NFL Anthem Policy

[punch it in]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

I think it’s interesting that these players decided to kneel during the anthem to draw attention to a real social injustice in this country, but no one is talking about that injustice - the discussion is all about the form of protest the players chose. No ones talking about the treatment of person of color by law enforcement. Everyone’s just arguing about whether or not these players should be allowed to protest in a manner that many Americans find disrespectful. Instead of furthering a cause, the players have made this about themselves.

I think the league handled this situation about as bad as it possibly could. But i do also blame the players for this mess. They should have quickly recognized that using their platform in this manner was unproductive and not achieving their desired result. They should have switched gears and engaged in a form of protest (or other activism) where the MESSAGE will be the focus instead of the way in which it’s delivered.




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The players cant help if a group ( a big, powerful, white group) of people choose to turn a blind eye to the heart of the matter and paint them as unpatriotic hooligans. I think that it certainly pushed racism to the forefront. The question now is do people care? Usually if a certain cause does not directly affect someone they probably will not care about it. Sad but true.


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[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by punch it in

The players cant help if a group ( a big, powerful, white group) of people choose to turn a blind eye to the heart of the matter and paint them as unpatriotic hooligans. I think that it certainly pushed racism to the forefront. The question now is do people care? Usually if a certain cause does not directly affect someone they probably will not care about it. Sad but true.


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You’re missing the point - those big powerful white (possible closet racists) are there and in power. You can’t ignore that. That is reality. Because of the noise these powerful men (and their constituents) have made, the discussion has changed from what they supposedly wanted it to be. Instead of talking about white cops killing young black men, were talking about young black men allegedly disrespecting the flag.

The conversation has changed. they have it in their power to redirect the conversation back to what’s really important, but they’ve chosen not to. I blame them for not finding a new strategy to use their platform to get people talking about IMPORTANT things again. We’ll never see progress if both sides just keep digging their heels in and doing the same things.


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[punch it in]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

You’re missing the point - those big powerful white (possible closet racists) are there and in power. You can’t ignore that. That is reality. Because of the noise these powerful men (and their constituents) have made, the discussion has changed from what they supposedly wanted it to be. Instead of talking about white cops killing young black men, were talking about young black men allegedly disrespecting the flag.

The conversation has changed. they have it in their power to redirect the conversation back to what’s really important, but they’ve chosen not to. I blame them for not finding a new strategy to use their platform to get people talking about IMPORTANT things again. We’ll never see progress if both sides just keep digging their heels in and doing the same things.


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Well BLM doesn’t hold their protests during the National Anthem and the same white folks call bullshit on them. I hear what you are saying but I am just saying minds are made up already and racists will never give a crap about a dead black man no matter what the platform. Racism is a disease just like cancer and unfortunately they both find a way to hang around. To paint the kneelers as unpatriotic is just crap that is all im saying really. I wish i had a cure for racism. I wish i had a cure for cancer. I don’t. All I can do is call bullshit bullshit when I see it. Gives me some sense of satisfaction I guess.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by punch it in

Well BLM doesn’t hold their protests during the National Anthem and the same white folks call bullshit on them. I hear what you are saying but I am just saying minds are made up already and racists will never give a crap about a dead black man no matter what the platform. Racism is a disease just like cancer and unfortunately they both find a way to hang around. To paint the kneelers as unpatriotic is just crap that is all im saying really. I wish i had a cure for racism. I wish i had a cure for cancer. I don’t. All I can do is call bullshit bullshit when I see it. Gives me some sense of satisfaction I guess.

I agree that minds made up to be racists won’t be changed, but they’re not the “target audience.” It’s the average person. More specifically, the average white person or person of privilege who has never personally encountered prejudice at the hands of the police. People who are genuinely clueless and who form their opinions based on what they see on tv or read on the internet from sources they think in they can trust - the talking heads in the media. This is in many ways a divided country, but the one thing that should unite us is our love for our country (however flaws it is) and the freedoms it theoretically entitles to all its citizens. But because the players have chosen to protest in a manner that can be twisted to seem unpatriotic, they’ve immediately lost the chance to win over the “undecided” hearts and minds of millions of Americans. Instead of opening sincere but ignorant minds to injustice, they’ve given an opportunity for shitty powerful men to shut that door closed.

You are 100 percent right - it is bullshit. But simply calling it bullshit isn’t going to change anything. I don’t expect loud prejudiced men like Donald trump to change their minds. But other people could. It’s not smart to alienate them. A critical mass must be reached so that there is a change in public opinion. What they’ve tried so far isn’t working. It’s time to try something else.


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[punch it in]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

I agree that minds made up to be racists won’t be changed, but they’re not the “target audience.” It’s the average person. More specifically, the average white person or person of privilege who has never personally encountered prejudice at the hands of the police. People who are genuinely clueless and who form their opinions based on what they see on tv or read on the internet from sources they think in they can trust - the talking heads in the media. This is in many ways a divided country, but the one thing that should unite us is our love for our country (however flaws it is) and the freedoms it theoretically entitles to all its citizens. But because the players have chosen to protest in a manner that can be twisted to seem unpatriotic, they’ve immediately lost the chance to win over the “undecided” hearts and minds of millions of Americans. Instead of opening sincere but ignorant minds to injustice, they’ve given an opportunity for shitty powerful men to shut that door closed.

You are 100 percent right - it is bullshit. But simply calling it bullshit isn’t going to change anything. I don’t expect loud prejudiced men like Donald trump to change their minds. But other people could. It’s not smart to alienate them. A critical mass must be reached so that there is a change in public opinion. What they’ve tried so far isn’t working. It’s time to try something else.


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[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

I agree that minds made up to be racists won’t be changed, but they’re not the “target audience.” It’s the average person. More specifically, the average white person or person of privilege who has never personally encountered prejudice at the hands of the police. People who are genuinely clueless and who form their opinions based on what they see on tv or read on the internet from sources they think in they can trust - the talking heads in the media. This is in many ways a divided country, but the one thing that should unite us is our love for our country (however flaws it is) and the freedoms it theoretically entitles to all its citizens. But because the players have chosen to protest in a manner that can be twisted to seem unpatriotic, they’ve immediately lost the chance to win over the “undecided” hearts and minds of millions of Americans. Instead of opening sincere but ignorant minds to injustice, they’ve given an opportunity for shitty powerful men to shut that door closed.

You are 100 percent right - it is bullshit. But simply calling it bullshit isn’t going to change anything. I don’t expect loud prejudiced men like Donald trump to change their minds. But other people could. It’s not smart to alienate them. A critical mass must be reached so that there is a change in public opinion. What they’ve tried so far isn’t working. It’s time to try something else.


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Good post. But Kap mishandled his protest because he remained silent before and after protesting. He didnt explain himself or communicate these issues. He then agitated by doing some really stupid things. He allowed other to take his act and frame it on both sides. Lots of mistakes...in the end the anthem was the wrong way to go. Of course this can be easily seen as disrespecting the flag, the country, etc. Of course this is a work issue with his employer.