Article: To Kneel Or Stand; A Prisoner’s Perspective - Prison Lives, Contributor
Prison Lives contributor discussed the ongoing controversy over what began as a protest of kneeling during the national anthem to raise awareness of police brutality and racial and social injustice in America.
The article discusses how the protest, started by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and teammates, has now been called disrespectful by 'patriotic' fans . These fans, including President Trump and Vice President Pence are saying (and tweeting) that these NFL protests disrespect the American flag and those who fought and died under it. The article raises questions addressed to those who agree with the President who has called on the NFL to "fire" any "son of a b***" who kneels during the anthem.
These opinions are actually quite comical and extremely misplaced when you consider the issue, the reason why the kneeling began in the first place, has absolutely nothing to do with the American flag or with professional athletes being disrespectful toward it. I believe that if the critics of those kneeling were honest with themselves, they would agree that the actions taken by these athletes has nothing to do with the flag. I believe that they KNOW that the kneeling is highlighting an issue, that once acknowledged, they would be forced to do something about.
Police brutality, described as violence that is irrationally directed toward minorities, in particular, African American men (African American men make up 68 percent of all NFL players). This brutality is driven by a one-sided system that selectively enforces the law in favor of the majority, Caucasian men. The article points out topics relating to how it often takes a member of the majority to say something about a long standing issue for it to really be recognized by a large number of people.
I believe that for African American NFL players to have important issues discussed, they must realize that they are not a minority of the NFL, and that they do have the ability to make a huge impact on disbelievers of everyday occurrences in America.
Racial and social inequalities, a group of people who are treated as a sub-class or inferior because of the color of their skin, is the other issue that is being confronted by the kneeling.
Another thought to consider: why is it that when a person of color uses his platform, in whatever form that may be (e.g., NFL, NBA, musicians, actors, etc.), mainstream society gets offended? Conversely, when a person from the majority group uses his/her platform, the world is expected to go along with the issue being raised and real change, both in people's thinking and in their behaviors, begin to take place?
I would like to leave you with a few additional thoughts to consider as you, the reader, weigh which side of this issue you are on. Does it make sense for the president of the United States, a person who has a host of other, much larger issues to deal with, to spend as much time and energy on an issue that could easily be addressed in a more civilized and professional manner? Does it make sense to be as negative as you can possibly be and further perpetuate the issue of racial and social inequality if that is the very issue you are trying to resolve?
The article discusses how the protest, started by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and teammates, has now been called disrespectful by 'patriotic' fans . These fans, including President Trump and Vice President Pence are saying (and tweeting) that these NFL protests disrespect the American flag and those who fought and died under it. The article raises questions addressed to those who agree with the President who has called on the NFL to "fire" any "son of a b***" who kneels during the anthem.
These opinions are actually quite comical and extremely misplaced when you consider the issue, the reason why the kneeling began in the first place, has absolutely nothing to do with the American flag or with professional athletes being disrespectful toward it. I believe that if the critics of those kneeling were honest with themselves, they would agree that the actions taken by these athletes has nothing to do with the flag. I believe that they KNOW that the kneeling is highlighting an issue, that once acknowledged, they would be forced to do something about.
Police brutality, described as violence that is irrationally directed toward minorities, in particular, African American men (African American men make up 68 percent of all NFL players). This brutality is driven by a one-sided system that selectively enforces the law in favor of the majority, Caucasian men. The article points out topics relating to how it often takes a member of the majority to say something about a long standing issue for it to really be recognized by a large number of people.
I believe that for African American NFL players to have important issues discussed, they must realize that they are not a minority of the NFL, and that they do have the ability to make a huge impact on disbelievers of everyday occurrences in America.
Racial and social inequalities, a group of people who are treated as a sub-class or inferior because of the color of their skin, is the other issue that is being confronted by the kneeling.
Another thought to consider: why is it that when a person of color uses his platform, in whatever form that may be (e.g., NFL, NBA, musicians, actors, etc.), mainstream society gets offended? Conversely, when a person from the majority group uses his/her platform, the world is expected to go along with the issue being raised and real change, both in people's thinking and in their behaviors, begin to take place?
I would like to leave you with a few additional thoughts to consider as you, the reader, weigh which side of this issue you are on. Does it make sense for the president of the United States, a person who has a host of other, much larger issues to deal with, to spend as much time and energy on an issue that could easily be addressed in a more civilized and professional manner? Does it make sense to be as negative as you can possibly be and further perpetuate the issue of racial and social inequality if that is the very issue you are trying to resolve?