Colin Kaepernick

[Onenickelmiracl]

Maybe one day they'll have a daily racist contest but until then I'm staying away from thinking reason is a tool of my neighbors here.

[jetermacaw]

Hey colon kamperdick and one, you could only wish you were half the man and patriot that this man is. Try being more like Pat Tillman. The flag and being a US citizen has nothing to do with race.

[jetermacaw]

Now that the dust has begun to settle on the Colin Kaepernick fiasco, let’s stand up (see what I did there?) and discuss this like adults. First, and most importantly, every American has the right to refuse to stand during the playing of the National Anthem. To have laws in place demanding homage to a symbol of the nation would be, at the very least, fascist. Hitler did it to a degree, Hussein did it every few years; I’m sure these are not the kind of men we want to model ourselves after. That being said, though, what Mr. Kaepernick did on Friday night by sitting during the pregame rendering of The Star Spangled Banner, as he had earlier in the pre-season, doesn’t strike me as an act of strength as much as a strange show of self-importance.

The summer before I joined the Army, before I went off to Basic Combat Training, my head swimming with visions of making a difference, I accepted a seasonal job as a pool attendant at an apartment complex. The work was easy, and I eagerly anticipated seeing the young co-ed who I shared my valiant duty with. Our boss, a youngish former Marine who was built like a cross between Chesty Puller and a fire truck, who scowled more than smiled and barely hid his resentment for the college twerps he reluctantly employed, made no effort to hide his love of the Corps. The three of us were talking by the pool, and the conversation came to the military. In an obvious attempt to seem superior and versed in the ways of the world, my counterpart challenged our boss by asking what he did in the Marines that was so important. I can’t quite remember, but I believe “kill babies” was thrown in there for color.

Summoning what I have to imagine was every ounce of control that a human being is capable of, my fearless leader responded, red faced, “What did I do in the Marines? I freed people from the oppressive thumb of tyranny and dictatorship, you communist little…” Although he trailed off before uttering a word that would have cost his job, I’m sure that regardless if it started with a C or a T, that word would have been fitting. The immediate upshot for me was that I went from part time to full time employment. For some reason, the young lady stopped showing up. But, more importantly, I was taught a lesson. Despite his gruff exterior, I realized that my boss truly cared about his career as a Marine because he positively affected the lives of those who could not defend themselves, and he was passionate about it.

When a message falls flat

Colin Kaepernick defended his act of sitting by explaining, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” He added, “There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.” While it is certainly true that there is a racial divide in our country, I don’t quite understand what he hopes to achieve here. Dissent is absolutely patriotic, but only when it is followed up by action. Pointing out a problem without working for its solution just adds to the problem. And that begs the question, what oppression is Mr. Kaepernick speaking of? Without going too far down the rabbit hole, I’ll contend that any unfairness and mistreatment is disproportionately covered by news agencies which causes a false sense of systemic malign. In case I’m wrong, though, Colin, I’m asking you: what are you going to do about it?

A lot of veterans have spoken up and spoken out about this situation. Memes are flying around Facebook so fast that you would think a lion had been shot; outrage and vitriol laced postings have called for Mr. Kaepernick to be benched (which, let’s face it, is a distinct possibility based on what he does during the game more than what he does before it), have called into question the irony of his privileged upbringing, and have shown just how off the mark and inept his decision is. This ill-fated attempt at showing solidarity has instead forged a deeper divide. Um, that’s not leadership, Colin.

Moving on to important things

To be perfectly honest, my first reaction was contempt. ‘How dare he?’ I thought. ‘And oppression? How many Americans, of any color, race, creed, or religion have been sought out and murdered, placed into ghettos, or forced into work camps in the last few generations?’ These are signs of real oppression which many veterans have seen firsthand, hence the knee jerk condemnation of his act and understandable fury. Let’s not confuse our sociological problems, which we should be uniting to solve, with heinous government initiatives. (Settle down, conspiracy theorists. Stay with me for a minute.) The truth is that police officers, who he alluded to as murderers who are paid leave, are by far more likely to help than to hurt someone. And, they are passionate about it. After some hours of contemplation, I have come to the conclusion that Colin Kaepernick is suffering from an identity crisis. And, it’s kind of sad. He hasn’t experienced oppression. He hasn’t really experienced anything. That would be fine, if he was aware of his own ignorance. But instead, Mr. Kaepernick’s deluded sense of self-importance inclined him to recline while the rest of us would stand. Many veterans took it as a slap in the face; I did, too. But, considering the full spectrum of events and the narrow world view that this privileged athlete holds, it is kind of like a slap from a four-year-old. Your gut tells you to be angry: “That’s wrong! Don’t do that.” But, after you realize it is a harmless little guy with more impotence than effectiveness, you should laugh a little at the sheer silliness of it. “You stupid kid. Go out there and throw your football, dummy.”

So, how do we move forward? I certainly don’t know all the answers, but when my black neighbor greets me with a cheerful “good morning” tomorrow as I head out to the gym, and as I wave to the adorable middle-eastern twin toddlers who live two doors down while their hijab wearing mother takes them on their nightly walk, and as I say hello to the Asian gym manager when I walk in, I will be reminded that even though some guy makes $19 million a year and has the spotlight of the country on him at the moment, in all actuality he, and everything he does, is insignificant.

sean-murphy.jpgSean “Doc” Murphy retired from the US Army as a SFC after 15 years of service. As a medic, Doc held every enlisted position in an Infantry Medical Platoon. He served three years with the Iron Rakkasans (3-187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division), and 8 years with the Red Devils (1-504th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division). Doc deployed as a Rakkasan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and three times to Operation Iraqi Freedom as a Devil In Baggy Pants.



Originally from Detroit, Sean resides in Tennessee and divides his time between writing copy and volunteering for various Veteran's Charities.

[Tedlark]

I tried to make out Onenickel's post but I couldn't. This isnt about race Onenickel and if you think it is; you're backing the wrong horse.

[Carcounter]

I actually think he is pissed and depressed that his NFL career is coming to an end. If he felt this strongly about this, why didn't he make his stand before he started the Superbowl game a few years ago? That would have taken guts, but this? Now? Just a petulant child.

[jetermacaw]

Ted when all else fails, the left always tries to divert to race as their go to answer.

[billryan]

I guess people have the right to protest, except when they choose to use it.
Choosing to sit or stand is a fundamental right.
I don't approve of his actions, but I have to defend his right to do so.

[Carcounter]

Yes, he has a right to do it. I agree with Bill on that as well as the fact I certainly don't approve of his actions. I think his timing is interesting, given his current playing status.He would have gotten even more attention if he did in the playoffs leading up to his Superbowl appearannce. Coincidence that he does it now when he is riding the bench?

[jetermacaw]

Agree with Billy 100% that he has the right not to stand, but he is doing so on a false narrative. How in the hell is The American Flag a symbol for the obsession of people of color. Every thing he has is because of that flag. Protest what goes on in Chicago on a daily basis, not what some rogue cop does once in a while. Remember " hands up don't shoot ", never happened. He just said black people do not have a voice, isn't the current POTUS black.

[notes1]

in America, we all have the right to speak our minds, including athletes/celebrities. but, as consumers, I also have the right to respond and hit those I disagree with, where it hurts, their wallet.

I bet there is a campaign right now to contact all of his corporate sponsors and tell them you will never buy another product from them, as long as this guy is their spokesperson.

I have gotten tired of the Hollywood folks using their fame to endorse their personal opinions. it is their right, but, I will not go to their movies. my single protest probably doesn't make any difference, but I feel better about it. and, if enough folks write the sponsors, if enough skip their movies, if enough stop buying tickets to their games, it will make a difference.