GENUFLECT...Respect for the Fallen

Peace and Greetings,

The other day I was listening to the Joe Madison Show on SiriusXM’s Urban View and the topic was the controversy surrounding the NFL and its players’ silent protest of kneeling during the playing of the National Anthem.  One of his callers stated he was a football coach and that when a player was injured during a game, players from both teams would kneel.  He added that it’s considered respect for the fallen and that it’s also done in the military.  Mr. Madison told the caller the word for what he was describing was ‘Genuflecting’.

Genuflect - (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

Etomology - Late Latin
Genuflectere, from Latin genu knee + flectere to bend

-To Bend the Knee
-To touch the Knee to the floor or ground, especially in worship

-To Kneel on one Knee then rise again as an Act of Respect

A short time after listening to the radio show, I observed a man wearing a T-Shirt with the American Flag on it.  Above the image of the flag were the words Respect and Honor.

Respect - (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

-A relation or reference to a particular thing or situation
-High or special regard

Honor - (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

-A showing of usually merited respect

-High respect, as for worth, merit, or rank
(Dictionary.com)

For the purposes of review, the aforementioned NFL Football scenario was started by former NFL Player Colin Kaepernick who initially sat during the playing of the National Anthem to protest against primarily African American Citizens being killed by police officers without having the opportunity of going through due process. This protest had (and still does have) its supporters and detractors.  One individual, Nate Boyer, a former active U.S. Army Green Beret Veteran (and former NFL Player), contacted Mr. Kaepernick and advised him that the proper way to respect the fallen (those killed) during the playing of the National Anthem would be to take a Knee. 

In an interview, Mr. Boyer stated "Soldiers take a knee in front of a fallen brother's grave, you know, to show respect. When we're on a patrol, you know, and we go into a security halt, we take a knee, and we pull security."

What does the aforementioned statement have to do with Mr. Kaepernick’s genuflecting you ask?

He was taking a knee for the fallen US Citizens who were murdered by Law Enforcement, while showing Respect & Honor to the Symbol of the Country in which it was occurring.

The Detractors, primarily led by Mr. Trump, stated that this form of protest was disrespectful to the Flag, the Military and just plain Un-American (I threw that last one in, was on a roll). I find it interesting how a narrative could be changed from the facts, re-mixed and rolled out.  More impressive (sarcastically speaking), are the many who have adopted said re-mixed version…

Of the many comments condemning Mr. Kaepernick's led protest, the one that causes me to half smile is “The National Anthem/The Football Game is not the place for this protest”.

Protest (Merriam-Webster)

-The act of objection or a gesture of disapproval
-a complaint, objection, or display of unwillingness usually to an idea or a course of action

In researching the definition of the word Protest, there wasn’t any reference made to the where, when or how one should be conducted.  In essence, its purpose is designed to make people uncomfortable.  Furthermore, it gives an opportunity for dialogue between parties.

Martin L. King, Jr.

“Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”

One is the result of simply not knowing (Sincere ignorance)...The other is the result of being presented facts countering/correcting one’s position and choosing to double down on a false narrative (Conscientious stupidity)...Who ya wit, what say you?

Question

What would Jesus do, as it relates to this situation, which side would he support?

Exodus 20:3-5 KJV – Thou shalt not have no other gods before me…

Sooo, would the Biblical Jesus (Y’Shua) put the symbol of a country and its song before the killing of innocent people by law enforcement?  Would he support a re-mixed version of the truth just because it came from the head of a country?...Would he have a problem with those who were protesting against the killings of the innocent?...One can’t serve two masters, Homie…Holla if ya hear me Christian Brethren…

I am now genuflecting...my Brothas and Sistahs have fallen due to being Spiritually and Mentally killed (Walking Dead)…Causing the imbalance of their Spirit, Mind and Body Trinity…They now value an inanimate object, a symbol, more than that which is a reflection of the Creator…

I direct you to my previous posts that speak to and give suggestions on how to bring one’s Spirit, Mind and Body in harmony with the Creator…Master your Breath…

Until then, I’ll leave you with a piece I wrote in the early 2000s…

The Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to God, the Essence of ALL creation…And to His righteousness for which he stands.  One Hue-man Family, superseding Ethnicity and Political boundaries, Respecting Diversity in Worship with Truth and Justice for All…God Bless the World…

Hotep