The NFL Knee

Last year, Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers sat on the bench during the national anthem. It was to support the Black Lives Matter movement. Anger at racism in this country. But, many said it disrespected the flag. Carrying into this season, many players take a knee.

I feel like sitting on the bench actually disrespects the flag. However, kneeling is okay. It's a show of reverence. Sitting when standing is an option is a sign of disrespect. But, the message Kaepernick was going for got drowned out over the "sit, kneel, or stand" political debate. It makes me wonder his true motives.

I support the message in general he's trying to send. Supporting Black Lives Matter is saying "racism is an awful thing. It needs to stop!" He should have done it in a different way. In an interview for a magazine or a sports TV show. He could have written an article for Sports Illustrated on this topic including personal experiences and interviews. There are other ways.

Then the focus would be on the message he's trying to send. By choosing to sit and later kneel, people are forgetting WHY he did it. He's getting attention. Publicity. But, few remember why he did it in the first place. His intention was to protest a racist country, not disrespect the flag. But, that's where the focus really lies now. On what respects the flag and what doesn't.

There are protests going on. Many die-hard football fans say it's ruining the enjoyment of the game. I can understand that. Players are doing it to make headlines. There are headlines about it all over. People are talking about it. Arguing about it too.

But, they aren't talking or arguing about racism when they talk about the kneeling. They are talking and arguing about the flag. How is that going to help end racism? How is that getting cops to think twice about how they handle pulling a black person over?

In my town I was taking a walk a couple of weeks ago on the main street. I came across a black man having been pulled over. No one had a gun out. His hands weren't on the wheel. The officer talked to him but didn't give him a ticket. No one seemed scared. No one was disrespectful. We are a small town with a small police force. I was in the car when the same officer pulled my mom over a few years ago. He handled it the same way for her. No racism.

That's what we need. When a pattern for racism develops for an officer, he needs to be let go. It's an issue that police academies need to address before graduation. Our town is very strong about cultivating a relationship between the police and the community. EVERYONE in the community. Yes, they do give tickets. But, they won't racially profile when dealing with the driver. I am proud of that. This is where we as a country need to be.

But, you won't find that message kneeling during the Pledge of Allegiance at an NFL game.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/26/us/nfl-kneeling-national-anthem-black-lives-matter.html