There’s been a lot of controversy over some people kneeling during our national anthem. We all have opinions about it. I think for the most part, we all love God and Country. When the youth soccer team from World of Inquiry School here in Rochester, NY knelt during the national anthem before their game, I saw it as a statement of solidarity and remembrance, I believe, for the many young black youth who have died during police encounters. After that act of civil disobedience I wrote this letter to the editor:
I do not agree with people who say that kneeling during our national anthem is an act of disrespect. As someone who has worked in the religious community for over 30 years, I have always found kneeling to be an act of humility and utmost respect. Perhaps if more of us knelt than complained about those making a peaceful statement, there might be more understanding of what it means to be marginalized and victimized in a country where the nation’s flag represents “one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Of course, those people who have a similar opinion to me, agreed with my words. Also, after hearing Evan Dawson on NPR interviewing the local soccer team, I understood that their kneeling meant they “were not going to stand for it” anymore; " "It” meaning violence, discrimination and abuse.
Due to the efficiency of our digital technology, the very next day the newspaper posted another letter to the editor with a slightly different opinion that is a rebuttal to my letter. This is that letter:
A writer on Oct. 6, referencing her religious background, defended kneeling during the national anthem as an act of “utmost respect.” I understand that kneeling during some religious rites is the expected protocol, but it is not the established anthem protocol. I wonder what her reaction would be if most worshipers in her church knelt at the appropriate time, and others chose to stand with their hands over their hearts. As guidance, perhaps she would accept the recommendation of a famous religious figure: “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s. (Matthew 22.21)
I found the letter amusing, as most people in my church do stand to pray. And I respect his point of view, although he did not address the issue of violence, discrimination and abuse. Perhaps if we remove all the talk about God and religious beliefs, we can take an objective, (or honest) look at what it means to kneel before something. It’s not always an act of humility and respect. Sometimes people are forced to kneel, like before kings and queens or figures of authorities that dictate over other people’s lives. People kneel before executions in some parts of the world. And yes, we kneel when we are in awe of something greater than ourselves, whether it is a good thing or a fearful thing. But obviously, we are used to seeing people stand, not kneel, during moments of civil protests, which seems to be drawing extensive attention, as it should.
During the NPR radio interview there were callers who commented that these young people did not have the experience in their lives to make a judgment statement by this act of disobedience. Most of these callers were veterans, and/or people my age (maybe your age, too) that have lived through wars and famine and many other kinds of terrible life experiences. To that statement one young man on the soccer team stated his experiences of being black in a white world.
In some ways, our young African Americans are living the lives of their ancestors in these contemporary times, yet in more subversive and insidious ways. We can say life has gotten better for people of color, and yet, the mere act of high school students kneeling to make a statement, shows that things are no better for black lives than when the generation of the 60’s protested by marching in Birmingham or laying down in the streets to call attention to discrimination.
I am very proud of these young students who chose a non-violent way to protest. And I too, can find plenty of quotes in scripture that defend my position in this matter. Many of you know them: the Beatitudes, the Ten Commandments, Isaiah, Micah—we all have our favorite scripture. But what comes to my mind is a quote from Mahatma Gandhi, revered leader in the Indian revolution to independence, and one who inspired the non-violent movement for civil rights. His most famous quote is, “We must be the change we want to see in the world.”
Here's another quote by Gandhi that is lesser known that speaks to these young men and their act of kneeling in protest: There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supersedes all other courts.
