If your favorite NBA player pulled a Kaepernick?

[coachcav]

Also, people who support Kaepernick should be clear about something. Is it that you support him regardless of his political stance or you support him because his stance aligns with your own? That is, what if Kaepernick put on an "All Lives Matter" pre-game T-shirt and walked around the bench? It's easy to support someone when you agree with them, but much more difficult to do so if you hate their beliefs.

For me, either way politics and sports should not mix in this type of a way. Your job is to be a player and contribute to the team's success and things that go against this should (in general) be looked negatively on you as a teammate.

We support him because he is allowed his freedom of speech. I do not agree with him on how he did it and think he could be more proactive actually in the cause itself. I understood the point he was trying to make within seconds. It was not hard. I stand every game and it is my choice. This is Colin's choice. However, I just know better that he is allowed to do it. I support freedom in its entirety even if its people I disagree with. I can criticize you and vice versa but you are still entitled to your opinion. He honestly did nothing wrong. He sat down to the anthem in protest about an issue he believes in. He could be protesting on a freeway or burning things down causing people their jobs and businesses. There are better ways and worse ways.

I think politics should never mix with sports either but that is not the world we live in. This will not be the last time it will happen.

[CrookedJ]

Does he have something legitimate to be upset about, you bet.

So to me the question becomes one of the tactic.

Lots of people seem to think that he should be only rolling up his sleeves as part of some cause or donating money. And whose to say whether he does that or not.

That may make some difference , but more the likely goal here is shining a big bright spotlight on the issue he wants raised. Hard to argue this hasn't been insanely successful given the amount of commentary it's generated.

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[Synciere]

By virtually every statistical measurement blacks have a better life in America than any other country in the world. Kap is just a weak mind who buys the left wing narrative that blacks live oppressed lives here.

Comments like these are why we need more Kaepernicks, and not fewer.

People (sorry, but really white people) are more upset at his not respecting the flag than they are about the millions of Black lives affected by institutional racism. They claim the flag represents those who died for this country, while ignoring the Black lives who died in every war this country has faced, and then came home to racism, lynchings, prejudice, and hate. But we're supposed to respect that flag. Because of those measurable statistics......

You're right. Every Black person is just crazy. The who social injustice and inequality thing is just in our heads.

[coachcav]

Nothing more disrespectful you can do to your country than what Kap is doing. That deserves a 2 game suspension in my books so he can take time off and actually learn what is going on in America and not just read CNN. He is pulling off an absolute tragedy

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Seriously, the NFL and 49ers said he is encouraged to stand but is not required. Key phrase is not required. He is allowed his right to do that. Many people don't stand at games. This is what makes the country great to stand for what you believe in without being punished. Isnt that what people died for? That goes for people that you don't agree with as well. It goes more than just one way. Expressing himself does not constitute any suspension. He did absolutely no wrong. You just got offended. That is all.

[Synciere]

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.

Are your words as strong when cops are filmed killed Black people and then freed? Do you call the cops spoiled and disrespectful? Do you call them anything? What makes you angrier: Kaepernick exercising his first amendment's rights and not standing/respecting a FLAG, or the lack of respect for human life that we see everyday, that goes unpunished? I mean, you insinuate here that Kaep will lose a paycheck and that would be deserved. For disrespecting a flag. What's the worth of a human life, then?

[Bergmaniac]

Nothing more disrespectful you can do to your country than what Kap is doing. That deserves a 2 game suspension in my books so he can take time off and actually learn what is going on in America and not just read CNN. He is pulling off an absolute tragedy

Are you kidding me? That's the worst disrespect to your country in your book? What about assassinating the head of state? Pissing on the flag? Bombing the parliament?

[jbk1234]

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.

He earned his money (playing a game) and he can keep it. But if he's not going to invest back into communities that struggle to get outside capital, if he's not using his fame and fortune to set up a non-profit that can tackle some of the problems in those same communities, then I'd rather not hear him get all sanctimonious. He's lecturing people who don't make in a decade what he makes in a month.

Spare me it's the government's job argument. There are things the government is good at and things the government isn't good at. Sitting around waiting for the government (read other people) to fix it is a big part of why we're in this mess.

[OrlChamps2030]

The response to Kaepernick has been pretty laughable. Lots of nationalistic rhetoric involved. I wish Kap would have made his stance during the super bowl and not when he is struggling to stay in the league though.

As an American I really couldn't tell you why we are forced to say the pledge of allegiance everyday from the age of 5 to the age of 18. Do other countries do this?

[JohnnyNightrain]

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...

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I'm also a white person who "suffered" from poverty. In fact, one of my earliest traumatic experiences was when my brother dropped some of our food stamps and they went into the sewer (back then, you used to get Monopoly-like money instead of a card), because that meant we had to go without some of our groceries. I even, literally, waited in line with my dad to get free government cheese. Despite growing up poor, I am very, very aware of my privilege.

Also, claiming white people are affected by racism is completely and totally laughable. Are there some non-white people who are racist? Absolutely. Does it oppress white people? Not in any way, whatsoever, because they have no power. There have been numerous studies showing that applicants with Afro-centric or Latino names are far less-likely to even be called in for a job interview than those with traditionally white-sounding names, despite equal qualifications. And there have been plenty of recent examples of people posting racist rants online and then you click on their profiles and see they have jobs like mortgage loan officers, police officers, teachers, etc. Just put two and two together. That is institutionalized racism and something most people don't understand, or just chose to be willfully ignorant about.

If a racist black guy drives by and yells "cracker" to me, it literally does nothing. It doesn't affect me at all. I'm still going to get a job interview. I'm still not going to be followed around in a store. In fact, I used to, unfortunately, own guns and was pulled over and told the cop I had loaded guns in my glove compartment, the exact same situation as Philando Castile, and I'm still alive. The cop even thought it was cool and started talking to me about guns and shootin'. That is white privilege.

Finally, just like when people try to flaunt supposed pro-gun statistics, you can't just look at raw data. That is not how research works. Adjusted for population, blacks are 2.5 times more likely to be shot and killed by police. There are also plenty of videos and pictures online showing the difference in how suspects are treated for the same crimes in relation to their race. These are facts, not opinions, so I am going to go ahead and say I am correct.

[jc23]

Im fine with him sitting out, but its a small inconvenience for him to do so, the issue is already out there and all this does is give news outlets a story to report for a bit.

If this really is an important issue for him im sure he will find more productive ways to help.

[jc23]

I'm a veteran and I'm okay with people dissenting, or not standing up for the national anthem or the flag. It's their right. I don't like others ostracizing these people for expressing themselves, as long as it is nonviolent and with respect to others. So what if someone sat or didn't remove his/her hat during the anthem? It's more disgusting to see people make that person stand up, remove the hat, or deride him/her for not showing flag decorum.


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Just dont let a Drill Sergeant/Instructor catch you doin it lol

[Daddy 801]

Glad to see everyone isn't brainwashed to believe in patriotism and nationalism. Loving your fellow humans means leaving those silly notions behind. Also glad to see military worship is on the decline. The military isn't fighting for freedom. It's a tool of political elites to further their agenda and make money for those connected with the military industrial complex.

If the military actually represented freedom and protecting our rights individuals wouldn't have to sign their rights away to enlist. It's pure propaganda to believe we are more free by telling 18 year old kids to sign away their rights and blindly listen to their superiors. What a backwards way of believing we are spreading freedom.

And before the right wing a-hole says I'm some liberal idiot who hates America I'll have you know I've never voted for a democrat. But just because I believe in real capitalism( not the fascism we have now) and Liberty doesn't mean I have to be a blind idiot who buys what FOX news is saying or think Donald is anything but a babbling racist idiot.

[Johnny Firpo]

If the anthem is really a declaration of love for slavery like I just read here, I wouldn't mind.

https://theintercept.com/2016/08/28/colin-kaepernick-is-righter-than-you-know-the-national-anthem-is-a-celebration-of-slavery/

If that's true, it's shocking how African-American players are cool with it.

[JonFromVA]

Can't say I care if someone chooses to ignore (or respect) the national anthem, but otoh, I don't get the connection he's attempting to make.

Police forces are run by local governments.

And while he seems unhappy with things both our primary Presidential candidates have said in the past, I wonder if he missed Hilary Clinton at the Democratic Convention with the "Mothers of the Movement" standing by her and for her?

[MiltownHawkeye]

Finally, just like when people try to flaunt supposed pro-gun statistics, you can't just look at raw data. That is not how research works. Adjusted for population, blacks are 2.5 more likely to be shot and killed by police. There are also plenty of videos and pictures online showing the difference in how suspects are treated for the same crimes in relation to their race. These are facts, not opinions, so I am going to go ahead and say I am correct.

The common counter-argument to this is "well maybe black people are less obedient when interacting with police." Maybe there's a nugget of truth to that, but:

1) It's still a steteotype.

2) "Disobedience" is totally subject to bias. What comes off as "disobedience" from a black person might be different than what comes off as "disobedience" from a white person. There are loads of implicit bias tests, videos, etc. out there supporting this. Raising the bar for what constitutes "resisting arrest" by a white person as opposed to a black person is rarely if ever a conscious habit exhibited by LEOs, but it is absolutely a thing that exists. Philando Castile wasn't resisting arrest or disobeying the officer - quite the opposite. Tamir Rice didn't have a chance to disobey the officer before getting shot. Charles Kinsey? That was a joke. On the other hand, literal mass murderers like Dylann Roof and James Holmes got taken in by police without a scratch on them. While I realize that these are just anecdotes, if you truly believe a black person who just murdered 15-20+ primarily white people would get taken in by police and not shot on sight, especially when given what apologists consider "justified lethal force", you're less of a cynic than I am.

3) Stop and think about why black people are more hostile towards cops than white people are. There are a lot of different answers. If you believe it's all in black peoples' heads, check out the DoJ findings on Baltimore and Ferguson's police departments and get back to me.

Part of BLM's message that doesn't get talked about enough, is that the lives of black criminals matter too. They deserve their day in court. Police officers shouldn't be shooting first and asking questions later unless their lives are endangered. The majority of police officers are white, and like every other ethnic group they tend to identify more with people that look like them. So in many cases they're more hesitant to use excessive force against white people. Again, not exclusive to white people whatsoever - but it's something people need to admit. There's no easy solution but acknowledging the anti-black/latino/muslim bias inherent in the system is the first step.

[cdubbz]

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.

[JonFromVA]

If the anthem is really a declaration of love for slavery like I just read here, I wouldn't mind.

https://theintercept.com/2016/08/28/colin-kaepernick-is-righter-than-you-know-the-national-anthem-is-a-celebration-of-slavery/

If that's true, it's shocking how African-American players are cool with it.

fwiw, the British didn't completely eliminate slavery until 1843. In war (of 1812) both sides tend to exploit what they can.

[jbk1234]

Does he have something legitimate to be upset about, you bet.

So to me the question becomes one of the tactic.

Lots of people seem to think that he should be only rolling up his sleeves as part of some cause or donating money. And whose to say whether he does that or not.

That may make some difference , but more the likely goal here is shining a big bright spotlight on the issue he wants raised. Hard to argue this hasn't been insanely successful given the amount of commentary it's generated.

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When was the last time a player did that anonymously? If he was seriously involved with giving back to the community, a simple Google search would tell you as much. LBJ has a foundation. Jabari Parker just wrote a very good article about how specific policies that are making the south side of Chicago worse.

What Kaepernick did was the brooding teenager's version of a protest. It was reductive and counterproductive. It took very little thought or energy. He failed to identify specific problems or offer specific solutions. It's a millionaire calling an entire nation racist and deciding that the best way to address that racism was to engage in offensive symbolism solely for the purpose of provoking.

[jbk1234]

If the anthem is really a declaration of love for slavery like I just read here, I wouldn't mind.

https://theintercept.com/2016/08/28/colin-kaepernick-is-righter-than-you-know-the-national-anthem-is-a-celebration-of-slavery/

If that's true, it's shocking how African-American players are cool with it.

I read that article and I'm not sure historians are unanimous in their agreement with that interpretation. The inclusion of the word "hirelings" muddies the waters a little.

[Dr Spaceman]

Does he have something legitimate to be upset about, you bet.

So to me the question becomes one of the tactic.

Lots of people seem to think that he should be only rolling up his sleeves as part of some cause or donating money. And whose to say whether he does that or not.

That may make some difference , but more the likely goal here is shining a big bright spotlight on the issue he wants raised. Hard to argue this hasn't been insanely successful given the amount of commentary it's generated.

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When was the last time a player did that anonymously? If he was seriously involved with giving back to the community, a simple Google search would tell you as much. LBJ has a foundation. Jabari Parker just wrote a very good article about how specific policies that are making the south side of Chicago worse.

What Kaepernick did was the brooding teenager's version of a protest. It was reductive and counterproductive. It took very little thought or energy. He failed to identify specific problems or offer specific solutions. It's a millionaire calling an entire nation racist and deciding that the best way to address that racism was to engage in offensive symbolism solely for the purpose of provoking.

A very good point, although I want to note I'd never heard of Jabari's article, whereas I heard about this basically immediately as it happened. I think a good argument could be made Colin's method reached a far greater number of people, and if it directs those people towards methods that are more intelligent and thought-provoking, I'd call that a win even if Colin himself doesn't have anything insightful to say.