Well, I thought I had put everything that I had to say into “Star Spangled Kaepernick,” but as it turns out, I’m not done with the subject. There seems to be a popular school of thought that Kaepernick needs to “put his money where his mouth is.” For the record, he did announce that he was donating a million dollars to charities that aid communities in need, but just the same, this sentiment confuses and, quite honestly, upsets me a little as well.
Why does it cost rich people money to stand against something? Why can’t they just be against it? When Ghandi fasted for India’s freedom did the world scoff and say, “put your money where you mouth is?” When Martin Luther King Jr. organized his many rallies, did everybody scream, “Put up or shut up?” Of course not, but the protests did make a difference. Frank Sinatra often refused to play clubs and bars that wouldn’t allow members of any race to attend the shows. In fact, there is a story in which Frank Sinatra and The Rat Pack were scheduled to perform at a club, but when they got there Sammy Davis Jr, wasn’t allowed to walk in the front door. Frank Sinatra refused to play that club and actually went to another club and told them The Rat Pack would be willing to perform there that night. “Ol’ Blue Eyes” didn’t give money to close those clubs or to help renovate the clubs he did play, but he still had a huge impact. Frank Sinatra was one of the biggest draws in Vegas during this time so several nightclubs actually changed their policies just so Sinatra would perform there. Money isn’t everything; sometimes you just have to act.
Kaepernick, has stated that he is making a stance against the oppression of people of color in America. I’m not exactly sure what he is supposed to donate to? I mean how do you fight ignorance and bigotry with money? Does he pay for the entire nation to hold diversity classes at night? Does he just give all of the oppressed $10,000 and tell them you may be oppressed but at least you have money? Does he pay all of the bigots in the world $10,000 and tell them to play nice? I’m not sure how you throw money at this and fix it. I saw one discussion that creating new laws cost money. Oh ok, I got it! He should pay money to make murder, segregation, and discrimination illegal! Wait, they already are? And yet, those problems still exist.
The issue that we are facing with oppression is a heart issue, and heart issues can’t be solved with money. They require discussion, understanding, respect and love. They require Jesus Christ to be the center of our lives and the ultimate authority in this country. If my kids are throwing fits everyday and hitting their friends, I am not going to try and resolve this issue by throwing money at them and buying them every toy that I can find. I am going to sit them down and talk with them. I am going to try to understand what is happening that is causing them to act out. I will teach them how to respect authority and treat others with love. I will tell them that God tells us to be kind and loving and I will pray with and over them. The issue that he is now kneeling down for requires the same kind of solution. You don’t address the heart with money, you address with it Love. “….God is Love.” (1 John 4:8)
I still don’t agree with how he is protesting. I think he has the right to do it, but I think his protest is missing the mark. As I stated, I believe the issue at hand is a heart issue and I don’t think that sitting down during “the national anthem,” is proving effective. We need to have open and honest discussions that lead to mutual understanding and respect and I don’t believe this is doing that. It has most definitely led to a lot of discussion, just not the right ones. Instead, we are all stuck talking about why we should stand for the “national anthem.’ I think that the issues he is protesting need to be talked about and need to be resolved, but I think he needs to find a different way to make that happen. I agree with the “what” and the “why” I just don’t think the “how” is proving effective. However, that isn’t really the point of this post. I am not talking specifically about Kaepernick, he is just the most recent example.
We seem to expect the wealthy to throw money at everything they decide to speak publicly about. Why? Why do they have to put their money where there mouth is? Why do we feel like we have the right to demand what they do with the money they have? Do you donate money to everything that you believe in? Do you give to every cause that you think is worthwhile? Do you demand it from your friends? Am I not allowed to be against child abuse if I don’t give a portion of my salary to charities that support it? I understand that they are in the public eye and so we want them to set an example, but is that really the entire picture?
A lot of times we sit back and see celebrities donating money to great causes and we somehow feel as if through liking and supporting that celebrity, we have donated vicariously through them. “Brad Pitt donated 2 million to St. Jude; that was very generous of us.” However, if we don’t like that particular celebrity we read the story and respond with “they only did it for the tax write-off.” Well, rest assured if Bill Gates, sends Autism Speaks a check for 3 million dollars, the chairmen doesn’t look at that check and say, “Ughhh! Tax write-off money, just burn it with the rest. We can’t use it.” It still helps and the money still does a good thing. The write-off may give them an incentive to give more money, but it doesn’t change the fact that it was a generous act that did some good. Honestly, using it as a tax write-off is just being smart with your money.
I don’t care how much money you have or how much money you have given to a cause. If you have an opinion, you have the right to voice that opinion. I may agree; I may not, but that doesn’t change that you have the right. I don’t give money to every charity and cause that I believe in. I don’t donate money every time I want my voice to be heard. So I don’t expect any body else to, celebrities included. I think it is great that people give to charities and I try to give back and recognize that I should do that more. So don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying that charities and causes aren’t good, and I’m not saying that money can’t help a lot of things. However, when it comes to the issue that Kaepernick is trying to bring attention to, money will not help in any way. Bigotry and hatred will not be eliminated with money; regardless of how much you give. We have to open our hearts and our minds. We have to have real and honest conversations. We have to recognize that there really is a problem instead of trying to throw out every excuse we can to ignore it. It isn’t about money, it isn’t about him being adopted by a white family, and it isn’t about his skills as a football player. It’s simply about hatred, bigotry and oppression. It is about the lack of love in the world today; it is about a country that has turned our backs on God.
I see people arguing on Facebook all the time about politics, Kaepernick, racism, and police brutality. Everybody has their opinion and it seems like everybody knows exactly how to fix them all. However, it seems like every complaint neglects to address the real problem and every solution leaves out the real answer. So what do I see as the real problem? The real problem is that this nation has turned its back on our creator. The reality is when you turn away from the light, there is only darkness. Just turn on the news or read a newspaper, it is quite clear that we are currently surrounded by darkness. What is the solution? In a word…God! He is the one and only answer and any solution that you give that doesn’t include Him isn’t a solution at all. Do you want to see love, peace and joy again? Well, what do you do when you are searching for something in a dark room?
Turn on the Light!!!
