The identity politics of anti-kneeling: Let veterans speak for themselves
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In the wake of the NFL protests, many pundits have invoked phrases like, “Think of the veterans!” or “He wishes he could stand for the anthem!” Those sentiments backfire, however, when vets say the reason they fought was so that people could express their First Amendment rights.

We should really let veterans speak for themselves instead of using them as propaganda.

In one case, a high-profile veteran and National Anthem singer for the Baltimore Ravens is speaking out and calling it quits. Joey Odoms, who did a tour in Afghanistan, decided he had enough of the hostile culture that was being created, specifically among the fans booing players for exercising that right, and resigned earlier this week. He announced his decision on his Facebook page.

“Most fans accepted me as a veteran, former 911 operator, patriot and singer of the anthem, but far too many fans seemed to reject issues that affect not just me, a black veteran and an American, but all of us,” Odoms told reporters.

This should be alarming to First Amendment absolutists, even though the plain logic here is that fans are paying to watch a football game, and not a political statement. It’s why Aaron Rodgers’s call for Packer fans to lock arms around Lambeau Field will probably fall on deaf ears, even if he is Discount Double Check.

Just as conservatives grow angry when painted with broad strokes as racists and bigots by liberals, it’s hard not to imagine some veterans growing tired of the assumption that they’re all against any disrespect towards the flag or any form of protest.

Another example is the 97-year-old World War II veteran in Missouri who went viral on Twitter for taking a knee on Sunday. While most would assume: middle America, Greatest Generation — there he is taking a knee. And we all know what happens when we assume.

My grandpa is a 97 year-old WWII vet & Missouri farmer who wanted to join w/ those who #TakeaKnee: “those kids have every right to protest.” pic.twitter.com/LurCj7SLUB

— Brennan Gilmore (@brennanmgilmore) September 24, 2017

There are many valid, strong arguments to make against taking a knee during the national anthem, so those of us on the right need to stick to logic and facts instead of using others because of the uniform they wear/wore. After all, that’s a form of identity politics in itself, isn’t it?

The post The identity politics of anti-kneeling: Let veterans speak for themselves appeared first on Red Alert Politics.

Source: Red Alert Politics