Protests, Prayer, and Protocol–for All the People

I will begin by stating that my insertion of a rendering of Rosa Parks’ mug shot for Colin Kaepernick’s head isn’t to be interpreted that their respective causes are of equal magnitude–but time will tell. They do, however, have some significant similarities. Both represent the racial injustices dolled out to African Americans. Both represent the continued struggle these Americans are having to realize equal justice and enforcement of their civil rights. Rosa parks spurred the 1961 freedom riders some six years after her bus sit-down. And some nine months previous to Rosa’s sit-down, there was a fifteen year old named Claudette Colvin, who did likewise. Theoretically, I believe Rosa handed that racial ball of injustice to Colin Kapaernick, who ushered it into the 21 Century by his simple (and humble) gesture (no defiant, stiff-armed fist raised here).

For Rosa Parks, it was a question of giving up her seat (again) to a white person, when no other seats were available for only a white person to sit. Oddly enough, the only widely circulated photograph shows Rosa sitting in front of a lone white male rider in the seat directly behind her, with no one else (visually) on the bus. But even her placement in that particular photo was enough, in and of itself, to get her arrested (blacks had to sit in back of the whites).

While Colin’s gesture didn’t break any written laws, he was vilified by football fans and our sitting president alike for not standing at the proper time. And our president continues to play his patriot card against these protesters (with all the gusto of a hound dog). Colin claims his kneeling gesture had little or nothing to do with disrespecting our flag, but much to do with the inequality (especially towards African Americans) of our American justice and enforcement divisions.

I have mixed emotions about the fairness of our justice policies and enforcement forces that don’t allow me to totally condone Colin’s reasons for protesting. But I certainly sympathize with his protesting. His timing may be off on his pass of protest. Yet, I duly respect him for having the courage to stand up (OK, kneel down) to the powers to be. He no doubt knew beforehand it was going to cost him his career. (I believe he could well afford his choice–but that’s not the point). Sometimes you just have to go against the grain (tradition, in this case) in order to state your case more effectively.

You see an entwining, light blue-filled and black outline of another player–kneeling in side view. This one (#15) is in prayer with his head bowed low–Tebowing. Tim didn’t get a fair shake as an NFL QB because he was an out and out Christian (my opinion). Too squeaky clean for the NFL, but just right for God! He didn’t go off the deep end when the NFL (plus some fans and even teammates) rejected him. His foundation (and salvation) is in the Lord. Tim has said, “I don’t know what my future holds, but I do know Who holds my future.” I don’t remember any photographs of him kneeling during the playing of our national anthem. Not that that doesn’t surprise me.

Then, there’s the helmeted figure in the background with the double-colored face, representing the black and white NFL players who choose to stand during the playing of our national anthem. I’m sure a number of them have mixed emotions over their kneeling teammates and vice versa, but the Philadelphia Eagles, who are a predominately Christian group of players, stood all season for our national anthem. And not because they were bullied into it by the unkind and demeaning words of our present president! They showed their collective contempt for the president by refusing his invitation to the White House that is traditionally offered to the pro-football team that wins the Super Bowl that year. Of course, the Donald rescinded his offer the minute after he found out they weren’t coming. Another belated gesture by the president to save his fake face.

This bus is filled with some mug shots of the freedom riders of ’61. They were passive resistance advocates, but they were brutally beaten in Anniston, (and Montgomery?) Alabama that same year by the KKK and other terrorists after their bus was set afire. Although Rosa’s sit-down happened in 1955, both are certainly interconnected. And so it is so with Colin’s kneeling compatriots in the NFL–wanting justice equally administered to all Americans–regardless of their skin color (in particular).

These freedom riders, of which Congressman John Lewis is the only living participant to date, are being assaulted by a hateful, mob of counter-protesters dressed in stark white garb (including, but not limited to the KKK). For me, these riders represent some of the true American heroes of the United States of America. It takes a much stronger man (and/or woman) to turn just their respective cheeks repeatedly away from harm’s way than to strike back out in self defense. Admittedly, I couldn’t have endured such trauma. But they did. And not just for people of color, but for everyone who is shown prejudice against them simply because that’s how they were born. (I’ll never forget on national TV, the epileptic, spastic, gyrations mockingly done by Trump towards a handicapped reporter). The greater the equality (especially, in civil rights), the stronger a nation becomes. Did you copy, Donald? I said that!

PS: There’s a reason for the neutral (OK, shades of grey) variations of the freedom riders’ faces. They all weren’t African Americans. There were plenty of whites aboard too. I parallel this neutral value of grey to becoming a Christian. Christ’s grace is offered to everyone. HE’s color-blind; and we should be too! (I also bring to your attention the cross of Christ that is highlighted in the facemask cage of the flag-draped player). Christians are caged for Christ–not the world! And more than joyful to be so.