Join in the discussion of social injustice

I have attended sporting events at all levels since I was a kid in the mid-’50s. Over the decades I have observed fans during the national anthem do the following: talk to the person next to them, eat a hot dog and drink a beer, talk and text on their phones, and often doing it all while sitting down.

Now that the NFL players, led by Colin Kaepernick, have taken to peacefully protesting during the anthem, many of the fans guilty of the above are having a fit. So let’s get some of the facts out in the open.

Kaepernick originally chose to protest by sitting on the team bench when the anthem was played as a protest that was originally to bring attention to social injustices in this country. It was not a protest against the national anthem, or our military or first responders, or any other group that outraged Americans have framed for their own cause.

Another fact is that Kaepernick went from sitting on the bench to taking a knee at the encouragement of a former Green Beret and Seattle Seahawks player, Nate Boyer. Boyer suggested Colin get off the bench and take a knee alongside teammates as soldiers take a knee in front of a fallen brother. You know, to show respect. So during the first anthem in which Kaepernick took a knee, Boyer stood next to him in solidarity.

To take this peaceful protest, which in design was to start a discussion, and turn it into anger and even violence, is to distort the truth. But I also have witnessed this in my own personal life.

After serving in the Navy during Vietnam and returning home, I enrolled at UNM and immediately joined with other veteran organizations with the goal of ending that immoral and illegal war. We were also united with other students and civilians who felt the same way.

During peaceful protests, I was called many names such as a hippie communist/pinko/fag/freeloader, which was often projected with much vitriol. It was our time to protest social injustice wrapped around that war. So I feel for Kaepernick and the others who peacefully protest, and I stand with their right to do so.

For those who disagree, that is also your right, but don’t change the narrative of the origin of the protest or distort its meaning. If you choose to boycott games, that is your choice, but don’t play the disrespect card and hide behind false patriotism. Join the discussion of social injustice so we can come up with solutions that make this a better nation for all. Bottom line, peaceful and positive protest is always better than anger and violence.

If anything, Kaepernick has inspired many fans to put down their food, drink and cell phones, to stand and pay attention to the playing of the national anthem — just as the vets who returned from serving in the Vietnam War helped change the thinking of their fellow Americans who originally supported the war and united us all in bringing that war to and end. Peaceful protests. Keep them in perspective.