Symbols

Liberals and conservatives have both been more concerned with their own point of view on this issue than with hearing each other's. Each insists that the viewpoint that really matters is their own.

Yes, the flag and the anthem are symbols, but they're not *just* symbols.

And yes, the country is the people (and, I would argue with conviction, the Constitution, which exists for the people), all the people.

Do I see the irony of a protest attacking the symbols of the country that allows such protest? Absolutely.

Do I think that the government has any business interfering in that protest? None whatsoever.

Do I think that the business owners have a right to stifle that protest if they choose? Yes, I do.

Do I think that fans shouldn't choose to respond against a protest when they disagree with it's form? Not at all.

But I am absolutely fed up with both sides refusing to acknowledge the concerns of the other, and elevating their own values above the others.

People who insist on honoring the national anthem and the flag "the right way" need to understand that those who are expressing themselves in protest are doing so with good intentions and for good reason. They feel that the maltreatment of minority members of society is important enough to them to take whatever shocking action is needed to shake the majority out of complacency. They have seen their perspective repeatedly disregarded when they have tried to be heard. They are not ungrateful of the sacrifices that people have made; but even though they live in a great nation in which they have freedoms and opportunities they appreciate, they are fed up with the status quo and feel an obligation to use the platform their talent provides for them to try to make things better by increasing everyone's awareness of the problem.

People will always insist on protesting through actions that the majority feels are disrespectful of the nation which these symbols represent and, particularly the sacrifices of those who have given their all to create and preserve this nation. Ironically, this is what gives them the freedom to express themselves in this way, and it is important for them to understand that protesting in this way will keep many people from ever hearing their message. And those who disagree with them have just as much right to decide not to spend their entertainment money on people who are acting in ways which they have always been taught is disrespectful.