Seeking Common Ground

By Mitchell Moyer

The NFL anthem protest. Do you hear that? That's the sound of opinions being formed without even reading this! At the risk of being just another blog in your feed about this issue, I feel compelled to share my viewpoint as someone who checks a lot of boxes: Christian, traditionally conservative politically, millennial, and avid football fan. Let me first say, I know that my opinion on really any matter isn't one that carries any sort of weight on this issue. However, as one who has been a silent observer to this tension over the last year or so, I've watched all the arguments and have come to the following conclusion: Both sides have valid points. Ok, we're done now. Oh, it's more complicated than that? We can't just agree that the other side may have a position that we might not agree with but that's alright? Let me set up the two sides of the argument as I've seen them presented (I know these issues now have multiple sides and complexities, but my aim to to seek the core origins of the conversation). On the for the protest side: We have a group of people who wanted to protest police brutality, particularly in regards to the African American community. While its initial reasoning has now expanded to include a few other similar issues, at it's core, those protesting are wishing to draw attention to issues and tensions around racism. On the against the protest side: We have a groups of people who feel that protesting during the national anthem is disrespectful towards the country and the flag. There are also some other issues that have arisen as a result, particularly around disrespecting service in the military especially those who have given their lives to their country. From my vantage point, I see that both sides have valid points. Are there injustices and inequalities that are a direct result of a persons skin color? Yes. Is the flag an important symbol of our country that so many have given their lives for? Yes. Do people have a guaranteed right to peaceful protest? Yes. Do people have a right to boycott something they don't personally agree with? Yes. What if our goal was to seek unity?  Not in some theoretical, sunshine and flowers way but in a real sense of understand and compassion for one another!  If one side understood the reasons for a particular stance, then they can hooefully show respect for those doing it, even if they themselves don't agree with the execution of the protest. 

Bottom line: people on both sides of this issue have important reasons for their beliefs. Until we can learn to disagree with a sense of civility, we are doomed to live in a cycle of arguments and assumptions about people who love this country and want to see it be the best it can be. I understand that this issue is polarizing. On both sides, the 'other' person opposite you seems like they are some terrible person. But just like with so many other issues, there's a lot more common ground if we look at the people behind the issue and not simply their political or social beliefs.