As a fellow U.S. citizen, I ask: How dare you disrespect the very country that has given you everything you have? The United States was founded on the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I should know, because I studied these exact principles in preparation for my citizenship test. From slavery, to the women’s suffrage movement, the civil rights movement, anti-war protests and gay and lesbians rights, America has had its challenges and will continue to have its challenges, just like every other country. However, unlike most other countries, I am positive that the United States will gain strength from its challenges, and they will help it evolve into a stronger and even more democratic, unified country.
As a new citizen of this great country, I can tell Kaepernick that he doesn’t know how lucky he is. Being a U.S. citizen allows him to protest the actions or inactions of his country and government in a very public manner, without risking personal safety or financial security. Just the fact that Kaepernick can publicly and freely protest something as sacred as standing for the national anthem should be enough to awaken his soul and mind to the true greatness of this country. Even though I am a new citizen, I am not naive enough to believe that this country is perfect and that racism does not exist in various forums, including in government agencies. Yet, the last time that I checked, our president of almost the last eight years is African-American, and so are some of our most influential businessman, scholars, artists, musicians, politicians and jurists. To claim, as Kaepernick has, that “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” is plainly ignorant of present-day reality. The United States has come a long way in its fight to treat all citizens equally under the rule of law. The process is ongoing and not always perfect, as we have seen recently in Baton Rouge and across the country.
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