Cooperative Living November/December 2018 - 6

Mailbag
WRITE US!
LETTER REFLECTS DISTRACTION
FROM PROTEST'S MEANING
The October Mailbag letter, " Kneeling
During Anthem Is a Hurtful Insult, "
illustrates just how out of touch so many
of my fellow Americans are to what is
really going on in America.
Rather than focusing on the more pressing
problem of our democracy being attacked
and undermined by a known enemy of the
United States (Russia), the letter writer and
others are being distracted with someone
taking a knee to voice their concern about the
mistreatment of innocent people in the
black community by police.
As a veteran, married to a veteran, with
two sons and a son-in-law who have also
served their country, we support anyone
taking a knee during the national anthem
as a way to draw attention to the disparity
of justice in the black community. I know
many veterans/active-duty service members
are disgusted when they and the flag are
used as props for jingoistic purposes.
Lastly, people who believe that it is
" disrespectful " to kneel during the national
anthem really need to examine their hearts
and moral compasses. Quietly taking a knee
isn't disrespectful, it is protected under the
First Amendment.
Remember, country over party. Vote like
the future of our country depends on it,
because it does.
- Jenn Coolidge
Via email
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM BELONGS
TO EVERYONE
October's Mailbag letter, " Kneeling
During Anthem Is a Hurtful Insult, "
criticizes NFL players who kneel during
the national anthem, claiming they " might
think it's cool to kneel. " I daresay they do
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4 | Cooperative Living | November-December 2018
not think it's " cool " - they are
calling attention to society's
mistreatment of blacks.
Furthermore, the letter claims
these protests " might as well be
spitting in our veterans' faces. "
While I appreciate as much as
anyone the sacrifices that those
who serve in the Armed Forces
make, I don't think the national anthem is
theirs and theirs alone.
We can debate what the NFL players are
We want to hear from you - comments, opinions,
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TAKING A KNEE IS NOT
CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR
While I enjoy listening to our national
protesting and whether their message and
methods are valid and useful, but I'd hope that
the debate can move beyond ignoring their
purpose. And I'd like to hear the argument
about why the anthem belongs to the military.
- Jim Thomson
Clifton
MANY SEE PLAYERS' KNEELING A
DIFFERENT WAY
Regarding the October Mailbag letter,
" Kneeling During Anthem Is a Hurtful Insult, "
I am truly sorry that anyone regards kneeling
while the national anthem is played at a
football game as a " hurtful insult " but I, and
many others, see it in quite another way.
It is glorious to live in a country where
people can quietly and respectfully protest an
outrage and so bring it to the attention of those
who may have been blind to it. The alternative
is marching and shouting threats as was
done just a year ago in Charlottesville.
Peaceful protesters are following the
example of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin
Luther King. Rather than denigrating those
who have fought and died for this country
- many of whom, of course, were also
African-American - those players are
celebrating them and what they fought for.
- Alice Bagwill
Lovettsville
anthem in the standing position, I could
care less what other folks are doing with
themselves while they listen to it - as long
as it doesn't physically impose a restriction
on my ability to enjoy it.
While some folks do choose to take a
knee while the anthem is being played, it is
not a physical imposition on my own
freedom to express my patriotism, nor is it
akin to spitting in another's face as the
October Mailbag letter, " Kneeling During
Anthem Is a Hurtful Insult, " asserts.
Actually spitting in someone's face (at any
time) could be considered criminal assault
or battery and subject to serious legal
consequence. I doubt taking a knee during
the playing of the anthem comes anywhere
close to criminal behavior, and hope it
never does!
I also take exception to the letter's
inference that the national anthem is
played for the benefit (or by virtue) of our
current military members and/or veterans.
My understanding is that is played for the
benefit of all Americans, even those who
simply pay taxes that allow our military to
exist in the first place.
A simple bit of advice to cure anyone of
feeling hurt by watching someone take a
knee during the playing of our national
anthem: Don't watch. The anthem can be
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Cooperative Living November/December 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cooperative Living November/December 2018
