Trump needs to set example and lead nation

Instead of making divisive statements, focus should be on positive outcomes

More than 200 players around the NFL kneeled or sat during the national anthem on Sunday, The Associated Press reports, in the wake of President Donald Trump’s criticism of players who take such actions.

The protest originated with Colin Kaepernick, at the time a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, who began quietly kneeling during the national anthem last season in an effort to highlight police brutality and racial injustice.

But now, the protests have taken on new life and new meaning amid the president’s comments. The subject is a polarizing one, without question. The NFL players have the right to peacefully protest, to stand or to kneel. It’s a First Amendment right, and there are no league rules in the NFL to prevent that action. Fellow Americans in turn have the right to support the players, ignore the protests, or to stop watching the NFL — entirely up to you. Take to social media in support or to scold — your call, America.

Where we take issue, however, is with the president of the United States of America, and whether it’s appropriate for the commander in chief to bully those who choose to peacefully protest.

He could choose to use his platform to unite us, but instead, he appears to be choosing to fan the flames.

Race and police violence are topics that we should discuss as a nation. We’ve seen outrage over and over again about excessive police violence and racial inequality, scarring our nation.

It’s one of the many challenges America struggles with, and the president’s actions are polarizing, not healing. And at the same time, we have tremendous issues getting buried in this avalanche.

There is a dangerous war of words between Trump and North Korea that should have every single American gravely concerned.

And in Puerto Rico — a United States territory, mind you — lives hang in the balance in the wake of massive hurricane damage.

Our nation is in desperate need of health care reform — true reform — and our leaders are so divided that we don’t see this coming to fruition any time soon.

Maybe the NFL is an easy target. After all, fixing North Korea, Puerto Rico and health care are out of our control. Instead, one sees someone take a knee in protest, and it’s easy to get riled up and make demands.

And let’s be clear. Race and police brutality are conversations that matter, but people aren’t talking about that — the focus is on patriotism. Yet those who took a knee aren’t necessarily unpatriotic. In addressing racial inequality and police brutality, they are protesting in an effort to make the U.S. a better place for everyone — and this is one venue in which their voices can be heard.

Here’s what we do know. Our president should hold himself to a higher standard, above the fray, and work for positive outcomes for our nation. Stop the attacks, and work to fix the underlying issues. Those are the actions required of a leader, and what we expect to see from our president.