11 September 2016

Patriotism and professional football


Today the beginning of the regular season for the National Football League coincides with the anniversary of 9/11.  Displays of patriotism will be everywhere.  This is a good time to post some excerpts from an essay at Moyers & company:
When the national anthem is playing at stadiums, fans don’t immediately drop what they are doing and stand to attention. Many unsubtly check their phones. Many are out buying hot dogs and beer (and don’t flinch in the line when the song begins). Many use the anthem as a chance to go and take a leak before kickoff. So, what? They’re all Kaepernick-esque traitors? (And, while we’re at it, let’s ask TV stations to zoom in on the owner’s luxury skyboxes during the national anthem to see exactly what is going on in there....)

This was all about sensitivity and feelings, we were told, and knowing when and where to make a stand so as not to offend the delicate, silent majority. We respect your right to voice an opinion, Colin, but won’t you think of the children?!? And what place could be more overflowing with sensitivity than an NFL stadium? 
More at the link.

2 comments:

  1. I salute Kaepernick for making a statement. He's got it made, and for him to do this really sends a message that his values are more important to him than mere lip service to the flag/anthem. He stands with those who have suffered and even died because of the color of their skin.

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  2. Those who call Kaepernick a traitor are forgetting one simple fact; standing for the National Anthem is a tradition, not a law, not even a rule. There is nothing anywhere that says it's a requirement, and he therefore has every right to express himself freely when and where he pleases. His actions harm no one, and are a reflection of his feelings and values. And the truly sad part is, that's what America is supposed to stand for. So who are the real traitors here?

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