Colin Kaepernick is once more in the news since #45 has started a rant against sports teams after they hurt his feelings when the NBA champions Warriors basketball player, Stephen Curry said he didn't want to go to the White House because of Trump causing such divisiveness in our country. Then Trump rescinded the White House invitation for the entire team.
He went on in tweets and speeches that sports teams should fire any player who doesn't respect the flag and condemned any player who didn't stand for the National Anthem. He even called them, "Sons of bitches."
He was referring to players who were backing Colin Kaepernick who decided to kneel during the playing of the national anthem to show his support of Black Lives Matter and protesting police violence against African Americans.
From all I've read, Kaepernick is a very religious Christian man. He is an activist who donates a lot of money and time to charitable works.
He carefully chose a peaceful way to protest what he is seeing in this country. This was a very interesting article in the Washington Post about Kaepernick's religious ideals.
There was also a comparison to Tim Tebow's religious act of kneeling.
The Washington Post article also stated, "I understand that Kaepernick first chose to sit for the anthem, then changed his mind to kneel to show greater respect for the American military, after a conversation with a veteran."
And what happened? He became a pariah. No team has signed him this year from what I understand. He's gotten death threats and become the most hated player in the NFL according to a poll.
So here is a very devout Christian who felt it was important to show his support for African Americans who have been discriminated against and to do so in the most peaceful way he could. He needed to do something to bring attention to a situation where prejudice is rearing its ugly head. He didn't turn his back on the flag or burn it or give it the finger or any other repulsive thing. He chose a Christian position of kneeling.
It reminded me of a poem by Langston Hughes that I saw in the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. this summer.
What's happening in this country scares me now.
Hatred and anger are being fueled through tweets and other social media.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. of NASCAR quoted JFK, "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
America is not looking like the nation I was proud of.
It's sad, very sad.
He went on in tweets and speeches that sports teams should fire any player who doesn't respect the flag and condemned any player who didn't stand for the National Anthem. He even called them, "Sons of bitches."
From all I've read, Kaepernick is a very religious Christian man. He is an activist who donates a lot of money and time to charitable works.
He carefully chose a peaceful way to protest what he is seeing in this country. This was a very interesting article in the Washington Post about Kaepernick's religious ideals.
There was also a comparison to Tim Tebow's religious act of kneeling.
The Washington Post article also stated, "I understand that Kaepernick first chose to sit for the anthem, then changed his mind to kneel to show greater respect for the American military, after a conversation with a veteran."
And what happened? He became a pariah. No team has signed him this year from what I understand. He's gotten death threats and become the most hated player in the NFL according to a poll.
So here is a very devout Christian who felt it was important to show his support for African Americans who have been discriminated against and to do so in the most peaceful way he could. He needed to do something to bring attention to a situation where prejudice is rearing its ugly head. He didn't turn his back on the flag or burn it or give it the finger or any other repulsive thing. He chose a Christian position of kneeling.
What's happening in this country scares me now.
Hatred and anger are being fueled through tweets and other social media.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. of NASCAR quoted JFK, "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
America is not looking like the nation I was proud of.
It's sad, very sad.
Very sad. And also very powerful.
ReplyDeleteIt's become a bit of a nuthouse down there.
ReplyDeleteWe watch and wonder with you ~ Cathy
ReplyDeleteIt's really pissed of the racists down here. I was glad to see most NFL players lately give a big F U to Trump
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about what's going on in the US.
ReplyDeleteWish the 49ers hadn't let him go!
ReplyDeletethank you for this.
ReplyDeleteTaking a knee has another meaning. In field sports like football and soccer, kids are taught to take a knee when a player gets hurt. Yesterday I took a knee in front of my TV while my Seahawks stayed in the locker room during the national anthem. I took a knee in support, and because we are all injured by the hatred and divisiveness promoted by our president.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. I plan to read this article. Tom already read it and recommended it.
I wonder where all of this will end? I hope it will end. I hope somebody comes along and can unite the country.
ReplyDeleteIt is scary, Kay. I hope today's young adults realize how serious it is to have a president throwing threats at dangerous countries. I have to hope and pray that there are enough sensible Americans to get this president out or survive and halt his antics, and vote for a better leader. Unfortunately, the few continuing supporters will always thrive on his garbage speeches and lies, since they will not research and think for themselves.
ReplyDeleteThere is an entry today on ABC internet news, but earlier a better article on CBS, explaining why our president is actually picking fights with anything connected with the NFL. Not only did DJT own a team with the now-defunct US football league, he barreled into a meeting boasting how he'd be a great NFL owner. They said he'd never be an owner because they recognized him for what he truly is. He missed a couple of chances to own a team but his choices and behaviors didn't permit it to happen.
It's certainly about race and lack of equality, but continues to be because DJT doesn't like "no" when he doesn't get what he wants. I think we need to be proud that so many of us can try to get the president in line, when years ago, we wouldn't have thought the need to suggest that cussing in public and offending mothers of any sons wasn't polite.
May the Great Spirit help us, and the people of Hawaii show the world what Aloha is really like.
Linda in Kansas
Wow! I didn't know so much of this. Sigh...
DeleteI am watching and despairing for my country. It's a very sad day when the leader of the free world behaves like a belligerent child. I am very sad about it all and trying just to keep my head above water. :-(
ReplyDeleteYes, it sure is. I'm embarrassed.
ReplyDeleteSuch a peaceful and respectful protest and 45 is using it to deflect the subject about all his failures and possible indictments. If there is any hope, my sister who is a Trump supporter, called me yesterday and lamented,"Does he ever think before he speaks?" He might just be losing some of his base. We can only hope.
ReplyDeleteI feel a sense of shame.
ReplyDeleteThe N.F.L. may find there is now some political will to remove their tax-exempt status, and to have them pay tax at the same rate as other Americans.
ReplyDeleteThese fellers may not have thought this one right through to the end before they started giving the middle finger to the flag.
I really feel they did not give the middle finger to the flag. They were protesting police brutality against minorities. They are also showing solidarity against the divisive language of the current president.
DeleteI just checked Snopes and it's not exactly true that they are all tax exempt.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/nflexempt.asp
Snopes hasn't been entirely reliable since he cheated on his wife (who did all the hard yard for research) and she ditched him.
DeleteHowever, they're good enough for today. The NFL's league office does get substantial tax breaks as a "trade organisation". This may now end.
The average football fan draws less than $40,000 per year - there won't be much sympathy for billion dollar leagues, or for players on annual contracts of $10 million or more.
Even Canadians are fearing. #45 is inspiring racist rallies here.
ReplyDeleteThe racism in some parts of the US is shocking, still. If you haven't, listen to This American Life show, we must listen to their stories, as Black Lives Matter. The notion of slavery is still embedded in some cultural parts of the southern US.