Those who want to ‘Take A Knee’, first read this
I read a wonderful poem written by Stanislaus Drew and first published in the Christian Index news site. It is centered on the people who feel the need to kneel or raise their fist in defiance during the playing of our National Anthem.
I understand people have issues with our great country, no country or person is or has been perfect. Because you have issues with the United States does not mean you should disrespect our country. We all have issues with our husbands, wives and significant others because once again none of us our perfect. Does that mean you should disrespect them? Disrespect your loved ones because they are not perfect and see where that gets you.
Colin Kaepernick, once a Quarterback for the San Francisco 49er's in the NFL, told Steve Wyche, a NFL media reporter, back in 2016 that he kneels for the following reason:
I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color...To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder
People today attempt to say that he was not and they are not protesting the United States, well it is pretty clear from his above statement that he was and those supporting him by taking a knee certainly are.
A listener sent me the following poem that could not express the feelings many of us that are against kneeling during the National Anthems have. Please enjoy and maybe this will allow those who think it is not a big deal to kneel during the National Anthem understand where many in the country are coming from.
TAKE A KNEE?
September 28, 2017 By Stanislaus “Stan” Drew
Take a little trip to Valley Forge in January. If you don’t know where that is, just Google it from the sidelines. Hold a musket ball in your fingers and imagine it piercing your flesh and breaking a bone or two. There won’t be a doctor or trainer to assist you until after the battle, so just wait your turn. Take your cleats and socks off to get a real experience. Then take a knee.
Then, take one at the beach in Normandy where man after American man stormed the beach, even as the one in front of him was shot to pieces … the very sea stained with American blood. The only blockers most had were the dead bodies in front of them, riddled with bullets from enemy fire.
Take a knee in the sweat soaked jungles of Vietnam. From Khe San to Saigon … anywhere will do. Americans died in all those jungles. There was no playbook that told them what was next, but they knew what flag they represented. When they came home, they were protested as well … and spit on for reasons only cowards know.
Take another knee in the blood drenched sands of Fallujah in 110 degree heat. Wear your Kevlar helmet and battle dress … your number won’t be printed on it unless your number is up! You’ll need to stay hydrated but there won’t be anyone to squirt Gatorade into your mouth. You’re on your own.
There’s a lot of places to take a knee. Americans have given their lives all over the world. When you use the banner under which they fought as a source for your displeasure, you dishonor the memories of those who bled for the very freedoms you have. That’s what the red stripes mean. It represents the blood of those who spilled a sea of it defending your liberty.
While you’re on your knee, pray for those that came before you, not on a manicured lawn striped and printed with numbers to announce every inch of ground taken … but on nameless hills and bloodied beaches and sweltering forests and bitter, cold mountains … every inch marked by an American life lost serving that flag you protest.
No cheerleaders, no announcers, no coaches, no fans … just American men and women … delivering the real fight against those who chose to harm us … blazing a path so you would have the right to “take a knee.”
You haven’t an inkling what it took to get you where you are … but your “protest” is duly noted. Not only is it disgraceful to a nation of real heroes, it serves the purpose of pointing to your ingratitude for those who chose to defend you under that banner that will still wave long after your jersey is retired.
If you really feel the need to take a knee, come with me to church on Sunday and we’ll both kneel before Almighty God. We’ll thank him for preserving this country for as long as He has. We’ll beg forgiveness for our ingratitude for all He has provided us. We’ll appeal to Him for understanding and wisdom. We’ll pray for liberty and justice for all … because He is the one who provides those things.
But there will be no protest. There will only be gratitude for His provision and a plea for His continued grace and mercy on the land of the free and the home of the brave. It goes like this…
GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Stanislaus “Stan” Drew originally wrote this post last year – when he was a member of Palm Springs Baptist Church in Palm Springs, FL – after San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick first began his protests during the National Anthem. Stan currently lives in Crescent City, FL.
Knowing what was written above now let us see you kneel or raise your fist in defiance during the playing of the National Anthem.
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