To Kneel or Not to Kneel

With so many people in so many walks of life taking a knee these days, I'm proud to say it was our own Megan Rapinoe who was likely the first to support Colin Kaepernick just over a year ago, on September 5, 2016.

Megan Rapinoe wrote: "I think it's actually pretty disgusting the way he was treated and the way that a lot of the media has covered it and made it about something that it absolutely isn't. We need to have a more thoughtful, two-sided conversation about racial issues in this country."  

IMO, it took great fortitude for Colin and Megan to be the first to make this symbolic gesture, and regardless of how one may feel about that gesture, is now up to the rest of us to take meaningful action to ensure all people in the United States are treated fairly and equally....

Here's a group taking a different stance: http://freebeacon.com/culture/lingerie-football-league-responds-to-nfl-we-stand/

I've never seen them play, but maybe DD has?

For me, it's about being respectful. I don't like it when I see people walking around, talking, on their phones, etc. No matter what you think of current politics, you should pay respect for those who have fought and died for this country.

I don't see taking a knee or sitting quietly on a bench as being disrespectful. I do think there are better ways to protest or to accomplish your goals, but to each their own. I don't really get the protest, but I also don't get why everyone is so worked up about it.

FWIW - I will be standing anytime they play our national anthem.

I think Trevor Noah, with a little help from Dr Seuss, have offered the best explanation I've heard for when Blacks can protest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-Gx23vH0CE

Thirty-two years ago Jay was a student of mine....he could always say it better than I can.

This from yesterday:

Wow, I think that's an exhibition of leadership we all crave in America....and a great message!

We've discussed the knee taking protests in many of our classes during the week, and most strongly support the non-violent gestures the NFL players and others are making, but where is the dialogue?  Time and time again the lack of calm and coherent discussion of racial issues was mentioned in class.

Too many who disagree with a another's position shout them down instead of listening to another point of view.

StudentPilot wrote:We've discussed the knee taking protests in many of our classes during the week, and most strongly support the non-violent gestures the NFL players and others are making, but where is the dialogue?  Time and time again the lack of calm and coherent discussion of racial issues was mentioned in class.

Washington Nationals pitcher Sean Doolittle (raised in a military family) had much the same sentiment:

I think my patriotism is strong enough to not be offended when somebody takes a knee during the anthem. That's not something I take personally. It's something that makes me want to reach out to that person and have a conversation with them and say, let's talk about some of these issues. Tell me about certain things that have caused you to take such a stand.  

I wasn't going to burn my Nike gear, but this guy makes some good points!

blacksheep wrote:I don't see taking a knee or sitting quietly on a bench as being disrespectful.  I do think there are better ways to protest or to accomplish your goals, but to each their own.  I don't really get the protest, but I also don't get why everyone is so worked up about it.

I know it's been a year since you posted it, but you summed up my thoughts on this topic quite nicely.