What is the Truth, Right or Wrong

Say it enough, tell one person, who tells 2 people, who tell 4 people, and so on; you know how it goes.  Next thing you know it is considered the truth or the way it is.

Starting as infants we are taught right from wrong. If we are taught left is right and right is left, as you grow you will call your left hand your right. If you are taught it is wrong to go around naked, you will believe that, but is it really? If you were raised that going naked is okay, there is nothing wrong with being naked, you would believe just that.

If everyone you know and everything you read says a person or organization believes/supports nonviolence, you will believe it even if you don’t have all the facts or a partial shred of proof.

So if almost every media outlet or news story says one thing, it doesn’t matter if it’s an opinion or factual; it becomes the truth in many peoples eyes.

Believe it or not, agree or not, this is brainwashing.

High profile protests, generalizing statements using keywords are inciting riots, hatred and racism. Most of us have heard or saw news reporting protests because a black person is shot.

Taking to the streets, the protesters signs in hand and chanting, have been building ill feelings towards all law enforcement, not just the officer involved in the shooting but all officers and at times towards a race of people.

Protesters have waved signs and chanted “whites are the devil”.  Yet these same protesters are saying they suffer from racism, discrimination profiling and targeted violence. Say it enough and it becomes truth imbedding in peoples lives, including the younger generations.

Are these protesters suffering from racism, discrimination, profiling and targeted violence, in some cases, yes they are. That is not the debate or bases or topic of this article.

As a young child I was taught skin color, religion or male/female, it doesn’t matter, we are all equal. Process of change had already started and what I was being taught was evident.  I have see the change, for the better; I see less racism today than I saw as a child. I see more equality among people than I saw as a child.

Does bigotry and sexism still exist? Yes it does.  Is it better than it was before?  I believe it is, at least from what I see. No I am not black or a female. I am white and a male. My view is not as in-depth as the people experiencing the inequality, racism and sexism, but on the surface I do see the change, in-depth view of white males (at least a lot of them) in the United States.

Do we really want to regress? No, I don’t think so. Yet when protesters are standing in the street yelling and screaming, waving signs stating a certain ethic group are devils, or a certain sexual orientation is evil, that is exactly what is happening.

It is not all whites or blacks that are the devil, racist or preach equality while degrading, belittling, and teaching hate.  It is only some people no matter the race, religion, or sex.

Martin Luther King, Jr. in my opinion was the greatest civil rights movement activists.  He was a man, before my time, a man I wish I could have met, sat and spoke with, a man with a message to many people have forgotten.  Message of love, respect, equality and nonviolence.

Quotes from Martin Luther King Jr.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at time of challenge and controversy.”

“I have decided to stick with love.  Hate is to great a burden to bear.”

Martin Luther King Jr. marched in peace.  Mr. King Jr. protested in peace.  This man drew tens of thousands of people to follow, protest and march with him, keeping to nonviolence.  He lead by example.

Martin Luther King Jr. did not just protest about equal rights, he acknowledged not all people of any one color or religious belief contained hate or racism in their hearts, mind or emotions.

Martin Luther King Jr. knew, to be heard by the masses, violence and hatred could have no part in protests.  He knew he had to lead by example. He knew he had to lead with…. respect.  He treated himself with respect, he treated his protesters with respect and he treated those he protested against with respect.

Are all whites, blacks, Muslims, Christians, bad? Repressive? Racist? Ignorant? Sexist? NO! Generalizing groups of people is prejudice.

The truth or appearance of truth

Protesters have the right to voice their opinion, free speech, it is guaranteed by the Constitution.  Time and time again we have seen protesters rising up, demanding equal rights AND spewing hatred, racism, PREJUDICE. The same they are protesting against. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

Unfortunately, younger generations are learning it is okay to be violent, it is okay to hate, it is okay to prejudice.  It is not.  Recent protests are teaching only half truths, stop the prejudice and inequality.  The protests are teaching lies, it is okay to be hateful, it is okay to be violent.

Again, say it enough, see it enough and it becomes acceptable, the way of life… or truth.

Mr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I hope I have done you, your quotes and your memory justice.

With respect,

R martin

#BlackLivesMatter, #BlueLivesMatter, #PoliceMatter, #Respect, #MLK,  #protest,

My List of Disrespect

I have written about several issues, problems in America. I have written about our freedoms, our rights that are provide for us in the United States Constitution.

Looking back, I realize most of these issues stem from lack of respect, disrespecting others, those differences between you and them, those freedoms and rights provided in the Constitution. Yet how many of you will step up and claim “it’s my right to voice my opinion” “it’s my right to protest”.

You are correct!

If you said any of the above give yourself two brownie points, because you are correct, you do have those rights. But you are not the only one. Others have the same right and most importantly we all have the same rights, the right to protest, the right (and obligation in my opinion) to ensure everyone’s rights are recognized and protected.

However, no one has the right to disrespect anyone.

One of the most media saturated stories right now are athletes refusing to stand during the National Anthem. This my friends, readers and fellow citizens, is a form a of disrespect. Disrespect of our country and disrespect of each and every one of us.

Important side note.

Due to a marriage in our family we now not only root for our state teams (Seahawks, Mariners, Sounders, etc.) but also for the San Francesco 49’ers. But this has all changed.

Disrespectful

Colin Kaepernick refused to stand during the National Anthem and encouraged a following. No more 49’ers. NO 49’ers games will be watched in our house. No tickets will be purchased to attend any of their games. At least not until Colin is removed from the team or forced to stand respectfully during the National Anthem as per protocols and tradition.

Seattle Seahawks joined arms “in unity” as they stood (they were going to kneel but some players protested so the compromise was standing with locked arms). That is not acceptable. Traditions and protocols are clear, you are to stand, right hand over your heart, all head coverings to be removed. NO more Seahawk games will be watched in our house and no tickets will be purchased to attend any of their games.

Miami Dolphins, four of the players kneelt during the National Anthem. Use to be a team I would watch from time to time, but not now. At least not until the players are removed from the team or forced to stand respectfully during the National Anthem as per protocols and tradition.

Marcus Peters of the Kansas City Chiefs, yeah will, no more at our house.

As you see, I am not biased towards teams when they allow their EMPLOYEES/athletes to use such a disrespectful action towards our country, our military and our citizens.

Thank goodness, as of yet, no one on the Green Bay Packers (second favorite team) have pulled a stunt like the teams/athletes above.  I know there are other athletes and teams that have shown the same kind of disrespect, but this few I have listed gives you a good idea as to my stance on their actions.

It doesn’t matter

To me, it doesn’t matter which athlete, which team or which sport is involved. Keep in mind, I am a long time Seahawks fan, through thick and thin. I was at their first game, in Seattle at the King Dome. I have been a fan ever since, until now.

I’m not say these athletes don’t have the right to protest, I’m saying they don’t have the right to infringe on my right to a relaxing, drama free, sporting event. Protest on your own time in an appropriate place and in an appropriate manner. I understand what these athletes are protest, and I agree it is an issue to protest. It is being done in the wrong manner.

Owners wake up!

To the owners of sport teams, you have a right to stop these athletes protesting at the start of the game. You have a right to make them stand in a respectful way.  Read the contract you and your athletes signed. Unless you agree with their form of protest, I’m not taking the actual issue, you do have the right to make them stop. The athletes are on your dime, your time, while they are committing these disgusting disrespectful actions towards our flag, National Anthem and our country, the United States of America.

R martin

Sports vs Protests–Politics

There is no place in sporting events for politics including making statements either verbal or via actions.

I for one, do not tune into a game of any sport to watch a protest. I want to watch the game, it being baseball, basketball, football, tennis, golf, car racing, it doesn’t matter, I’m not there to watch a protest.

This is the United States of America, you have the freedom to choose, so choose the correct agenda, the correct words and the correct actions.

For those of you athletes who recent chose a sporting event to “voice” your protest by sitting or kneeling for the National Anthem, you have disrespected this country, sports fans and me.

I don’t want to hear about your issues, I don’t want to hear what you are protesting, I don’t want to hear what you stand for, you lost that opportunity by disrespecting my country and me!

Wrong agenda folks!

If an athlete wants to make a statement, they need to do it on their time, not mine.  I paid money to watch the game! The average person cannot go to work and stand in protest no matter the issue (excluding work related issues or stances such as a strike). So what makes these athletes feel the have the right to stage a protest at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of a game?  They don’t! It’s called lack of respect for the spectators, lack of respect for other athletes and lack of respect for the sport and the opportunity they are give to play said sport.

These protesting athletes think they have the right to interrupt my time to relax and enjoy a sporting event, they think they have the right to force their issues upon me.  They don’t! These athletes are teaching people it is okay to disrespect others.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I disagree with their plight, I’m saying there is an appropriate time and place, choose it wisely. Forcing their issues/cause does not make me want to listen and side or help them, it makes me want to tune them out until the sporting event begins. And in some cases, I will/have get up and walk out.

Protest in a positive way!

I agree we all have the freedom to protest, to air our opinions and our grievances but do it in a positive manner. If you give a speech cussing and belittling people, you will not get as much support as you would if done in a positive manner.  Think of it as a debate or giving an oral report. You are trying to persuade people to side with you and take up your cause. Positive actions create positive feedback and supporters. Negative actions create anger, bad feelings, less support and it distracts from your “fight” to bring about change in a positive way.

If your group of protesters start a riot, the riot becomes the issue, not the reason for protest. If your protest is forced upon someone, they will not support you, they will be angered by your actions.

Be respectful!

If you as a protest are respectful, more people will listen you and the facts you state. Don’t lie, or twist the facts to your benefit, respect your audience enough to be straight forward and honest. Your actions as well as your words, need to be respectful to everyone involved; fellow protesters as well as your audience.

A protest does not give anyone the right to be disrespectful. Is it common to be disrespectful? Yes, unfortunately even more so than it was five years ago. Do not disrespect traditions, protocols (such as standing and placing your right hand over your heart for the national anthem and pledge of allegiance), if you are out of the country or at an event where another country’s anthem is playing, be respectful and stand.

Think about it!

If someone approaches you to discuss an issue, a new law, better pay, equal rights, etc. who are you going to actually stop and listen too?  The person that is yelling and screaming obscenities, the person who is being disrespectful to you or your country or the person that calmly, politely explains their plight? I for one, will listen respectfully to the person that is respectful and polite.

Teach respect!

One of the major issues this country has right now is the lack of respect for individuals and their rights. Violence promotes more violence, be the “bigger man” don’t cuss back, stay calm, be respectful. People will accomplish more by showing respect, being calm and being polite. Others will learn from your actions. If you want people to treat you with respect, shouldn’t you show them respect?

Respectfully,

R martin