What Do You Think Of Colin Kaepernick's Protest?

You cannot live in a democracy without protest.  The right to protest is one of the things that makes our form of government different that dictatorships or socialism.  We have the right to protest.  Many view Colin Kaepernick's recent protest as unpatriotic.  He says he is protesting the many deaths of black citizens at the hands of the police.  He has the right to do this.  He also puts his money where his mouth is, giving large sums of money to organizations that are trying to prevent police shootings.

I remember when some American athletes gave the black power salute in Mexico City during the Olympics many years ago.  That was quite different, and in my opinion disrespectful and inappropriate.  Colin is trying to make a statement without hurting anyone, in a peaceful way.  He has the right to do this, and perhaps it will light a fire in others to try to initiate change in the way blacks are treated by some police.  Many years ago while I was teaching, I had a Jehovah's Witness in my class.  They do not salute the flag.  I discussed this with her parents, and we decided that she would stand, but not salute the flag.  This was a teachable moment for my third graders.  They learned that in a democracy, one has the right to do or not do something, as long as they are not hurting others.  It was a good lesson for them all.

Here's one funny story I must tell you.  Many years ago, Ron was going to the horse races at Santa Anita.  He was in the parking lot, and running to get to the track for the first race.  Then the national anthem started to play, as it does everyday before the first race.  Ron was running to get to the track, and a man stopped him and said, "Don't you stop for the national anthem, don't you have any respect?"  Ron said, "The great thing about America is that I don't have to stop if I don't want to!"