I generally try to keep my opinion to myself, unless asked, I try to not argue on other’s thoughts or post on social media and I especially try to avoid conversations that involve politics and religion; especially in this climate. I believe everyone is entitled to their opinions, and that everyone has one. I also believe that at some point one must walk away because it should be obvious that if you spend enough time arguing a point, neither individual is going to change their minds. That being said, I feel one needs to be objective and willing to look at all things, and seriously try to see the other side of the argument.

“I don’t care what country you come from, you came to the United States of America! You are free to share your customs, your holidays, your foods, your religion and your flag. If you are offended by my customs, my religion, my holidays, my food, my flag and expect me to remove them in MY country you are wrong. I see no reason why we can’t co-exist, but i will not lose my rights for you. I will not hide my flag, will not take a knee during the national anthem, and I Will say the pledge of Allegiance with pride and say ‘under God.’ IF you don’t like what America is about of what it stands for, you are free to leave.”

The unpopular fact here lately, but this country that we call the United States of America was already inhabited before white men and women set foot on it. A point, in fact, the Wampanoag people (Indians) were here before the pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock. Remember why pilgrims left Europe? It was to seek religious freedom. (Let’s ignore that we then tried to convert the Natives to Christianity and did not understand their customs or beliefs, al the while telling them how and why they were wrong.)

Interestingly enough when we (and I say we Meaning white anglo European’s) brought African’s here to work our fields, we tried to tell them how to believe, how to practice their religions, and that as white people we were better then they were and that they were merely property to do with as we wished. We frown at their holidays we comment on their customs and rituals. Sounds real welcoming to me.

The same behavior has been portrayed to every race. Muslim’s we call towel heads, as well as many other derogatory names, we tell them they need to practice our religions, we destroy their religious buildings. We attack them physically. Welcoming behavior. Mexicans, Japanese, Chinese, all have experienced attacks on their person, their homes, their beliefs.

None of the above, as a race of people have been offended by our beliefs. The post says that “I will not lose my rights for you,” interesting since it hasn’t been very long ago that black people actually were given “rights”. The right to be free, the right to vote…think about that. “I will not take a knee..” I don’t believe anyone expects you to. I do believe that you however are expecting someone to behave as YOU want them to. YOU want people to stand for the pledge of allegiance to put their hands on their hearts and recite because you believe. What if they do not? They are wrong and unamerican and should get out. Yup Welcoming.

THAT is not in my point of view co-existing, that is once again us good upstanding white people telling others how to behave.