#TALKTHATTALKTUESDAY - STOP DISRESPECTING THE FLAG..!??!

Stop disrespecting the flag, they say. Stop disrespecting our soldiers, they say. Stop bringing up your ancestor’s oppression, they say. Stop taking a knee.
Those statements let me know that there are people who still do not understand why the knee is being taken. It is not just because someone wants to be a jerk. It is because someone with a platform decided enough is enough. I applaud Colin for taking a knee. He didn’t have to. He could have continued playing the game, he could be mingling with sadity A-listers and could be continuing to collect a fat check. But this man has shown that money and status means nothing when you are living in an unjust world that says you are nothing but a black man deserving of racist treatment, you are nothing but another black person that has a bullet with your name on it.

Taking a knee is a non-violent protest statement that says we have had enough. It says that our country has failed at what it stands for. The land of the free. What does that mean if we are told we cannot protest when we witness injustice? The land of the free. What does that mean when an entire race does not feel safe in a country they work so hard in? Why do we still have to fight and kneel for these injustices to be seen in a land we call the free world and is supposed to be just as much of ours as others? Taking a knee is just what the flag, what our soldiers and what this country stands for. As a country, we are always defending other countries who lack a strong voice or are fighting civil wars in their own land. Yet civil rights and our lack of safety is still prevalent in our own country.
Are blind eyes turned toward these issues? Yes.
Are they saying we should forget it because legal segregation and racism does not exist? Yes. Does awareness need to be brought in order for change to take place? Yes.
Therefore, a knee is needed. It is a peaceful and non-violent protest to get the United States in check with their morals and values. The flag does not (nor does the National Anthem) live up to its words. From my knowledge, the flag represented strength, unity and freedom to express. It was about fairness for all. There is an elephant in the room. There is a glass ceiling placed upon certain races. There are things that shouldn’t exist and instead of changing it for a better future, some people choose not to speak on its existence in order to make themselves feel better. Opportunities we have, but limits are placed on a lot of us due to our skin color.

I know we aren’t our ancestors but in today’s society there are different methods of enslavement and belittling to keep us down (Prison systems, drugs, lower income wages, racial profiling and more).
The point of taking a knee is to bring awareness that the country needs to unite more than ever. We need to ensure that everyone is treated equally and fairly across the board. Taking a knee is a calm protest that is a CALL FOR ACTION. Make a change. Positive action is needed so that everyone can feel proud of our country.  Join us in making these issues disappear so we ALL can stand for the flag with dignity and honor proudly. Take a knee, support taking a knee.
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If you can’t see the issues of racism and modern day enslavement. If you feel your privilege is at stake if you join. If you just won’t understand the points we make peacefully, then you are the problem. You’re not listening. You choose to turn a blind eye to the elephant in the room because it does not affect your privilege. Walk in our shoes. Let’s list the issues, face them and help fix the problem. If you choose not to, just keep quiet while we make a change. Because we won’t shut up. #CheckInCheckOut #TakeAKnee