The NFL, Symbolism and Illiteracy

NOTE: Originally published on Facebook Tuesday, October 3, 2017

I’ve come to the conclusion that NFL players who have been kneeling during the national anthem before games either hate America or are illiterate when it comes to symbolism. So many players have taken part in these “protests” that both conclusions are probably correct.

Symbolism is a shorthand method of communication that is inherently easy to understand. Someone who flies a hammer and sickle flag is no doubt a supporter of communism. Fly an American flag, then you are no doubt a proud American who endorses the founding principles of the country and are loyal to it. Burn an American flag, then you hate America, its founding principles and everything that flag stands for. Sit or kneel for the national anthem, of any country, and it is no doubt a sign of contempt for that country.

When people, players and commentators feel the need to endless explain why players kneel during the national anthem, then it’s a safe bet that the symbolism of kneeling during the national anthem was poorly chosen and should never have been done in the first place. The verbal and written explanations completely contradict the symbolism of kneeling. The long hand is opposed to the short hand and a confusing mixed message is sent out.

No one can look into the hearts of those who kneel for the national anthem. We can only see what they do. So the explanations are generally ignored and symbolism stands out. In other words, the written and verbal messages become white noise and the symbolism that says, “I hate America” remains. That is the message players send out by kneel for the national anthem. It has nothing to with President Trump or any other pet issue NFL players think is important.

This is a deceptively important issue. The United States isn’t like any other country. “American” is not a race, a language, or a religion. The United States is an idea commonly shared by a people within borders. America’s origins are not shrouded in myth, but a matter of historical record. Other than that, we don’t have much in common as a people, so the symbolism of standing for the national anthem, saying the Pledge of Allegiance and flying the flag become all the more important. These are symbols of unity of conviction and they are the only ones we have despite our differences. Take that away and what is left?