Wednesday, October 4, 2017

NFL / taking a knee

My thoughts on taking a knee. Some NFL players feel that not showing respect to the nation or it's flag will point out social injustices and bring about change. They have a right to do so. They also have a right to suffer the consequences as well. In disrespecting the country and those that love and serve it, they are most likely hurting their cause. They are sowing division. They have made the issue one of patriotism, nothing else. Those millionaires would have sent a far stronger and well received message had they purchased tv commercials during the game listing their actual grievances and instances of racism. Identify the problem and call for a solution. People that might be sympathetic to their cause are instead turned away by a misplaced message of anti-American sentiment. Yes, they have a right to take a knee and I support that. The people and even the president have a right to ask for them to be fired as well. I support that too. People that are unhappy with this have the right to boycott the NFL. I also support that. This is all working the way it is supposed to. No one is being jailed or arrested. No one's rights have been violated. At least in regards to taking a knee. What precipitated it may well be a much different story. A story that isn't being told at all because the messengers chose not to tell it, but to make an entirely different and counterproductive statement instead. Rarely do you get positive results by insulting the audience that pays your wages. If you want that audience to understand what is wrong and needs to be fixed, best not to start things off by alienating them with something not even related. Even if you have the right to do so. Again, take a knee, that's your right. If the team owner joins you, more power to them. If people criticize you for doing so, that's their right too. If people quit watching the games and revenue goes down, that's the way freedom works.