C.D. - The Idolatry Associated with Flags and Statues

As-Salaam-Alaikum (God's Peace with you),

Whether it's the volatile and deadly events in Charlottesville, Virginia, or the Colin Kaepernick not able to land a job in the NFL. one thing for certain, is that human beings, far and wide, hold dear, too dear, the nationalistic/patriotic flags and commemorative statues of nationl heroes and unfortunately, the Prophets of Allah (Prayers and Peace be Upon Them).

Certainly, nations have a right to an identifying flag or banner, and our outstanding personalities should be remembered, and their good example, followed, but can we go too far, in our reception of these entities?

Has Colin Kaepernick committed blasphemy, by refusing to stand for the American flag, during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner? Is the [obvious] backlash and blacklisting of him, by NFL owners, fair? Should we as a community, speak out in his defense? Frankly, I'm tiring of football, anyway. But, that's for another discussion.

Given the President comments on the melee in Virginia, as he was critical of both sides' behavior, one would think, his citing the 1st Amendment rights of those who protested the removal of the statue of Robert E. Lee, that he would have respected Mr, Kaepernick's. But, some may accuse me, as many have,the President, of a misguided "moral equivalence" between the two (notice, how Democrats can now, so freely, speak about morals?)

So, I am trying to understand the motivations behind our obsession with flags, images and statues, that causes such strong feelings. Are people really that bothered by the statues, honoring Civil War personalities, or is it more about rankling those, they perceive as conservative, thus "haters"? Do black people really believe, our condition wili improve our lot (I'm afraid to guess the answer).

Also, we remember the birthday of Marcus Mosiah Garvey.

One God, One Aim, One Destiny!