing children from their parents causing lasting harm.
We tear one another apart on social media, end friendships, stop talking to family members because we love our politics more than we love others. We have become a nation full of rage, anger and hardened hearts. We gobble up untruths and freely share them because we are to lazy or to arrogant or to stupid to search out the truth. We make up funny pictures and hateful sayings to further our point of view. We have become like spoiled, hateful little children who always have to have their way. We care little for others as long as we are making money and doing well. We have fallen far.
So, I stand with a players right to kneel.
I stand for the immigrant fleeing violence who is searching for compassion and the welcoming arms of safety.
I stand with dreamers who came here as children and only know this country as home.
I stand against discrimination of any kind which is aimed at people who look different, dress different, worship different, live a life style different than mine and who disagree with me.
I stand for preserving the environment and cherish the open spaces and untouched areas of our planet.
I stand for compassion for all animal, for humane treatment of farm animals and for justice for the ones who have suffered at the hand of man.
I cannot support anyone who expounds hate and violence or incites anger. We need leadership which brings us together, who build all citizens up and who care about what people feel and believe. We are Americans, all of us and it is time to lay down the war of words and start trying to understand one another. Truth, justice, mercy, honesty and integrity matter.
Matthew 22:37-39 And Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is. the first and greatest commandment, and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself.”
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