I need to start this post out with one statement; I love America. I am an American and I have been all over the world and I can say that America is a place I love most.
Having said that, I also know that we, as a country, have problems. And that’s okay. I’m pretty sure that we can overcome them just like we have in the past.
What drives me absolutely crazy is how bent out of shape people get when an athlete or celebrity does or says something that they perceive as “anti-American.” Because it is usually something completely inane.
The latest “cause celebre” for all those “true patriots” out there is pro athletes not standing for the national Anthem before games. I can’t even begin to imagine the amount of TV time and print space that has been given to this ridiculous “story.”
This week it was Marshawn Lynch’s turn to get vilified by people who seem to have no other job than to be professionally outraged. Let’s set aside that Lynch has been doing this for years, but people are just now noticing. The real question here is, who cares?
I do not look to pro athletes (or any public figure) for moral or cultural guidance. All that comes from within me and from my faith in God. If people want to deck their homes out in American flags all year round, that’s fine with me. It makes no difference in my life. Just as Marshawn Lynch or Colin Kaepernick sitting for the anthem makes no difference.
It seems to me that we have become a nation of professional victims. We look for ways to get our feelings hurt. We want to express our outrage over the tiniest of slights. Starbucks doesn’t have “Merry Christmas” printed on their cups? Let’s protest!
I tell you this, I have better, more important, things to worry about in my life than if Marshawn Lynch is “insulting” America. And I would hope that you would, too.
Stand, sit, lie down, during the National Anthem, I don’t care. I will not get bent out of shape because of your choice. And I hope you will not get bent out of shape because I wrote this.