Summary:
A refresher course may be warranted to avoid the embarrassment of having others misinterpret our knee gestures.
Bending or taking a knee is a complex issue that can evoke a range of emotions.
One person or group may view the act as a protest to draw attention to social deprivation issues.
Another person may take a knee as a radical act and garner attention for their cause, which may be misguided.
Another may interpret it as an acknowledgment of respect, dignity, faith, devotion, humility, or supplication toward God.
The contractor may need to kneel to drive nails into the framing of a new structure. No one pays any attention to work-related requirements to kneel because there is no emotional sensationalism attached.
The mechanic may need to kneel to unbolt a flat tire on a car. The same applies; no one pays attention because there is no emotional sensationalism attached.
How about the landscaper, the horse shoer, the plumber, the air conditioner, the roofer, the electrician, the mason, and the occupational therapist? No one mentions these kneeling requirements.
When a conversation about kneeling arises, it often leads to sensationalism and drama; otherwise, no one even notices or cares.
Article:
Complex and diametrically opposing issues invite us to contemplate the various perspectives, stimulating our intellect and keeping us engaged in the discussion.
Differentiating between cultural, historical, and religious values vs. radicalization is noted.
Radicalization is a form of Marxism that allows an elitist group to gain power over society through top-down collectivism and a redistributive structure.
The radicalization takes the form of a government as a monopolistic cabal, laced with bureaucratic labor union members who possess collective bargaining rights and preferential treatment.
In today’s hypersensitive environment, where social issues are at the forefront of public discourse, two seemingly simple physical gestures can evoke opposing emotions.
The Media, driven by the need to increase viewership and sensationalism, will jump at the opportunity to support whichever view is in their best interest.
This environment is characterized by heightened emotions and polarized perspectives, making it crucial to understand the context in which these gestures are made. Emphasizing the need for context will help the audience feel more informed and knowledgeable about the issues, empowering them to form their own opinions. It’s crucial to remember that some people may become irritated by actions or displays of emotion that reflect a different value system.
However, it’s equally important to recognize that there are multiple valid perspectives. By emphasizing the importance of considering various perspectives, the audience will feel encouraged to be open-minded and tolerant, even in the face of differing opinions—his approach fosters a culture of tolerance and understanding.
The key to navigating these complex issues is engaging in respectful dialogue. It’s essential to remember that everyone’s values and beliefs are worthy of consideration. However, respectful dialogue isn’t possible unless radicalization gets in the way. In such cases, uncompromising ideologies may lead to destruction and annihilation.
Most of us have attempted to engage in a conversation with a person who is narrowly focused and ideologically driven. Two things come to mind: one is irrational, and the other raises your blood pressure out of dismay and disgust.
Some people get out of bed offended, spend the day looking for ways to get even more offended, and then go home and go to bed still offended. It is virtually impossible not to offend these people.
Having a phone or online conversation can result in both perplexity and repulsion, which can lead to high blood pressure and anxiety. Alcohol may provide temporary relief.
Attempting a rational phone conversation about a substance will be considered offensive. Yes, you are guaranteed to be wrong if you are willing to waste your time.
Take a knee.. Lowering your body and displaying a one-knee vertical position may acknowledge anguish and protest for social causes such as Black Lives Matter.
This identical physical gesture may also display respect and reverence for another.
a)In the rules of a football game, taking a knee by a quarterback after receiving the ball as a fair catch is a signal to stop the game temporarily. A quarterback may take a knee on consecutive plays to waste 40 seconds each time, allowing the clock to run out. Topping the clock is a strategic offensive and defensive weapon used to stall for time when the action appears to advance the team’s agenda.
b) In the military, taking the knee is a tradition. It is a sign of respect for another, such as a fallen soldier, or simply a short rest while on a mission. In the Army, taking a knee means that you or your group may pause, take a breath, step back, and assess the situation.
c)In a religious context, taking a knee means kneeling in prayer to acknowledge one’s faith, respect, and relationship to a higher power, deity, God, or multiple gods, or for a fallen friend. Additionally, some parishioners may take a knee as a custom or symbol of worship or devotion. It may be traditional or compulsory.
d)Taking a knee can also become a symbol of rejection of alleged systematic racial discrimination in policing and law enforcement. It may also symbolize the rejection of alleged racial bias, segregation, or substandard working conditions.
e)Martin Luther King Jr.’s act of taking a knee during a civil rights march in Selma, Alabama, in 1965 is a powerful example of the historical context of these gestures. King’s gesture was viewed as a prayer, a symbol of kneeling on behalf of the rights of blacks during the civil rights movement. This historical context enriches our understanding of the significance of these gestures.
f)Taking a knee has now become acceptable to demonstrate against alleged racial brutality or segregation. Thousands of people now demonstrate against the deaths of black men killed by police. Even police officers, other law enforcement agents, mayors, US senators, and civic leaders are kneeling to symbolize solidarity with protestors.
g)No one takes a knee for the 1000s of young black people murdered by other black people. Gang violence and territorial protection rackets are considered acceptable because it does not sell advertising slots on mainstream news channels. Just study the statistics in Chicago, and you will be appalled. Whose lives matter is about money and power.
h)Law enforcement leaders have even advised their forces to take a knee during Black Lives Matter protest events and warned that there would be negative retribution if they refused. This is hypocritical on the part of the administrative state and the police forces because many BLM demonstrations have descended into anarchy and violent attacks on police officers, private businesses, and government offices.
i)The problem is that the symbol of solidarity with protestors has now gotten intertwined with the symbolism of overthrowing the Presidency of Donald Trump, combined with replacing our capitalist system with socialism and communism.
j)Almost all the money donated to the Black Lives Matter outreach goes for expenses and donations to the Democratic Party. Look up the webpage and follow the donation section. You must agree to ActBlue’s terms and conditions. Visit the ActBlue website and review their donation records. Almost 100% of the funds go to the Democratic Party and its operatives. My next article will prove this.
k)Having police officers and other public officials taking the knee during this national upheaval of the COVID crisis, economic distress of families and businesses, extremely high unemployment, and overly burdensome responses by government is troublesome, if not downright tyrannical. These events are being used as disguised gestures by demonstrators, rioters, and looters to promote the rejection of capitalism and welcome its replacement with socialism and communism.
l)Some professional sports players have and will continue taking the knee during ceremonial presentations such as the National Anthem. Their kneeling represents a protest of the alleged unfair treatment of African Americans. Notice again that I said ‘alleged.’ Other than micro-isolated events, systemic racism is minimal.
m)Many participants view taking a knee as disrespecting the US Flag and the National Anthem, especially when most stand out of respect.
n)Colin Kaepernick is the most prominent professional athlete who displays the ability to take a knee position. He repeatedly took a knee during the National Anthem in support of what he refers to as a prayerful protest about the plight of black people in America during the National Anthem at major NFL football games. Colin Kaepernick stated, I am not going to stand up and show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.
Bending the knee and lowering your body to a one-knee position is a historically significant display of subservience to another or a traditional gesture that dates back thousands of years.
a)Throughout history, people have been bending the knee as an act of respect and humility. For centuries, they have been kneeling and genuflecting before kings, queens, popes, and other dignitaries.
c) An eager potential husband may practice bending his knee to ask their bride to take their hand in the bond and sacrament of marriage. Proposing marriage or engagement is a long-standing tradition in many societies worldwide. This gesture symbolizes a wholehearted commitment to the woman, without reservation, and to himself to become a couple. His tradition of a man (or woman) proposing on bended knee originated from medieval knights bowing before their noblewomen.
Don't look up, and don’t look down,
You don’t dare make the white boss frown,
Bend your knees and bow your head.
Pull that rope until you’re dead.
This dramatization portrayed the white boss as a threat and an enemy, but it was written and modified to this form about 100 years after slavery was abolished.
e) On 6 December 1865, the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery in the United States was introduced and passed by Congress. The Amendment was ratified into law on 18 December 1865, and officially adopted as the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Slavery was abolished in the United States, and it provided that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to its jurisdiction.
Getting down on two knees - Get down on your knees, as in, get down on your knees and pray. Yes, both knees may be preferable to maintain tradition and avoid others misinterpreting your intentions. Getting down on two knees is safer and less painful. Some may even prefer knee pads. Getting up is another question.
a) Getting down on your knees appears in hundreds of books, such as the Bible, and songs from rock classics, country, folk, blues, spirituals, and hymns.
b) My favorite rock song lyrics include “Get down on my knees and pray,” which was sung by the English rock band The Who in “Wont Get Fooled Again.” The song was written by Pete Townshend and released in June 1971. This incredible eight-and-a-half-minute beauty is one of my personal 100 all-time favorites.
As you listen to this mega classic, be prepared to energize your entire system. Then, you can get down on your knees and pray. Here is the YouTube source.
https /www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHhrZgojY1I’lltip my hat to the new constitution, take a bow for the new revolution, smile and grin at the change all around, pick up my guitar and play—just like yesterday.. Then I’ll get on my knees and pray. We don’t get fooled again. No, no!
A Time for Choosing, a speech delivered by Ronald Reagan on 27 October 19644, with note cards as references. The famous line about a commentator interpreting a conversation with Khrushchev is one in which he says an American would rather live on his knees than die on his feet. This was about the UUS population agreeing to submit to communism.
And what then, when Nikita Khrushchev told his people he knew our answer? They said to them that we were retraining under the pressure of the Cold War. Someday, when the time comes to deliver the final ultimatum, our surrender will be voluntary because, then, we will have been spiritually, morally, and economically weakened from within. He believes this because, from our side, he’s heard voices pleading for “peace at any price” or “better Red than dead,” or as one commentator put it, he’d rather “live on his knees than die on his feet.” And therein lies the road to war because those voices don’t speak for the rest of us.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8_QuqquVAY
Stooping is another option. One must bend the body forward and downward while simultaneously bending the knees. This requires a degree of fitness to carry out confidently without looking awkward or pitiful. Getting up is another question. One may appear somewhat spastic or unorthodox in their effort to get up, depending upon age and fitness.
Stumbling down on all fours may be accidental when one cannot see straight or drinks too much to stand up straight. How about FreAstaire’s's dance scene in Holiday Inn when he showed up at the festive event drunk and famously danced with an unidentified partner until he fell on all fours and passed out?
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xwcgja
Hopefully, this performance is nonexistent or a rare proposition for most people. How about a desperate plea for forgiveness that may require all fours?
Caution for our elders: Please be aware that pain may occur when attempting any of the exercises mentioned above. I prefer standing or sitting in all cases to avoid vicarious misinterpretation or physical pain. I feel comfortable looking unorthodox and out of place while standing or sitting. I also do not want younger people to scurry around to help me get up. Pity is a painful proposition. Any assistance would be embarrassing and a display of weakness.
Frankly, I will sit this one out in my comfortable leather recliner and watch the whole wacky exercise unfold.
This concludes my primer on using one or more knees in our current hypersensitivity-laced society.