Culture Wars: Tim Tebow, Charlie Sheen and Black Lives

Indulge me for a moment. Imagine that it is 2011. Villain of the month Charlie Sheen's downward spiral has actually hit rock bottom with a drug induced car wreck that results in 3 injuries and the death of a 2 year old girl. Pictures of this little blond angel, named Olive, are all over media and the drumbeat for harsher DUI punishment is growing. It's Monday Night Football and at the start of the game Tim Tebow, known for "Tebowing" (kneeling in prayer after touchdowns) takes a knee during the National Anthem, holding an 8X10 photo of young Olive. The game goes on. The Broncos lose. In the after game interviews Tebow is asked about his pregame action. No consternation. No condemnation. Just questions. He explains that he wanted to take a moment while millions were watching to honor and pray for Olive, remind Americans of the tragedy and let her parents know that he supports them. He is asked if he believes there should be harsher punishment for these crimes and if people should be held accountable regardless of their celebrity. He says yes and the reporters move on to other questions. Now ask yourself this: Would you call his action disrespectful? Would Donald Trump? If a few other players followed his lead would you be offended? Would the issue of Olive's death be enveloped into a conversation of culture wars? This NFL/Anti-Military made up scandal is 100% about race. Period. Kneeling is not a sign of disrespect. People get on their knees to worship, take a knee to a superior in genuflection, to propose marriage, to demonstrate fealty and for many other reasons that show respect. It is not the action of not standing that garners outrage. It is WHY they aren't standing. It's WHO isn't standing. It's Black men kneeling in support of other Black men. Murdered Black men. When I hear news analysts and reporters frame this as part of the culture wars I take pause. Culture war usually refers to the conflict between conservative values and progressive values. Is it conservative or is it progressive to not want to be murdered with impunity? What is cultural about that? Invoking the term "culture" implies that there is something in our beliefs, customs and way of life that brings this type of violence upon us. And what is "war" but a violent conflict of which you must choose a side. America has chosen sides. I get it. For many people there is a visceral reaction to seeing those men on the football field, making a lot of money, not standing for the anthem. It's also an irritant that distracts from the beloved game of football. So be mad, be offended. Feel compelled to be defenders of the flag (though not the constitution), of the country, the military and a song. Just be honest with yourself about why you really feel this way.