What is a symbol? What does it mean? People universally recognize the thumbs-up or down symbol being good or bad. The thumb becomes the symbol. If someone or something intentionally removes my thumb, it stops conveyance of my message and disrespects me as a whole.

The American flag, national anthem and the American Eagle are symbols of our country. They symbolize our Constitution, our history and our fight for freedom and justice. The symbols represent our American image.

When the American flag, national anthem or American Eagle are dishonored and disrespected, you are not only disrespecting the symbol, but larger you are disrespecting the image of our country … you are destroying the country’s thumb.

When injustice and bigotry occur, uplift the very symbols that represent equality under the law as opposed to disrespecting them. You should sing the anthem, wave the flag and hold our symbols high. Fight for those symbols that others have died for and carry that banner proudly into your fight against injustice and bigotry.

Yes, injustice and bigotry occur. Yes government is replete with greed, injustice and corruption. No, justice is not always served, but to betray symbols that are contrary to corruption and injustice is getting it exactly wrong.

Have NFL players thought through the effects of their actions? Are they so naive as to not know they are giving a thumbs-down to our country by disrespecting the symbols that represent us.

People claim NFL players highlight a cause and show unity. Their protest helped no cause, and unity failed as our country is more divided. Therein lies the problem: Disrespecting cherished symbols does not remove injustice, bigotry or hate … it galvanizes the divide between us.

I support peaceful protest and applaud amplifying injustice and corruption with the hope of stamping it out … but to disrespect the symbols that represent the best of us and what our country is working to achieve is getting it exactly wrong.

Terry Watto

Lehighton