Blog Stage Six: Comment on a colleague's work #1

On November the 3rd of this year, Sarah Banks wrote her first Original Commentary about NFL players protesting by kneeling during the National Anthem. Ms. Banks wrote a thoughtful, well researched and well written piece regarding this controversy that has engulfed our nation this fall. Ms. Banks was exactly right when she wrote, "it all boils down to the U.S. Constitution and the First Amendment". As is frequently the case in heated controversies such as this, emotion and rhetoric has overtaken logic. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution gives citizens of this great country the freedom to speak their mind, to disagree, to protest. More so, the First Amendment protects these people and their right to disagree. Numerous decorated retired and active military members from all branches have given their support to the NFL players protesting, saying that they are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country so these players have the right to protest. What could be more American than that. Unfortunately reactions from many in this country seem to be ignoring the First Amendment completely. Ms. Banks was spot on when she said, "the First Amendment guarantees our right to voice our opinions, but a side effect is that we see and hear from others sometimes makes us uncomfortable". The First Amendment guarantees our rights to say things that are unpopular. It guarantees our rights to protest. NFL players are simply exercising this right. In a league that is made up overwhelmingly of African-American players but Caucasian owners; the players are saying what many who do not have their public platform are also saying, racism is still a major issue in 2017 America.
Ms. Banks was more eloquent than I could ever hope to be when she said, "the First Amendment might seem like a curse at times, but it's a blessing that defines who we are as Americans. It makes America different than any other country in the world and we can thank our founding fathers for that". The First Amendment is anything but a curse. It is one of the greatest gifts that our founding fathers gave us. The First Amendment is one of the things that makes this country so unique and so special. Our freedom of speech is ensured by our Constitution. That speech may be offensive but it is nevertheless protected. You don't have to like it, you don't even have to listen to it but you must respect people's right to say it. Ms. Banks understands that the First Amendment is a big part of what makes our country great.