Americans Are Free to Protest
A couple of years ago, I read an article from a recent
immigrant from China. She was amazed that in America, one could legally burn
the American flag. In China, she would have been executed by the government
with no trial for burning the Chinese flag. She now lived in a country, the
United States, that was so strong that without fear citizens could speak out
against their country and government. She wanted to live in this kind of
country.
In contrast, in Nazi Germany, common citizens were expected
to give the extended right arm salute and pronounce “Heil Hitler” to each other
as a matter of greeting. The straighter you extended your arm and firmness of
your voice the more patriotism you displayed. Not following this ritual, at a
minimum you would be publically ridiculed and it was not uncommon to be beaten
by a mob, or arrested for suspicion of being a traitor. German citizens,
blinded with nationalism or the fear to express otherwise, provided the power
to Hitler and the NAZI party... and you know the rest of that story.
I think the most important ideal that this country has is
freedom. The freedom to make choices, to express opinions, to peacefully
protest or exercise civil disobedience towards policies or the government. And
when we feel that the government or country is not living up to ideals and
principles of what we are supposed to be about, we have not only the freedom,
but the obligation to express that something is wrong and it needs to be fixed.
There are many examples of this in our country’s history, when citizens joined
together to right a wrong. One example are the marches and demonstrations of
the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, protesting state governments that
legally allowed segregation and other racial injustices, and a federal
government that for many years turned a blind eye.
When I teach civics in high school, I emphasize that the
freedoms in the1st Amendment of the US Constitution are the most important of all
the amendments. Each of these freedoms is
why the American colonies revolted against the English government – every one
of these freedoms had been denied to the colonists, even though they were loyal
British subjects. When these freedoms and rights are denied to us, then we no
longer have a United States of America.
When I was a senior in high school, my classmates knew what
I stood for. I knew that I wanted a career in the military, to serve and
support my country. My classmates knew that I supported the Vietnam war –
especially when one Sunday night with another “war monger” friend, we did a
recon raid onto the school roof and hung a banner in the court yard proclaiming
“Bomb Hanoi.” All knew who did it when they arrived at school Monday morning.
When I was asked why one of my closest friends was a radical “hippie” and
another a conscientious objector to all wars, I explained that it was because I
wanted to defend a country that allows its citizens to disagree; both of my
friends were true in their convictions and I was proud of them.
When, then presidential candidate Obama was chastised for
not wearing an American Flag pin he explained that he did not think it was
necessary to wear a pin to express patriotism or loyalty – instead it was your
actions. I understood exactly what he meant as I did not wear a flag pin either
for the same reason. It was and still more important to me that people know who
I am and what I stand for – by observing my actions and demonstrations of my
pride in being an American – not by wearing a piece of metal or plastic on my
lapel, or a bumper sticker next to a car’s filthy exhaust pipe. Patriotism is
actions and spirit, not jewelry, cloth, or stickers. When I choose, I do wear on
the lapel of my coat an American Flag and Eagle, Globe, and Anchor; usually for
an occasion or ceremony where I would normally have worn my uniform when on
active duty. Of course, both of my biceps are adorned with my Marine “tats.”
I choose to stand for the National Anthem and salute the
passing color guard during a parade. When I lead my high school classes in the
Pledge of Allegiance I stand tall and straight as if on a parade field. When
there are students that want to talk during the pledge, generally it is only
because they are talkative lazy teenagers and they have not settled down to
begin the school day yet, not as any protest. I instruct them that one of the
great things about this country is that we have the freedom of expression and
choose whether they want to recite the pledge to the flag, but I expect –
require – them to remain silent out of respect for their classmates that choose
to recite the pledge. I remind them that many American citizens, such as myself
and others have served or are presently serving in the military, some in
combat, to protect their rights to make choices and express their views. This
usually clicks with them, gets them thinking, and I notice that next time all
is well. They realize that they have choosen to stand and recite the pledge
because they want to, not because it is demanded of them. In the same way, after
the pledge we have a “moment of silence.” I also ask that again, that all of us
out of respect for our classmates to remain silent for those that choose to
privately pray, meditate or contemplate, or day dream.
So, when I see our so called president screaming that those
that do not stand for the National Anthem should be beat, and demand that NFL
football players should be fired for the same, I am reminded of a fascist
dictator, I think of the examples of the Chinese immigrant amazed at our
freedoms and German Nationalism that demanded a salute and “Heil Hitler.” This
is not my America. This is not what makes America Great.
I have seen many veterans from WWII to the current wars
express that although they might not agree with “taking a knee,” they
fought for the right of these Americans to express themselves by taking a knee
or holding arms in solidarity. If I was on the field, I too would link arms to
support the freedom to protest or express our views. If these ball players were
yelling or screaming, disrupting or trying to prevent the National Anthem from
being played or sung, then that would be disrespectful. Instead, they are
making a quiet protest – not against the flag or country, but against what they
perceive as failures to live up to what ideals of their country is supposed to
be about. They are showing their respect to those that want to sing the
National Anthem.
I hold all the freedoms and rights for our Constitution,
especially all those in the 1st Amendment dearly. Without any one of these, we
do not have a free country. Because I am a patriot and love my country, I
served in the Marine Corps, and now, when I see injustice or when we fail to
live up to our ideals, I have the right and I do protest peacefully. I marched
in NYC for the Women’s Movement in January, I have marched in Savannah, and I
have participated in rallies on the Washington Mall, and in Atlanta. At all of
these I have stood with veterans that feel the same as I do. We all look at
this as a way to continue to serve our country and protect the Constitution.
I will never deny or belittle your feelings, please do same
for me. That is why America has always been Great. We don’t need to Make
America Great Again, it already is.
Semper Fidelis, Jim
(Photo taken at March for Immigrants Atlanta, Ga)
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