famous person says ...

Please stand for our National Anthem ...

Okay, you don't really have to, for a couple of reasons: 1) I'm not sure which country you're reading this in; and 2) even I were to play the National Anthem of any given country, you wouldn't hear it anyway because this is a blog post and you are reading and can't hear what's going on here. Please remain seated (or lay down or stand on your head --whatever you like).

I was merely referencing current events. No, not the current events about threats to the end of humanity or ongoing war or natural disasters. No, not those. I was referring to football players choosing to protest inequities by not being present for or kneeling for the National Anthem of the United States prior to football games. Some people see this as disrespectful to a variety of things including the United States, U.S. Veterans, and Donald Trump.

Feel what you like about this issue, but I am very intrigued by one criticism that keeps popping up.

These players gets paid millions of dollars to play football and they're lucky to be able to do that and receive that salary. Somehow, this means they're supposed to not say anything because the system, as it currently stands, benefits them. They have fame and fortune, so what do they have to complain about?

A similar criticism is leveled at other celebrities of all political persuasions who have political opinions. The assumption is that they are abusing their position by stating their beliefs, and that somehow they are unqualified to have opinions on the basis of their participation in the arts or sports.

Here's the thing: they are citizens, too.

Are they in a peculiar position? 

Absolutely. People listen to them --lots of people listen to them. 

Does that mean that they cannot have or state their political beliefs? 

No. 

And what makes them qualified to have political beliefs? 

I would respond to this question with a question. My question would be, what the hell kind of question is that? 

Are you? Yes? 

Am I? Yes? 

Then why on Earth would they be any different?

Like any other citizen, one would hope that the politically-minded celebrity would educate themselves on the issue they are interested in. Sometimes, they don't.

Guess what, though: we do that, too. And it is up to us, not them, to consider how we form our opinions. They simply get the issue publicity by virtue of choosing to speak publicly. It is up to us to decide if we agree or disagree by seeking out additional information. It doesn't mean they shouldn't speak their mind. Freedom of speech applies to all citizens.

I personally am happy to live in a place where all citizens are encouraged to participate in political discourse, be it for the status quo or against it. I am encouraged that people who are in otherwise very comfortable positions choose to deflect some of that glory onto people who don't always get heard. I am thankful for nonviolent protest because it shows us where things aren't working or where we need more dialogue.

Anyhow, you can agree with what a famous person says or disagree with them --just like you can with your uncle or coworker or stranger on the street corner. Their opinions hold no more importance than any of those other citizens, and I think that's where confusion comes into the situation.

Civic engagement can take many forms, and that's a good thing.