I used to love professional baseball. When we lived in Cincinnati, we used to go to games a lot (I took my son to opening day when he was 9-months old!), and it’s the kind of sport you can watch at home and do other things; fold laundry, make dinner, take a nap. I loved the calmness of it and the skills of the players too. Then, in 1994, the season ended abruptly, punishing the fans by canceling the postseason. Since then, I have only been to one professional game, and that was because my son spent his hard-earned money, and I had no choice but to go and enjoy the game. We had a great time at what was then a brand-new Philadelphia stadium, so no complaints here. Still, while I will attend minor league baseball games, I won’t spend my money on the pros. I can’t abide by that kind of greed.
In that almost 30-year span, I have never organized a boycott against MLB. I haven’t physically attacked a player or coach or owner, nor have I denigrated anyone else for supporting the sport. Sure, I make snide remarks to irk people, but that is all in good fun and not part of any kind of blood vendetta. And if anyone asks my opinion, I tell them my reason, and I move on. This is a personal choice; you are free to do what you like.
As I watch Bud Light being boycotted, Target being canceled, or any other of a number of businesses that have offended the tender hearts of Americans across the country, I wonder where this self-righteous indignation and violent protest comes from. I understand why they might disagree; I am the king of pet peeves. I don’t understand where they get off shooting beer cans or stomping on clothing they think is offensive. When did we go from expressing our opinions to trying to force everyone else to do what we want and live the way we live? Where do people get off thinking their opinion matters more than mine? I boycotted Exxon for many years after the Valdez spill in Alaska, and I explained why, but I didn’t try to set explosives to their tankers. I tried to get the NNJ United Methodist Church to move its annual conference from Drew University when that college wouldn’t divest from S. Africa during apartheid, but I didn’t hold them hostage. You and I have free speech and the right to peaceful protest, but we don’t have the right to throw our moral indignation around until the whole world dances to our tune.
You want to tell me why you don’t buy a certain product? I’m all ears. You want to force me to not read certain books because they offend you somehow? Just stop talking. Your opinion matters to me, but you aren’t the boss of me. Live your life and let me live mine and keep your self-righteous protest to yourself. One of us – or both of us – might be right or wrong. As long as nobody is in danger, mind your own business. And I will mind mine. We can agree to disagree, but that’s as far as most things should go. That’s what grown-ups do.
Prayer – Thank You, God for free will and each person’s uniqueness. Save us from self-righteousness and help us to grow into who You hope we will be. Amen.