OK, so...this all started when I defended Colin Kaepernick, quarterback of the 49'ers, for his actions at refusing to stand for the National Anthem. He rightly feels that he, and his race are not respected by this country, and therefore feels no reverence or allegiance towards it...and does not feel compelled to make a public display of feeling what he does not feel.
As a transgender person living in North Carolina...oh, boy HOWDY can I relate to what Colin is feeling! And I said so, too! In fact, I revealed accurately, that I have refused to stand for our National Anthem ever since March 23, 2016...the day they passed the horrible legislation known as HB-2...aka The Bathroom Bill.
I go to minor league ballgames at my local park ten miles from where I live. And when the National Anthem is about to come on...I walk out of the park and go have a cigarette (one is not allowed to smoke inside the stadium.) I deliberately pick this moment to walk out and have my cigarette, for, like Colin, I do not feel bound to give allegiance, respect, or fealty to a nation that has utterly failed to show me basic civility, dignity or respect...one that has failed to grant me full civil and legal rights that should be the due of every citizen.
I am NO LONGER WILLING TO WAIT...for what should be mine by birthright! And I said so.
And oh, boy howdy did the hate start pouring in!! Cannot BELIEVE how many of these conservative “strict Constitutionalists” seem to not understand that the right to dissent is the most cherished of American rights...and that NOBODY should be compelled to rise for the National Anthem...or recite the Pledge of Allegiance!
Why are some so insistent that we feign a public display of fealty that we do not feel...which FOR GOOD REASON WE DO NOT FEEL?
I am reminded of the story about the 2008 winners of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, Tommie Smith and John Carlos. One of the two was later told, reportedly — by a CIA agent...that he had done nothing to deserve the award and attacked the man’s patriotism...and the reply was “This country never respected me.” I feel the same way.
This country wishes to hold itself up as the greatest nation on Earth...to which I say THEN IT IS HIGH TIME WE STARTED ACTING LIKE THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH!!
And we could start by no longer allowing SOME of our citizens to be marginalized, dehumanized, denied basic civil and legal rights. Things like that are NOT DONE in any nation that is truly great.
One day, perhaps I shall once again stand for the National Anthem...or recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The day in which I am granted the full civil and legal rights I THOUGHT were inalienable as my birthright...that is the day I will honor this country. When I am honored as a full worthwhile dignified and respected person for being a law-abiding tax paying hard working citizen...WHO JUST HAPPENS TO BE TRANSGENDER.
I am no longer willing to wait quietly for my rights. I am no longer satisfied with half-measures that leave gaps that haters can use to violate the spirit and intent of the laws. Such as was done with HB-2...the way it was crafted it was done CAREFULLY to avoid falling afoul of Romer v. Evans...while violating that ruling’s every spirit and intent!
Nothing short of the granting of my full civil and legal rights...in a way unmistakable, inalienable and unequivocal...will gain my respect, honor and allegiance at this point. Until that happens, I shall also no longer stand for the National Anthem.
But conservatives by the hundreds condemn me on Facebook and other places for this stand...and attack my patriotism. Strict Constitutionalists they claim to be, they need to borrow Mr. Khizr Khan’s pocket Constitution and READ IT.
I am sorry, I have no respect for a nation in which haters and bigots get what they want — the legal right to discriminate against my people — the right to force us into harm’s way for their ILLUSION OF SAFETY (since actual predators and pedophiles will not obey the law just because society would LIKE them to) … when they get what THEY want IN TEN HOURS...and I have to fight for going on over FIVE MONTHS for just a little justice...and with no end in sight...no, that is not the definition of a great country.