I have never written a blog on controversial issues on my business page however the current situations going on in America really cause me to reflect on the root causes and enabling factors that are the catalyst for all of these tensions. Root causes are obvious – 100s of years of institutional racism, lack of accountability for actions and racist instigators on both the left and the right. I was fortunate to be born after the end of really ugly times where segregation was a common practice, however I was still in an era that had wide spread racism. Fortunately, as times progressed I saw this slowly waning from society for the most part as those generations and beliefs died off. Unfortunately, there are still those small cells that exist that keep it alive. Often these agitators will join demonstrations and influence a mob mentality on what might have otherwise been peaceful.
I believe public peaceful, albeit spirited demonstrations are the correct forum for expressing our dissatisfaction with any of various forms of injustice in our society. I think when done correctly, these demonstrations encourage us as a society to change and advance as a civilization.
Growing up, serving as enlisted in the military and attending college, I became a strong believer and a bit awe-struck at our constitution. How could men who lived so long ago architect a document that laid the framework for what would become the most prosperous nation in the world!? And how did they have the foresight to make it a living document? It’s really quite remarkable.
On June 14, 1777 the continental congress adopted a flag to symbolize our great nation and in 1814, the poet and lyricist Francis Scott Key penned the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner,” originally known as “Defense of Fort M’Henry.” During the War of 1812, Key witnessed the attacks on Baltimore and wrote the words based on his experiences this night. Key watched our flag flying high over Fort McHenry as it was bombarded by the British forces during the night and witnessed as it still flew high as the morning sun rose.
More than a century later the Star-Spangled Banner was adopted as our national anthem by Woodrow Wilson in 1916. Although the song originally had 4 versus, the last 3 versus are seldom sung as we only hear the first verse at the beginning of ceremonies and sporting events. This song is about our flag and what it represents. To me, the men and women I served with, and countless others, our flag represents our freedoms. It represents the trials and tribulations we endured to gain these freedoms, and is a solemn reminder of the many men and women of all races that have readily given their life in order to protect our way of life and our country. Kneeling during the national anthem is complete blasphemy to me and really upsets me when I see it. Those that do it are completely insensitive to me and many others. I am deeply offended when I see this.
Supporters for kneeling during the national anthem will say that I’m being insensitive and that this gesture that reached global notoriety by an NFL football has-been is about social injustice and I should be cognizant of the cause. I am cognizant of the cause. However kneeling and dishonoring our flag is the wrong stage for one to make this point! Hijacking my TV or sporting event to force your demonstration and reprehensible behavior on me is insensitive to ME and to billions of others, especially those brothers and sisters that have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our flag. It is my understanding that the forum was chosen because of an old verse in the original song, which is never sung, that mentions “No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,…”. Yep – the British not only used hired mercenaries but also slaves to try to beat us back into submission. That verse was NOT about US slavery or social injustice in this country. Our flag stands for everything that gives you the right to protest and to demonstrate. Thus dishonoring our flag and the anthem seems counter-intuitive. Demonstrators ought to be flying Old Glory High as it is symbolic of “why” they can demonstrate and openly express their desires to change an injustice. I agreed whole heartedly with the initial comments made by New Orleans Saint’s Quarterback Drew Brees about it never being appropriate to kneel during the anthem. I was extremely saddened to see the backlash he received from celebrities, other NFL players and influencers. You go DREW! You were spot-on! Being insensitive is a two way street. I can support your position but don’t impose it on me and I won’t impose mine on you. I’ll be sensitive to your cause but you must also be sensitive to mine. I will never dishonor our Flag as I took an oath to defend it many years ago and I will defend it for my entire life. If I see you kneeling during the anthem, I will not watch nor support you or your team. Being a celebrity or professional athlete of any sort does NOT inherently give you the right to utilize your global stage to force your perceptions on me. When you have the global stage I’m only watching because you are there to entertain me and NOTHING MORE. If you use the correct forum and tactics, I’m far more likely to endorse you as a person and give your perceptions much more careful consideration but don’t hijack my TV or event or I simply won’t watch it. Don’t intentionally offend me and expect that it’s ok to do so under the guise of being progressive and altruistic in your motives. We see it for what it really is – an offense to the very nation that gave you the liberties that allows you to be so rude, inconsiderate and disrespectful.
Mick Dubuis, MBA, FACHE
President, Partners In Energy LLC
Former US Army, SPC