The Heart of the Matter: Standing or Kneeling for What You Believe
It is a valid question. Trevor Noah may have said it with humor but it is a valid question. Not only for Number 45 but for all those who feel up in arms about the recent #TakeAKnee. The problem is, like most other things when people of color stand up, or in this case, kneel down in protest, it is a sign of disrespect and dishonor to the great service men and women who have served this country; many having given their lives. However, in that right there, lies a serious problem when it comes to protesting racial disparity, social injustice, the right for equality on all levels, for all people. The focus gets lost in rhetoric and people feeling affronted because of supposed disrespect to an anthem or pledge of allegiance. It was not about the anthem but about pointing out a glaring fact that the said anthem is overlooked, disrespected, and violated every day in America each time another man, woman, or child of color is brutally killed, treated egregiously, suffers constant injustices, denied equality, ridiculed and called out, separated and alienated, and disrespected solely for the color of their skin. Where is the purported “One” nation…justice for all…sweet land of liberty, for the blood that stains the streets of those men and women and children of color whose lives were stolen and still not give justice, even in death, when no one is held accountable or responsible? Especially when it comes from those who wear a badge and swear to serve and protect ALL? Or a judge who claims to be impartial and upholds that justice is blind, not seeing race, creed, or color? Yeah — point out those facts to me once you have lived in a body of colored skin!
According to some political pundits, some Republicans, a few outraged Americans, number 45, and Fox News, I (All People of Color; especially those million dollar making athletes) should feel privileged to be in America (Note: to be IN America, not AN American — according to many we should go back to Africa or wherever else people of color come from!) but turn a blind eye to blatant racism and disregard for the lives of people of color? So, I should be grateful if I’m “allowed” to make millions of dollars (because you “let” me) but forget that it doesn’t guarantee my safety from being pulled over for driving while Black or driving a car that seems too expensive for me, or walking or jogging in a neighborhood that seems above my status, or shopping in a store that is above my apparent means; all because of the color of my skin? Should I be grateful and not protest at all? Oh, wait…we can serve this country, protect this country, die for this country, but receive no respect in this country; be looked down upon, have the same attributes, say the same things, fight for the same rights as my caucasian counterpart, yet, when I say it or do it, I am being loud, angry, disruptive, out of place, and disrespectful? And, oh wait! Do not know my place? Why? Because I am Black and should maintain a posture of gratitude for living — Oh wait! Being ALLOWED to live (let’s get that straight!) — in a nation that tells me in both overt and subliminal messages that I am not equal, measure up to, have the same rights and privileges, and freedoms as my Caucasian counterparts? Really?
So, it really doesn’t matter where or how I protest…it will always be wrong. It doesn’t matter if it is quietly kneeling during the anthem, walking peacefully down a street holding a sign, or laying down occupying a street or mall…it is all wrong because I am not showing gratitude for being ALLOWED to live in this great nation that states: Liberty and Justice for all; except if you’re a person of color and forget your place and dare to open your mouth against a system that systematically perpetuates slavery, poverty, and the continued disregard for human life based upon skin color. Because it doesn’t matter what your socioeconomic status is: Whether a millionaire or a person below the poverty line — it doesn’t matter when it comes to racism and hate — you have the absolute right to be killed at any moment for the color and hue of your skin, to not open your mouth, to shut your mouth, to stand up, sit down, to kneel down, lay down, to raise your voice, raise your fist. If you do, however, just know — it may very well become about ungratefulness, disrespect for a great nation. Not about racism, not a Black and White equality thing, and definitely not about civil and social injustices. No…not any of that!
©2017. Ruthe McDonald.
