Why I stand...

Players take a knee, stare at the big screen,

They scream this country is a wreck;

Wronged by you and me and everyone in between,

But of course they still cash that check.

A privileged young man started this procession,

But his reasons have such a rotten stench;

Complaining weekly of imagined oppression,

Which he was fine with, until he was benched.

And watching this drama, millions still wait,

and pray an American they could be.

They can't believe how we can be so ingrate,

while living in the land of the free.

They know not why some moan and pout,

And believe no minority succeeds in this land.

But brave souls who fought wild oceans can shout,

and proclaim the truth they live first hand

And the truth still is that whomever you may be,

Black, white, yellow or brown;

This America, the great equalizer is she,

To all who seek it, she offers a crown.

Today her symbol of hope - Ole Glory our flag,

is being trampled on the public stage;

But each star and stripe on that blessed rag,

Overcomes this anger, hate and rage.

Now cry out loud, shout if you will,

Change may come at a very slow pace;

But don't forget how good we have it still,

And millions would kill to take our place.

As we saw this week, our lives are much too short,

No race, gender, or belief has immunity;

But last thing on our minds is how millionaires play their sport,

We choose to focus on what creates true unity

So this “American By Choice” may take a hit,

By those who scorn and spit in the sand;

But knows just because we have the freedom to sit,

Is exactly the reason we should stand.