Thomas Paine wrote three works that, after this weekend, seem appropriate to reflect on as they pertain to the National Anthem and some players in the National Football League. The titles of these three works speak volumes in themselves – Common Sense, The Rights of Man, and The Age of Reason.
When I was teaching, I taught a course called “Books That Changed the World” (The Prince, An Essay on the Principle of Population, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Mein Kampf, etc.) and one of the books I chose was Common Sense. It was written in 1776 and its sole purpose was to convince the colonists that breaking away from England to become a separate nation was the only course of action that made sense. It was this logic, bravery, and determination of the citizenry that led to the forming of the United States of America.
The American Revolution was, in its most fundamental way, a protest and one which had serious consequences. And because we won the battle, men like Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, Paine, and Franklin are all considered heroes today.
So how should we treat those members of the NFL who deem it necessary to send a message of dissatisfaction with the country when our National Anthem is played? First, we must consider WHY they are protesting. The players, from what I have gathered, feel there is a racial injustice going on in this country and to ignore that is just plain wrong. Believe me; I have never felt that I know anything about the effects of racial prejudice. I am white and I have never been subjected to an attack on me due to my skin pigment. I read Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin when I was young and it left an indelible impression on me. Griffin, a white American, darkened his skin and spent six weeks in the Deep South as a black man. He faced prejudice every single day. That book opened my eyes.
Thomas Paine expressed what I believe the players feel – “A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right.” So, the players protest. In this country, protest was and remains our foundation. Free speech is what makes America, America. The message may cause one to suffer consequences, but history has taught us that for every action, there is often a reaction. Thomas Paine was well aware that a British victory would have meant his death for treason, but as he said, “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.”
I would not think of sitting or kneeling when the National Anthem is being played and the players who kneel or raise their fists in protest will most certainly feel the wrath of many. They should expect that. But don’t take away their right to seek change and don’t take away the right to criticize them for it. After all, speaking your mind is truly American. It is one of our fundamental rights. That is why there is America.
ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS)
- Well, the Browns didn’t take Carson Wentz in the draft because they felt he wasn’t good enough. They could have. How do you think they feel today?
- Some interesting coaching decisions on the first NFL weekend. Hue Jackson of the Browns tried a fake punt in the Eagles game that was unbelievably ill-conceived (the punter was on the line of scrimmage) and led to three easy points for the Birds. Jack Del Rio of the Raiders, on the other hand, went for two instead of just tying the game against New Orleans with 47 seconds to go. They were successful and won 35-34. There’s a fine line between “goat” and “hero”.
- The first touchdown on Sunday in the NFL was the Carson Wentz TD pass.
- Terrelle Pryor, who is a converted QB now at WR for the Browns, made some great catches Sunday. He is the SAME Terrelle Pryor who was the quarterback at Jeanette High School when they lost to the Lehigh Valley’s Wilson Warriors for the PIAA state football championship in 2006. Jeanette and Pryor won the State Championship the following year.
- Friday, September 16, RCN-TV offers up Parkland at Easton (7:00pm) and Bethlehem Catholic at Nazareth (10:00pm). Lafayette travels to Princeton for a Saturday broadcast at 5:00pm. You’re invited.
Gary’s Guesses: NFL Picks – (Last week – 10-6; Overall – 10-6 – 63% )
Week Two
JETS
DETROIT
HOUSTON
NEW ENGLAND
BALTIMORE
PITTSBURGH
WASHINGTON
GIANTS
CAROLINA
ARIZONA
SEATTLE
DENVER
OAKLAND
SAN DIEGO
GREEN BAY
PHILADELPHIA
