Liberty, Freedom and Justice for Who?
I don't know if you have been keeping abreast of the
current events lately, but things are changing. The atmosphere of fear and
hatred disguised as political correctness has reduced this nation into a
country once known as a melting pot of nationalities and cultures to a steaming
kettle of mistrust and division. The world is changing, nasty attitudes, ill-temperament,
intolerance and disrespect is at an all-time high. All the characteristics that
make us human beings have morphed to a primal instinct of selfishness and
contempt for anyone who stands for the most basic right to be treated with
dignity. It has turned this country into a cesspool that has made common
decency an obsolete notion. Of course, I am not surprised because I've always
said that the elements of hidden and suppressed aggression will one day rise to
the occasion when it is ignored by those in power who are capable of making
collective change.
I understand completely
the thought process of those who have condemned Colin Kaepernick for his
stance. I understand the hypocrisy of focusing on the act of his protest rather
than the message he is conveying. What does that convey about a huge portion of
society who chooses to divert the attention of a man who cares enough about
human beings to make the decision to risk his career and livelihood to stand up
for people who are being unjustly murdered? What does it convey when
Kaepernick's act of protest by refusing to stand to a flag that is supposed to
symbolize liberty, freedom and justice for all is reduced to an argument over
his patriotism instead of justice for murdered victims that includes children?
How is it that the lives of so-called American citizens and his courageous
stance are not seen as a noble and selfless act? There is something seriously wrong with
humanity when people are so blinded by indifference and hate they are unable to
reason and empathize with the plight and pain of others. It should touch deep
into the very heart of what differentiate us as human beings; even animals
don't kill unless they are hungry. Are we not supposed to be a species above
the primal instincts of predators? There is a description for this
characteristic....it is representative of someone who is soulless and evil.
Some and perhaps a great portion of people may consider my following words uncomfortable,
but under the circumstance it is a welcome proclamation that seems as of late
to be non-existent in a society that seems to be void of selflessness and the incapability
of being able to reflect on one's behavior as it pertains to how one's actions
and words affect others. Our society has lost its moral compass to an extremist crusade that has
become so contagious it has overpowered the voices of reason and consciousness.
There was a time when morality, self-respect and humanity stood front and
center against tyranny and those who would try to take away what makes us
decent human beings. I try not to see things in literal black and white but it
is hard when so much of what I experienced and continue to experience is a constant
revelation that what shouldn't matter does. I hear a world trying to convince
me through words that color doesn't matter, that black life does matter that we
are all the same. Yet in deed, every day I see the residual effects of those
untruths televised like a recurring nightmare that seems to never end. Yet for
black people it is real and no matter how society tries to wish it away or
pretend it is a figment of the collective black mind, everyday... somewhere, it
is our reality when another black man, woman and child is beaten, lynched and murdered
for no other reason than the perception of others as the expendable members of
society. For those whose silent voices fade into whispers of fear because you
feel you are in a safe place and can never be affected by the screams of
mourning mothers, you are sadly mistaken.
If justice and righteousness cannot be served by the unjust
deaths of black people then the ultimate price in due time is everyone will
suffer the penalty for injustice by a higher power. This country was founded and brought into
fruition under the belief "In God We Trust." but I have yet to witness
an example that represents those words in practice. I can say unequivocally
that I am a believer in the words of scripture and I am a believer that we all
will be responsible and expected to give an account to how we have lived our
lives in the measure of what we have done to and for others.....good and bad.
When Colin Kaepernick stood up and became the voice for
those whose voices were silenced. He was doing what a person who believes in
the principles of "In God We Trust" is expected to do as a human
being. He will be rewarded for his deeds on earth and although he is ridiculed
and judged by man he will receive his blessing in the only way that
matters.....
Maybe instead of perceiving people of color through the
eyes of fear and hatred, perhaps it is more conducive to begin to put into
practice the principles of what the flag and this country is supposed to truly
represent.
All men/women regardless of race, creed and national
origin deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
"Noone" deserves anything less.
