Why People Take A Knee

With all of the controversy about the NFL and players getting down on one knee during the playing of the national anthem, it may be helpful to just think about the act of getting down on a knee or knees. There are many reasons that people take a knee. I'm not the greatest sports follower or authoritiy but I've seen team members, even opposing team members, taking a knee when another player is hurt on the field. It's a sign that someone's in trouble and that they may need help and that others should pay attention.

And we're all familiar with the act of genuflection on one knee as a sign of respect and adoration in the religious sense. People also take to both knees to pray. But under certain circumstances, prayer or the symbol of prayer may take place on one knee.

Many times I've seen first responders and other emergency workers, taking a knee as they assist someone in distress. Some of it has to do with comfort and the ability to assist a person in that position.

I'm sure there are other examples but these are a few that come to mind. The point is, taking a knee is not all that odd in and of itself.

So almost a year ago Colin Kaepernick began sitting and than getting down on one knee during the playing of the national anthem. He was very clear about his reason. He spoke about it openly because he wanted to. He wanted to make a statement about the lack of justice relative to the treatment of black people in the United States. "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

Now, the valid protest that he started, is being turned into an attack on the flag, the anthem and the military. It is a bizarre twisting of facts and reality. Agitators and protesters have most always been attacked and turned into the bad guy. Prophets, men and women, have been arrested, jailed, beaten, killed and demonized. Authoritarian leaders most often use nationalism and patriotism as the justification to insult and harass those who stand up for justice. Flags are symbols. They are fabric and cloth. Values are real and some need to be protected. Injustices are also real and need to be identified and dealt with.

Perhaps we should view taking the knee today as a sign, a warning that our nation is in trouble, that some of our people are hurt, they may need help and we should all pay attention.