Taking a Stand, Fifteen Years Later

September 11, 2016

Power of Patriotism & Freedoms

Today marks fifteen years after the worst tragedy known to the United States of America. When this occurred I was still in elementary school, sitting in gym class as we unknowingly listened to the events unfold over the radio. Every day since I comprehended the full weight of those events, I have become enraged with passion whenever I see those images or hear a discussion regarding that day. What is this passion? This passion is the reminder of why I made a set of decisions through my life and also stands a huge landmark for where my beliefs are based.

Over the past month, there's been a debate about whether a man who is paid to play a sport can take a knee during the National Anthem. He has his reasons to do so, although I may not agree with them, he does have a right to protest and to free speech. Thank goodness for fundamental rights. As an adult, I was told that all Americans - citizens, immigrants, and all those alike - are to stand at attention when the National Anthem is played, out of respect for our flag and the values this nation is built upon and what it continues to stand for. 

If Colin Kaepernick does not want to stand up during the National Anthem, I say we should let him, his protest over the political troubles that this country is currently facing are his own issues to state. I, however, will continue to stand. Not only while the National Anthem is being played, but also as an American Soldier who has taken an oath of service to this great country. I will proudly stand with my brothers and sisters in arms, with those who protect and serve, and all those who put their lives on the line for the innocent. 

Looking back on 9/11, there's a reason we all came together as Americans following those events, there is no respectable reason why we should not be able to stand together every single day. We all live in the United States. We should be united as one, while also separate with our own beliefs and interpretations on life and citizenship, that's how politics works. We can always work together as long as we can respect each other's differences and similarities from our own. It takes patience, honor, humility, and courage, combined with numerous other elements of true patriotism to be an American and stand for what you believe in, but all of those things are most powerful when we can learn to stand together. 

As we proceed into another work week, please look into ways of helping your fellow American, citizen or immigrant, man or woman or child, black or white or yellow or brown. Who you are versus who they are should not matter, because we all stand under one that Star Spangled Banner and aspire for a better, brighter future every single day.