To Support & Defend....

I’ve tried to avoid taking a political position as I write figuring we have enough of that to go around for all of us but in the past week I was challenged on my position of taking a knee during the National Anthem and questioned why it’s “Black Lives Matter” and not “All Lives Matter.”

My perspective on these matters have not changed over the years. I was chosen to serve in the military at a time of social unrest and protests against a war many didn’t want or support. Yes, it was the late 60s. It was a time when young men were called upon to serve their country for a war many of us didn’t understood or believed in. We also were experiencing a Civil Rights movement, Martin Luther King’s assassination followed by Robert Kennedy being killed in Los Angeles while campaigning for president. There were protests in the streets of America and a president involved in illegal political activities for the purpose of winning re-election. Sadly much of this sounds too familiar.

The day I took the oath to serve our country I remember the first line of that oath, “I do solemnly swear that I will defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic….” It is in those words I have formed many of my personal and political beliefs.

So how do I feel about athletes taking a knee during the National Anthem? If I believe in the Constitution and the First Amendment how could I be against those choosing to take a knee for a specific reason or cause. Not that would be my choice but the “First Amendment guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly and the right to petition.…” Using the 60s as a reference I recall protestors burning the US Flag in an effort to support their position against the Vietnam War. Yes, they had the right to do it, but it’s not something I supported or agreed with, but it was their right of “expression.” Draft Cards were also burned in protest as well. Those doing that were not prosecuted even though it is against the law.

The Civil Rights movement of the 60s, led by Martin Luther King could have misconstrued as only wanting justice for a few people when in fact King fought for the rights and freedom for all people, “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal.*”

I cringe at those that choose specific examples to make a point for whatever it is they believe. Those that say taking a knee is being disrespectful to our flag even though we have the right to do so are avoiding protestor's rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. Today’s protestors are not against the flag, the constitution or the country they are expressing their opinion about police brutality. Yes, it is their right of “expression.”

I have very little life experience with discrimination but by growing up being Catholic with and Italian last night I’ve taken my share of cheap shots as has my family. Despite this I have faith things will get better and that my grandkids will only be of Italian American dissent but more importantly that they are Americans.

To my friends, I respect your right of “expression” and your right to your opinions but I ask that you try not to convince me you’re right and I’m not.

* www.history.com/topics/civil-rights-movement/i-have-a-dream-speech