Kaepernick and the National Anthem

[Saxum]

 

Over 200 years of slavery, followed by decades of segregation policies. Comparing the injustices done to others will always fall short imo.

 

The US destroying American Indian populations to take land killing millions and isolating them into reservations will always surpass that IMO.

[26CornerBlitz]

 

Kaepernick has so much credibility. After all, earning millions of dollars playing a game is the epitome of oppression.

 

So by making millions of dollars to play football you somehow forfeit your rights as an American?

[Hapless Bills Fan]

I've never really understood it either.

 

The part I appreciate is the games where they honor a veteran, that's a cool tradition thanking someone specifically for what they've done.

 

But I don't really get the national anthem.

 

True Story from the Life of Hopeful.

 

When our baby was just shy of 9 months old and baby/mom more or less recovered from various complications, the Hopeful family made a decision to finally have a date night, sans baby, to celebrate my birthday. We went all out: reservations to a trendy restaurant for dinner; excellent tickets to see STOMP!, the familiar caregiver from her excellent daycare as a very well-paid babysitter.

 

That was September 11, 2000.

 

After discussion and some phone calls to the restaurant and the venue, we decided to proceed with the planned evening. We figured what the terrorists are after is getting in everyone's head and disrupting normal life, so if we stay home, they win that small victory. So off we went. The restaurant was out of flown-in stuff, like fresh fish, but otherwise good.

 

I don't know if STOMP always starts that way, but just before the starting time, the venue went pitch black, even the small aisle lights. Into the darkness came the sound of a lone bugle, playing our National Anthem. At the crescendo, three spotlights lit up our flag. I guarantee there wasn't a dry eye in the house that night.

 

That's how I "get" our flag and our national anthem - as an enduring symbol that our nation, flaws and warts and stumbles and tragedies, is fundamentally strong and good and will continue and evolve.

[stony]

 

The US destroying American Indian populations to take land killing millions and isolating them into reservations will always surpass that IMO.

 

Horrible. A close second.

[26CornerBlitz]

 

The US destroying American Indian populations to take land killing millions and isolating them into reservations will always surpass that IMO.

 

Both advantaged this country greatly and free labor system allowed the United States to become an economic super power.

[Hot Buffalo Wings]

I wonder if Kaep has any experiences of his own that caused him to feel this way or if it's just based on what he sees on the news and reads on Twitter.

[klos63]

No, its not.

 

The only thing still holding this disparate bag of conflicting factions we call America together is a shared sense of patriotism.

 

We no longer worship the same God (if any), hold the same values, hang out at the same places, watch the same entertainment, etc. etc. We barely speak the same language anymore and sure as hell don't share a sense of filial kinship.

 

The one thing we still have (for now) is a sense that at least we live in a country where our differences can be strengths, and we can come together to acknowledge our equal shares in an inclusive society by standing together as one for the National Anthem.

 

By refusing to stand, he not only contributes to the decline of this shared ideal, he tells me personally he does not want to share his world with me, his fellow American.

 

IMO, he's just being a privileged rich athlete trying to justify the fact he gets paid millions of dollars to do nothing of real value for society.

 

And BTW, if America has lost Buffalo, we've lost the Nation.

 

Joe out.

nothing says freedom more than being forced to worship the same god, speak the same language.... basically told to live a certain way in all aspects of our lives.

[jimmy10]

the poster said it was racist, I agreed. Probably because the teacher ignored that fact that part of the reason black history month is recognized is because of the injustices done to blacks throughout our history...

Yeah, but then another guy pointed out that electing a black president erased all that. So we good?

[Marv's Neighbor]

The whole national anthem/flag/military honor guard/military jet flyover thing that is now associated with sports in this country is flat out bizarre and really has nothing to do with watching sports.

 

Some of it is flat out paid for by the military as a marketing ploy.

 

Get rid of all of it.

If it wasn't for the Military,and out Vets, you wouldn't be in a position to be offering an absurd opinion.

[vincec]

the poster said it was racist, I agreed. Probably because the teacher ignored that fact that part of the reason black history month is recognized is because of the injustices done to blacks throughout our history and the need to recognize their contributions to this country, but not just as slaves.

When is native american history month?

[hondo in seattle]

The idea of America and the reality of America are different things.

 

The idea of America is there to see in our public record: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, "The New Colossus" poem on the Statue of Liberty, MLK's dream speech, etc.

 

When I served in the army - and when I stand for the national anthem - I do it for those ideas: liberty, justice, equality, and so on.

 

Kap sees that reality falls short of the ideas and it disturbs him. Fair enough. But to be consistent, he should likewise refuse to wear a 49er uniform. I'm sure some of his teammates are racist and/or have other character flaws.

 

Sadly some Americans fall short of ideal, as do some 49ers. You don't solve this by disrespecting the idea of country or team.

Edited August 27, 2016 by hondo in seattle

[Hapless Bills Fan]

Get the !@#$ out then Colin you pos.....you always respect your country's anthem no matter what your view points....

A country that has provided him millions of dollars to sling a football in which he basically sucks at

 

Let's get it straight. It's not the country that's provided him with this opportunity, it's a commercial enterprise called NFL Football. And one of the things that flag and anthem symbolize, is his enduring right to speak his mind freely, provided he doesn't endanger anyone else by so doing. Kind of ironic, ultimately, but people who set out to make grand empty gestures are usually not perceptive to irony.

[klos63]

Yeah, but then another guy pointed out that electing a black president erased all that. So we good?

because we elected a black president, that means there's no more racism?

When is native american history month?

It's in November. Every year.

[26CornerBlitz]

nothing says freedom more than being forced to worship the same god, speak the same language.... basically told to live a certain way in all aspects of our lives.

 

Hmmm? Sounds like some dictatorial regimes I have heard of.

[GG]

 

It takes a big pair to adopt this kind of protest when you know there will be plenty of backlash.

Or be a total idiot.

 

Take your pick.

[Kirby Jackson]

I know this is football related but this thread may be better served in ppp

[The Wiz]

because we elected a black president, that means there's no more racism?

It's in November. Every year.

He's was be being facetious. At least I think.

[4merper4mer]

Don't worry about it. Him not standing up for the national anthem to make a point about black people is about as useful jerking off to fight world hunger.

 

 

Finally. Pooj's Nobel Prize makes sense now.

[Beerball]

I know this is football related but this thread may be better served in ppp

Feel free to start one there if you feel the need.

[klos63]

He's was be being facetious. At least I think.

I don't think so. Not sure.