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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe "flag" has won but we will continue to fight for the cause.
From early on the conversation revolving around Kaps protest was hijacked. It was easy for them to do as we were all too willing to change the subject. Kap nailed his protest. Absolutely nailed it. He is also one of the very few to stay on message.
""I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder." Colin Kaepernick
Across discussion boards and the media alike, almost all of the conversation today revolves around a complete misunderstanding of free speech, feigned patriotism, the NFL, and the proper respect that is to be given to the flag. Even those who are on board with Kap and his protest are now simply discussing their views toward patriotism and the flag, more often than not leaving any thoughts of social justice/oppression out of the conversation.
I feel that Colin Kaepernick stuck his neck out to elevate a conversation that was already being elevated and we failed him. He is paying a major price for his brilliant protest while we pay homage to right-wing talking points. They ran us over with their bullshit on this one. We didn't just take the bait, we joined them in muddying the waters.
All is not lost. The overall conversation is still being held at a higher level than we have seen in the past two decades. Outside of the Kap protest the conversation is alive and well. We might have taken the bait in this one instance and damn near every conversation revolving around it, but we are still fighting like mad. We just got side-tracked by pathetic talking points. We became reactionary in a situation that required us to be out-front and aggressive.
Kap put it on the line for social justice. We truly let him down. That is how I feel. Looking at almost all current discussions about the issue the one thing that seems to be missing is the reason he protested in the first place.
Just a little addition.
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SHRED
(28,136 posts)
lunasun
(21,646 posts)They gave Abbie Hoffman hell.
Now they all wear and eat off the image thinking they are patriotic. Businesses also use the image of the flag.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)This is completely insignificant to the protest. Yet it is what we are pushing.
Not a single person cares about this. It was used as a distraction tactic. It clearly worked.
The "flag" won.
DinahMoeHum
(21,826 posts)You wait and see: those players who in the past wouldn't have "taken a knee" during the anthem will find new ways to skirt this new dumbass ruling, just to give the finger to Trump, the NFL owners, and their lickspittle Roger Goodell.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)Try reading before replying. This is not "pessimissm".
You make my point. This isn't about giving a finger to Trump, NFL owners, or Goddell. At least is wasn't and shouldn't be. They generated a narrative your were all too willing to go with. They successfully changed the subject and you are promoting said change right here.
dameatball
(7,403 posts)So, if a player on each team kneels, wouldn't the penalties offset? Or are there some kinds of fines included?
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)outside of any possible government interference.
You make a good point. The rule will have to be looked at and all parties involved will deal with it. Depending on how it is written there might be go arounds. I do doubt it. It's my understanding that anyone wanting not to stand will have the option to stay in the locker room.
This was a protest by Kap. There are often consequences outside of societal for protests and they can even make the protest more powerful.