Hate Speak or Freedom of Speech

Black Lives Matter, Black Rifles Matter (yes we have them, no you can't take them), stand or take a knee, arm in the air with fist displayed or hand across your heart.  Who is right who is wrong, and does it matter?

"The First Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble, or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, as one of the ten amendments that constitute the Bill of Rights."

The First Amendment should take care of all the arguments, yet, as much as people stand up and yell, "I know my rights,"  what they seem to forget is that the amendment was written for the people we disagree with as well as those we agree with. 

Much of the argument we read online, hear on the television, or read in various media is created because human beings fail to respect the rights of the people on an opposing side, or to allow them to have the same rights as those who believe they have the moral high ground.. 

So does it really matter if Colin Kaepernick  takes a knee during the National Anthem?  Not really, because he has that right; according to the First Amendment. 

Is it disrespectful for an athlete that is paid millions to entertain fans every week to take a knee?  That question can only be answered by an individual's perspective.  Does it matter any more, or less, that many of our elected government officials don't  bother to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in the House chambers?   Once again, that depends on individual perspective and how each individual interprets the First Amendment. 

Yes, to me, Black Lives Matter.  No, to me, Black rifles don't matter, unless I am picking one up to defend my country as I had to do when I was in the Army. Do Black Lives Matter more than White Lives?  No, but that isn't what the slogan is talking about, and what I believe doesn't matter to anyone but me.

I had a close friend explain the thought process behind the slogan and why to reply, "all lives matter," or "white lives matter," is disrespectful to the people who believe in this movement.  My friend said that white lives have always mattered.  Yet, for  many years the only way black lives mattered was as a capital investment. Of course, on a logical level I already understood this, but emotionally I wanted to scream my battle cry, "all lives matter."  By responding in this manner I was not opening my heart or mind for the other perspective.  In the Black Lives Matter movement the perspective is placed on a group of people who have been slaves and treated like less of a citizen than Caucasians. By not accepting their position and perspective the message is diminished and disrespected.  By putting less emphasis on the concept of Black Lives Matter, people's feelings are overlooked and this causes more anger, frustration, and resentment. 

So what is the point?  Somehow human beings must step up and realize that what we stand for, or don't stand for, is all well and good, but by not allowing others that same right, even if we disagree, may continue those feelings of anger, hurt and resentment. 

I strive daily to respect the people who have differing views than I.  It doesn't make our world any better for this group or that group to take the moral high-ground and insult, demean, or trample all over an opposite opinion; especially our political leaders

Keep your guns, but somehow we have to stop the violence.  Keep your beliefs but leave an opening in your heart for opposing views.  We don't have to be best friends with people that we don't agree with, but it is possible to be respectful and friendly

"Left foot, Right foot, breath."  Pat Summitt.