Sing Gladys, sing

Many who fancy themselves as gatekeepers of freedom are thwarting  many constitutional values in attempts to protest Gladys Knight’s singing of the National Anthem for the  53^rd Super Bowl.  Knight’s strength of character should be applauded in stating “I am here to give the National

Anthem back its voice.”

Colin Kaepernick seems to have been “Black Balled” from further participation in the National

Football League because he chose to take a knee during the playing of the National Anthem in

protest against his perception of police violence and injustices via  inequalities and racism which

still exists in the USA.  Many believe that African Americans and those of color should not by their

participation or support of the Super Bowl sanction such.   If this thought pattern were to hold,

there could be no game since 50—74%  of the NFL players (per the Huffington Post) are black.

Agree or disagree, Kaeprenick has had the courage to put it all on the line for what he believes.

Few other of today’sprofessional high paid athletes and entertainers have been willing to stand for

their beliefs at such a cost.

Unfortunately the “liberal agenda or far left movement is guilty of much the same

 thing which they accuse the conservative movement.   The suppression of free

thought,  Freedom of assembly and Free speech unless involving those they support which is

fundamentally  the antithesis of the US Constitution.  In polarizing populations into “isms” whether

by color—racism, sex—sexism (sexist), religion—anti-Semitism (against Jews) or other epithets

which speak to the worst in us, efforts to bind and heal the nation are thwarted.

Rightly so, Gladys Knight stated as  a ‘hometown girl’ of Atlanta, GA,  where the Super Bowl will be

held,  has notably given more and likely stood front and center for issues of civil

rights  much longer than those opposing her participation in this spectacle.  Knight has a right to

sing and bring honor to our country which is still the land of liberty. . .“O'er the land of the free and

the home of the brave!”

Most have learned only the first verse of our anthem.  Within its other verses are hallmarks of who we are as a nation brought forth through the perils of war… “O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,

Between their lov'd homes. . . Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"  O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!  . . .And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave.  O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!”

I’ll be listening on February 3, 2019 to hear Ms. Knight’s singing of the National Anthem in hopes that it will touch our souls as did that from Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin renditions.