Kneeling during the national anthem and claims of disrespect

[masterpanthera_t]

(07-25-2020, 06:45 PM)Sociopathicsteelerfan Wrote: I wanted to make this point in the other thread, but I can see why it was closed. I’ve mentioned before the officer who I supervise and the discussions we like to have on current events and issues. One of those topics was kneeling during the national anthem.

While I have my issues with Kaepernick, and don’t find him to be an honest actor, I do believe that the majority of people kneeling during the anthem are not doing it to disrespect the flag or nation. But here’s the rub, you don’t get to tell other people that they can’t find the action disrespectful. You can explain that your intent is not to disrespect the flag or nation, but when you’re then told that people still find the action disrespectful you have a choice to make. Keep doing what you’re doing in full knowledge that some people find it offensive and disrespectful or stop doing it. Either decision is fine, especially in a country that still values free speech. But what you absolutely cannot logically do is tell people they can’t, or shouldn’t, find the kneeling offensive or disrespectful.

The officer I haves these discussions with hates the word “boss”. She’s told me she feels that way because the entomology of the word is a Dutch word whose direct translation is “master.”  Now, knowing this I could still use the word boss in front of her and claim I’m not using it in an offensive manner. But because she has let me know she finds the word offensive and why, if I use it in her presence I do so in full knowledge that she will be offended.

So, in summation, kneel if you feel doing so makes the statement you want to make. Just don’t claim it’s not offensive because a large number of people have told you they find it offensive. Your intent may not be to offend, but you kneel in full knowledge that in so doing you are offending people.

Please keep the responses civil guys, I know this is an emotional topic.

My thoughts on the overall subject is much too complicated that it requires a great bit of articulation which I am not in place to do atm.

I will address just the analogy. I agree one cannot tell another not find an action offensive. But in your analogy, suppose you have another boss ( let's say your boss), who insists that everyone reporting to him calls him "boss". Now if you choose not to address him this way in front of the other employee, well you just offended him (let's simplify and say that you did so knowing he would find it offensive). That's part of what's going on here, no? That people are finding offense that another person didn't commit an action that they want done, rather than commit an action which is "wrong"? Essentially that a symbol doesn't symbolize the same idea to the other that it does to them? Sorry to belabor the point, but if you do something that's offensive to me might be slightly different vs. you don't do something that I want you to do, essentially I'm going to pressure you to do, even if you don't want to do it? 

I think ultimately the question should be "well, why don't you feel the same way about this symbol that I do"? Instead of, "this symbol should feel a certain way to you as it does to me, and anything else just makes you .... unpatriotic, dishonorable, offensive or any other negative adjective"? That is, the conversation never progresses past the initial reaction. The merits can be judged once the conversation is actually had to its fullest depth.

Apologies in advance for the rambling. Admittedly not enough time to organize my thoughts as fully or clearly as I would like.

EDIT:
I fully realize "not standing" is also an action. But my question is about should we treat someone's words or deeds directly in offense against somebody, the same (especially in degree) as an inaction or not expressing a certain sentiment that they may honestly not feel, being offensive to others. For instance, if someone slurs a person, is that offense not greater than someone choosing not to speak greatly of something even if many find that thing to be great? A bit redundant, I realize, but I'm erring on the side of redundancy just to clarify my point.