Today is Flag Day

Like most of you, I've seen a lot of controversy over how certain US citizens are disrespecting their country, their flag, the National Anthem, etc. So, since it's Flag Day, I'm going to throw my two cents in.

A lady by the name of Ruth Apperson Rous wrote something about the US flag; she penned it as though the flag itself were speaking. It's quite inspiring to read...take a look! Did you have your rose-colored glasses on, when you read it? I'll get to the point of that question in a minute.

In this writing, the flag mentions that it has it's own laws; that is, indeed, correct. And, no surprise here, the majority of American citizens (myself included) have ignorantly (and repetitively) broken most of the laws, concerning the proper use and display of the US Flag. You can read the Code, here. I say we've ignorantly broken them, because while I was growing up I never knew these regulations existed; I don't know of anyone who did. And, if they did, no one bothered to share that information with me.

As for the rose-colored glasses I mentioned earlier, the way most "patriotic" folks are carrying on about the disrespect, is embarrassing. They all seem to have theirs tightly fitted and permanently glued to their faces. Take the issue with Colin Kaepernick, for example. Remember him? He was blasted for sitting/kneeling during the National Anthem; it's disrespectful, right?

Well, not so much. In the US Flag Code, it says people "should" stand...not that they have to. The word "should" is a suggestion, not a command. But, that's not really the point to his actions; the reason Kaepernick is kneeling, is because he's protesting social injustice and racism.

Both social injustice and racism are disrespectful to American citizens. ALL men are created equal....right?? So why, in this day, are so many people of color being treated unfairly? It's simple....White America does not view them as equals.

Quite a few people will argue that people of color are given the same opportunities as White folks; and, while they may have the same opportunities, that doesn't mean they'll be given the same opportunities; the US Congress, itself, is 80% White when there are so many people of color who are qualified to hold seats in Congress. Even in the 21st century, minorities are regarded as lesser beings.

In the job market, it's common for a person of color to be passed up for a promotion, or not hired at all, because they're not white. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 says discrimination based on race or skin color is illegal; but, who's going to take the time to prove that racism was the reason behind it?

And this doesn't just happen to the Average Joe, either. CNN wrote an article about a politician who faces racism, on a regular basis. "Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina -- who is the only African-American Republican in U.S. Senate -- delivered an emotional floor speech Wednesday about the unfair police scrutiny he has faced over his life because he is a black man." A politician! Someone who governs this country, gets racially profiled by law enforcement; and he's had to deal with this his entire life.

THIS is what Colin Kaepernick is protesting! It has nothing to do with the flag, or the National Anthem, or whatever the propagandist narrative is....it has to do with the fact that black folks are NOT given the same opportunities as White folks; and this is viciously unfair!

This is a mindset that's been passed down from generation to generation, since 1619, when the Dutch introduced captured Africans to America. Yes....racism has been a thorn in America's side for nearly 400 years. It's time to get over ourselves! Black lives matter...there, I said it. They matter just as much as White lives, Asian lives, Hispanic lives, etc. And it's time for the rest of the country to get with the program!

I've taken my rose-colored glasses off, and I'm seriously disenchanted by all the arrogance masquerading around as patriotism. Just because the media or the President says it's wrong to #TakeAKnee, doesn't mean it is. Nobody should be proud of a country that treats it's people like 2nd class citizens. And, I doubt God will bless that country, either.

Here are a few examples of what is truly disrespectful to the United States, and it's flag....

It is disrespectful to lay the flag flat, or let it touch the ground

It is disrespectful to print the likeness of the flag on dinnerware

It is disrespectful to wear the flag as clothing

It is disrespectful to fly a tattered flag

As for the Star Spangled Banner (National Anthem), the words that are being sung at sporting events, and NASCAR races, are only a portion of the actual song. In 1814, when it was originally written, it was called "Defense of Fort M'Henry". I believe it was President Woodrow Wilson who designated it "The Star Spangled Banner". And, I'm guessing the reason we only sing the first verse is due to the fact that it feels more patriotic to sing about our beautiful flag waving high above us, than it does to sing about how pleased we were to know that the slaves were being killed in the war, and we survived.

Did I lose you, there? Here....click this link, and read the whole song.

And, before any of you tells me to "love it or leave it", take note that this "patriotic" mantra is decidedly Fascist. You are essentially telling me that I have to fall in line, and agree with the current narrative (whatever it happens to be), or I'm not allowed to be here. That's not what being a "free country" is all about, Charlie Brown. I'm allowed to speak, and feel, exactly as I please; just like you.

I'm going to get down off my soap box now....I hope you can do the same, and open your eyes to what's really going on. Patriotism isn't what you've been conditioned to believe. And, now that you know how disrespectful you're being, to the flag.....be a good American, and change your ways!