Kaepernick's contradiction

I am sick of elites complaining about America. Complaining that we're unjust. Complaining that we don't live up to our ideals. Complaining to the point that they cannot even bring themselves to stand for our national anthem. I'm sick of it. Yes, I'm talking about Colin Kaepernick.

Sure, we have our issues in this country. Always have. Always will. Why? Because America is inhabited by earthlings -- and earthlings are fallen, flawed, in need of God's grace. Looking for perfection? Try another planet, where earthlings don't exist.

Yes, I know: Here in America, we get to express ourselves. This includes spoiled quarterbacks named Kaepernick. Fine. I get it. I acknowledge his right to complain, but I exercise my right to call bull. Bull!

There is something to be said for protesting. It is, after all, an American act. But I take umbrage at people getting rich off of what America offers and then choosing the most Americana moments to display un-American, ungrateful behavior.

Do racism and police brutality exist? Absolutely. But are the majority of Americans racist? Is the majority of police brutal? AbsolutelyÂ…not.

America is the place that offered Kaepernick an upbringing he would not have had without being adopted by a loving American couple. America is the place that provided him the opportunity to play a professional sport, something most experience only in their dreams. Americans gather in stadiums to see him throw a ball down a field, rejoice with his victories and hurt with his defeats. America pays his salary and makes his pockets fat. Nonetheless, he sits down on the job to make a point -- one that his lifestyle contradicts.

Since the Kaepernick controversy, people have commented about what the national anthem is really about and whether it's necessary to sing it at sporting events. The bottom line is the national anthem represents appreciation for our freedom, for our service members and for our fallen. Kaepernick chooses to dishonor this and sit -- or take a knee -- through it.

This is the same guy who wears socks depicting police as pigs. Distasteful, disrespectful and disappointing. Police officers are putting their "pig-tails" on the line every day, many now getting ambushed, as they serve those same communities about which Kaepernick purports to care. He comes across as a brat, with his childish socks and attention-seeking sits.

Throughout my years of teaching 7th-graders, it took me less than five minutes to impress upon them that the least we can do during our daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance was to stand and show respect for those who sacrifice for us. Those 12-year-olds got it. The lightbulbs came on. And yet this 28-year-old can't see why standing during the national anthem is the least he can do. My students stood not because America is perfect, but out of respect for what America represents and those who stand up for us.

So Kaepernick, yes, some changes would be good. Why not help make them? Why not get up off your butt and get the job done, rather than sitting down on the job? Be a catalyst for change, instead of being put-off by your country, which has been good to you. Even in its imperfection, America is better than any other nation. In fact, try that sit-down mess in North Korea or Russia or Anywhere Else. In a New York-minute, you'd be begging to return to the country that allows you to sit on a bench on a football field, where adoring fans gawk at athletes making butt-loads of money to run around smacking each other's butts. Your actions speak volumes to those who would still defend to the death your right to act a fool and dishonor their service.

I'll conclude with this comment I posted on social media: "I'm all about having meaningful discussions and expressing thoughts, but I have to say I find it nearly impossible to take anyone seriously who complains about this country to the point of dishonoring the national anthem while simultaneously getting rich off the opportunities this country provides. You want to sit down during the national anthem? Fine. When you sit down on your Made-in-the-USA paycheck, instead of spending it, I might take you seriously."

Adrienne Ross is an author, speaker, columnist, editor, educator and Southeast Missourian editorial board member. Reach her at aross@semissourian.com.