This country is supposed to be all about free speech. We're so about free speech that a week ago I was arguing with people that thought it was ok for Nazis to march through our streets because it's their right as Americans. Why am I now arguing with those same people that men should be allowed to kneel down during the anthem? Are you a free speech absolutist? Or are you a fascist? Or do you agree that there is middle ground and only certain speech is protected?
What is going on?
The rules keep changing depending on who we are talking about. White men are allowed to march through the streets screaming about Jews while black men are attacked for protesting MURDER. I don't even fully understand the contraversy, honestly. Are black people more likely to be murdered by the police than white people? Yes. It's an absolute fact. Why then is caring about this fact an outrageous act? Would there be an uproar if a vegan rookie QB from California took a knee to protest the wanton killing of livestock? If a white kid sat for the anthem to show his disapproval of the mass amounts of alcohol being consumed during his performance? What protests would be acceptable and, more importantly, who are they acceptable for?
If they just came clean about the rules perhaps we could follow them. What black people are allowed to speak out about injustice? Only the poor or only the rich? Does shade matter? Perhaps Kaepernick was a little too white to speak on black issues. I know shade matters to some but I'm not sure that it's a valid indicator of your importance within the community.
Does it matter if you're a veteran? I'm a vet and I think they should absolutely be able to take a knee for the anthem. Or stand. Or sign autographs. Or buy nachos. Talk to a cheerleader. You know, like they used to until it became mandatory to pledge fealty to the flag, and by extension the emperor, before the televised sporting event. Maybe after they play the anthem they could play a song for our dear leader? God knows, that ego needs the stroking.
Is anyone else as concerned as me by how blatantly racist this whole thing has been? White people all over America that were cheering these men's names and buying their kids their jerseys last week are now calling them anti-American thugs. Ungrateful, spoiled babies. Now, last week's sports heroes are criminal assholes.
"America isn't racist," they tell them, "you are.".
"Shut up and play, boy."
How can I possibly enjoy football knowing that those men on that screen, smashing the sense out of their brains for my entertainment and their love of the game, are nothing more than modern day slaves? We cheer them until they're used up, worn out, broken, and put them out to pasture. They die a little for us every Sunday and in return we demand that they keep their fucking mouths shut and do their job quietly.
"We pay you a lot of money to keep your mouth shut," they say, "so shut up."
"They should be grateful for what America did for them."
As if they were handed their spot in the NFL and haven't worked their entire lives to get there. They get paid, sure, but they aren't wealthy. They're just rich. I think we all know the difference by now.
Taking a knee does more damage to your career in the NFL than beating the shit out of your wife, kid, neighbor, or any random person that happens to stumble across your path. Than drowning dogs or gun possession. Than drug charges or possession. Than rape. Than murder.
Why?
"Shut up and play, boy."
"Get back out on that field, nigger."
"Their owners should fire them. Those sons of bitches."
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