If your favorite NBA player pulled a Kaepernick?

[Mich3006]

I only care about the anthem in sport if it´s an international game (e.g. Germany in the soccer world cup) otherwise I think it isn´t necessary.

In case of Kaepernick: Wondering why he didn´t do this in 2013 though... he´s done.

[Dr Aki]

from the outside looking in

america's obsession with national pride and singing the national anthem and all that jazz is stupid

good on kaepernick if he doesn't want to do it, what's freedom of speech if you can't use it whatever bloody way you want??

[Bergmaniac]

Whether it makes sense or not, it is useful. With everything else being equal, it is better for the citizens of said country to be patriotic such that the country (and as a consequence its citizen) can benefit from people's patriotism. It is akin to universities reaping benefits from alumni of the school having fond feelings for their schools in forms of donation and support. That is why pretty much every country in the world try to sell patriotism to its citizens.

It is useful for the elite only for the elite. It is a great way to screw over the masses. It is the best way to convince them to accept stuff like pointless wars and restrictions on their freedom through inventing bogeyman enemies.

[Dajadeed]

I would stop being a fan of his immediately if he did what Kap did. Dude is on a 120Million $ contract but claims he's oppressed. This whole thing is so stupid, people are mental midgets these days and always want to play this race card. Grow some balls and admit your faults, or stop trying to knit-pick. Slavery was 400 years ago, get over yourselves.

1. Slavery wasn't 400 years ago. Some families are only about 4 generations away from slavery.

2. He isn't saying HE is being oppressed.

3. Having a few hundred years of slavery has ridiculous consequences for generations on end. Lack of education, land, money, etc. It is beyond ignorant and simple to think that slavery's consequences were don't just because slaves don't exist anymore.

4. He doesn't need to admit his faults. He is pointing out that there is still progresss that needs to be made, and he is right judging by all of the ignorant responses in this thread.

[jreed23]

I would stop being a fan of his immediately if he did what Kap did. Dude is on a 120Million $ contract but claims he's oppressed. This whole thing is so stupid, people are mental midgets these days and always want to play this race card. Grow some balls and admit your faults, or stop trying to knit-pick. Slavery was 400 years ago, get over yourselves.

And here all this time I thought slavery ended in 1865. Quick question, did you refer to him as "Kap" simply because you're not able to spell his name? Btw, he never said he was oppressed, he's standing up for people that are.

[BallerTalk]

As white person who suffered from poverty. You couldn't be more wrong. Its a damn shame that the idea is that white people can't be poor, effected by racism, shot by cops (more than black people actually). But no...we are part of the problem apparently. Its sickening to see this mind set of racist minorities...

There is no better proof of your cluelessness on this issue than your faulty belief that privilege and poverty are mutually exclusive.

[eagereyez]

This entitlement generation continues to prove that is it the worse. It's ok to fight for what you believe in but by not standing up to the national anthem you are spiting in the faces of those veterans that gave their life to defend the freedom of the country that pays your your 19 million a year. He's a spoiled and disrespectful punk to me. Has nothing to do with color. The man just lacks the basic principles of common decency. Let's see where his dedication lies once that paycheck takes a hit.

Ah yes, the people who died defending our freedom in the Iraq War. The people who died defending our freedom in the Philippines, in the Native American wars, in Vietnam, etc. This is why I hate military worship. Just because you served in the military, it doesn't make you a hero. And if you do feel so strongly about it, there are better ways of showing your appreciation than standing up for a song. Donating to help vets, volunteering at a vet shelter, etc.

[Kabookalu]

He's not my favorite player, but Dwyane Wade already did something like this with the Canadian National Anthem. If anything my opinion resonates more strongly here, because even though I'm American now, I'll always be Canadian at heart. And when Wade did what he did during the Canadian National Anthem, I was...whatever about it. It was disrespectful, but it didn't incite the kind of emotions in me that are prompting so many Americans to say the disgusting things they're saying of Kaepernick.

[WangZhiZhiRules]

I'd have a lot more respect for someone who takes a stand on their position than for someone like Dwayne Wade who ignorantly shoots baskets during a national anthem.

(Although, if they did away with the anthems for what is now a multicultural league it wouldn't bother me in the slightest)

[jc23]

fans mostly just care about athletes helping their team win games.

[MiltownHawkeye]

It is absolutely mind-blowningly insane how many racist people post on a basketball message board.

"Black people aren't oppressed."

"Slavery was 400 years ago; get over it."

"He has money... racism isn't a problem."

"He needs to learn what is really going on."

Then again, there are people on this board who think guns are a-okay because 450 elderly people per year die from falling out of bed.

But, really, I assume most of these people are just privileged white kids and truly have no concept of what oppression or institutionalized racism actually is and have no life experience, and that's just sad. You're part of the problem.

As white person who suffered from poverty. You couldn't be more wrong. Its a damn shame that the idea is that white people can't be poor, effected by racism, shot by cops (more than black people actually). But no...we are part of the problem apparently. Its sickening to see this mind set of racist minorities...

Sent from my SGH-I747M using RealGM mobile app

I hope you realize you're attacking a strawman. Absolutely no one is arguing that white people can't be poor or can't be shot by cops. It's not all about you.

[MiltownHawkeye]

To actually answer the question: I'd find it really strange if Giannis "pulled a Kaepernick."

[Hindenburg]

If he really cared about the situation, he would donate some money to build better urban infrastructure, improve schools etc. Or atleast set up a charity in your name or something.

Sitting through national anthems is the equivalent of collecting Facebook likes. It's lazy and doesn't amount to much.

[Johnny Bball]

And when that change doesn't happen and the nfl runs him out of the league for not obeying what they will mandate... Then what? What a waste.

The NFL came out and said that you don't have to stand at attention for the national anthem. Why exactly would they run him out the league? I think his poor play will cause him to be "run out of the league" not the fact that he's protesting this.

I'm am truly shocked they would have such a reasonable reaction. I do expect it will change though as the patriotic base of the nation has a hissy fit.

[xRapHeadx]

What???

[xRapHeadx]

This entitlement generation continues to prove that is it the worse. It's ok to fight for what you believe in but by not standing up to the national anthem you are spiting in the faces of those veterans that gave their life to defend the freedom of the country that pays your your 19 million a year. He's a spoiled and disrespectful punk to me. Has nothing to do with color. The man just lacks the basic principles of common decency. Let's see where his dedication lies once that paycheck takes a hit.

What war did veterans fight in so black people's freedom could be protected?

[xRapHeadx]

You are going too far with this.

[Ell Curry]

What war did veterans fight in so black people's freedom could be protected?

The black soldiers on the Union side and a very, very tiny percentage of white abolitionists on the Union side probably fought for black people's freedom in the Civil War, unless you mean only living veterans?

Also, and this is way more remote, it's possible that the perceived gains from integration in the 2nd world war contributed to some black people fighting in later wars like Korea or Vietnam under the belief that military integration can impact white America's treatment of black Americans in a positive direction.

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Re: Kaepernick

I'm not American, but it seems totally reasonable and fine to protest your government's actions in the way Kaepernick did. Kaepernick isn't suggesting violence or anything and he seems to want to protest to make his country a better, safer place: http://deadspin.com/colin-kaepernick-explains-why-he-wont-stand-for-the-nat-1785873198

[NZB2323]

This entitlement generation continues to prove that is it the worse. It's ok to fight for what you believe in but by not standing up to the national anthem you are spiting in the faces of those veterans that gave their life to defend the freedom of the country that pays your your 19 million a year. He's a spoiled and disrespectful punk to me. Has nothing to do with color. The man just lacks the basic principles of common decency. Let's see where his dedication lies once that paycheck takes a hit.

What war did veterans fight in so black people's freedom could be protected?

The Civil War and World War 2.

Also, members of the Army National Guard were used after Brown vs. Board of Education to make sure that desegregation in Little Rock would happen peacefully.

Furthermore, the military for much of its history has been leading the way in terms of civil rights. Women and African-Americans were pilots during World War 2 at a time where they were treated like second class citizens back in American. The military brings together different people from all across America and breaks down barriers. War Veterans coming back from war would get involved in Civil Rights movements. After you've been in a foxhole with a man who has your back, it doesn't make sense that he has to use a different bathroom than you. Whereas before if you're from a small racist town, you would never question segregation.

[coachcav]

He has the freedom of expression in this country and so do his critics. America isn't flawless but neither is any other country.

I have an issue with people who make millions of dollars playing sports who are critical of society but who have no problem keeping all the money they earn to themselves. When everyone views improving society as someone else's job, it turns into no one's job.

He EARNED that money. He doesn't have to give it to you, me or anyone else. He earned it for a reason. The people's job that is to make society better is the politicians and one's in power. That is why we elect them. However they are not doing their jobs and are causing more problems and divide. They keep saying they are going to do something but never follow through.