Letter: Protest is fine, but respect the flag
Why would anyone want to protest racism or inequality by dishonoring our flag? One of the Seahawks stated, “I just wanted to remember why we were American citizens, remember the freedom, the liberty and the equality, make sure we never forget that.”
True, we should never forget that our flag is the supreme symbol of over two hundred years of the resourcefulness and pride of this nation. It waves tall and solemn over our shared history, one that includes the Confederate symbol, civil war, slavery, Vietnam, 9/11, school shootings, assassinations, and countless incidences of shame and disgrace, resolve and resilience, which swell our collective hearts with both prejudice and pride.
Should you consider sitting for our national anthem, stop and think of the men and women who serve with solemn pride, who have sacrificed their lives so we may freely protest. Think of the tapestry of events — good, bad, divisive and connecting — that have placed us at this nexus. We cannot deny our history and we should never disrespect our flag — it flies far above any political discourse or governmental policy. With maturity and courage, you can disagree and yet exhibit respect without compromising your principles.
Gabe Lyons, Richland
This story was originally published September 4, 2017 at 2:08 PM with the headline "Letter: Protest is fine, but respect the flag."