Real Life Real Faith Men of Faith September Issue | Page 32

Oftentimes, the privilege who take a hardline verbal stance or keyboard warrior standpoint
against the actions of People of Color who take a position, are also the same ones who have
nothing to say everytime we see another Black man murdered by the police, or they think it
justified. The star Spangle Banner has lyrics of violence and war. I’d love to see it changed to the
playing of the song America, a song of promise, as Ray Charles sung in his form of protest…and
most don’t know that.
I’m proud of Colin Kaepernick and I’m proud that the majority of people of Color are supporting
him. One of the reasons people of color offer support is we see that the privileged speak so ill of
his rights, instead wanting him to act submissive. I have in turn asked the privileged do they even
know what he is protesting?Nearly all don’t know, and for sure they have little or no depth of the
issues that have led Mr. Kaepernick to respond in the manner that he has. And that there is where
most people of color will tell you a thing or two, and often a lot more.This is about an awaken or
a resurgence of the Black athlete, and entertainers who will speak up and show their true
color…I stand with them or will sit down with them.
Think of this if you will ...there are those who take their 2nd Amendment rights and stand in
front of a Black home(s), and black businesses while posing in threatening manners. They will
come to a Black gathering to show their white privilege solidarity with their rights to bear arms
that have been well-fought for by Black Americans and all soldiers that have died for their rights.
In my piece, I wrote asking about the knowledge of Jackie Robinson and his army days, who
many don't know he was brought up on court-martial charges and why, and many don't know
about Black soldiers that were told to go to war or go to jail during the Vietnam war. For which
Ali said…No, I won’t go kill other brown people for this country, and I can’t get peace and
respect right here in my own country.
Yet try, as we do, to get white privilege to understand all Americans rights. My First
Amendment rights are just as important and fought for in wars abroad and at home. Well, we
have been seeing and reading White Privilege doesn’t give a damn as they disrespect us, even
more now since many of us has chosen to support our brother who took a seat. Our First
Amendment rights and all rights…they need to show honor and respect when we don't stand for
the Star-Spangled Banner.
Oh, by the way, does anyone know about thestanza that's missing in the Star Spangled Banner?
Yes…there isa stanza that has been“deleted-omitted”! Do they even know what that stanza is
about (It’s about stopping the slaves from running to the freedom that the British was offering
during the war of 1812. Then there is the author of that song. Do they even know about Francis
Scott Key and what he was and what he did? Do they even know the story about the Black
woman who jumped off a bridge because she didn't want to be turned back into a slave because
of him? Talk about disrespect! Learn your history people! We all can’t disrespect our minds
from expanding our education about self and country and the complete story of the history of this
country and not the selective ones. Let's look at America as a whole not a piece, and build on a
promise not that status que of oppression of people of color and their rights.
Let me be frank when I say… you can’t tell us we are disrespecting the flag by not standing, a
First Amendment right mind you, and then turn around and disrespect my rights not to stand.