Today the NFL owners, with ZERO input from the players' union, laid down their new policy with regard to taking the knee during the National Anthem at NFL games. I hope it winds up in the courts real soon, because it sure as hell looks like an infringement on freedom of speech to me.
Basically, the policy states that players must stand for the anthem, or remain in the locker room. No disrespect for the anthem or the flag will be tolerated, and teams ignore the policy at their peril. Violators WILL be fined. I assume this means both teams and individuals.
I should have expected a response this tone-deaf from a bunch of rich white guys, but even in this age of Trump, I keep hoping for the best from people. And I keep being disappointed by them.
First of all, taking the knee during the national anthem has absolutely nothing to do with the flag. Let's state this again: Taking the knee during the national anthem has absolutely nothing to do with disrespecting the American flag.
Players, particularly those of color, began taking the knee during the anthem as a way of pointing out the inequities in American society, especially within the justice system, which inordinately and negatively affect people of color. Those broad stripes and bright stars are not the same for everybody, and the players got sick of pretending that they are, especially since they the ones essentially providing gladiatorial entertainment for the American masses.
Recent tragic events provide a classic example of what I mean. The tragedy at the Texas high school this week which resulted in eight dead students and two dead faculty was perpetrated by a white man. A white man, in a long black trenchcoat, armed. Yet law enforcement managed to take him alive. Contrast that with the tragedy of Philando Castile, who did not survive a TRAFFIC STOP, despite being calm and polite and compliant. Compare that with Milwaukee Bucks player Sterling Brown who was tased and arrested over a parking violation.
No white family I know of has to have "the talk" with their children on how to survive an encounter with police. Police for white kids are their friends and someone to turn to in time of trouble. To a kid of color, they are a hazard to be negotiated, or a danger that many do not survive.
I believe that the players have a right to protest their views in any way that seems fit to them. I believe that their right to free speech and free expression has been grossly infringed upon by this new policy. I realize that during this age of jingoism and Trump, to force players to either stand or remove themselves has great appeal for the Trump base, who probably also watch a lot of football. It doesn't make it right.
While I have never been a huge fan of football, for a variety of reasons both personal and political, I will be boycotting the game and its sponsors until this egregious infringement on the right of free speech is rescinded. This should not be allowed to stand, folks.
