Last week, the U.S. Soccer Federation retracted its requirement that players stand during the anthem, saying the policy was wrong and detracted from the Black Lives Matter movement. Around the same time, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell responded by saying the NFL had made mistakes and will now encourage players to speak out.
And while Goodell said the league would support peaceful protest by its players, some people are wondering if this will include kneeling for the National Anthem. The kneeling thing all started when former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt for the national anthem September 1, 2016, before a road game against the Chargers,
Kaepernick had a very good reason for doing so. He wanted to bring to light how the United States “oppresses black people and people of color.” Even in 2016, Goodell said he “doesn’t necessarily agree with what (Kaepernick) is doing,” but supports players who seek changes in society.
Of course, Trump has been very verbal on his condemnation of anyone kneeling for the Star-Spangled Banner, and in particular, NFL players. And if you think Trump is going to be any less upset if the kneeling resumes, think back to September 22, 2018, after the 49ers’ game against the Rams.
Trump wishes NFL owners would tell anthem protesters “get that son of a bitch off the field right now” pic.twitter.com/gq4EH3lNoY
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) September 23, 2017
Trump was speaking at a rally in Huntsville, Alabama, and told his campaign supporters, “wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when someone disrespects our flag to say, ‘get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out. He’s fired. He’s fired.” However, even back in 2017, Trump really had no idea what Kaepernick and other NFL players were trying to say.
Oppression of Black Americans has to end
A lot has happened since 2017, and not all of it is good. The number of Black Americans killed by police continues to be disproportionately higher than other groups, and that has not changed one iota. However, the death of African-American man George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer – who kneeled on his neck for almost nine minutes – may have finally woke people, both black and white, up.
George Floyd’s death was not in vain. His death put new meaning into the word “oppression,” and just to be clear, oppression is the “unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power.” And that is exactly what has been happening for generations in the United States.
If our national anthem means what it says, then we must respect individuals’ decisions about how and whether to honor it. Frankly, kneeling seems pretty reverential. Are we really the “land of the free” if our citizens are forced to stand? June 14, 2020
Trump cannot gloss over what is happening in this country. Trump has been a vocal critic of players kneeling during the anthem, previously tweeting that NFL players who did so were “disrespecting our Country & our Flag.” Eric Reid — a former teammate of Kaepernick, will tell you it is about the racial and social injustice that is rampant in this country.
Trump claims be won’t watch the NFL
Trump responded to a tweet from Republican congressman Matt Gaetz, who criticized U.S, Soccer’s stance on kneeling. Trump responded saying: “I won’t be watching much anymore.”
In a follow-up post on social media, Trump added: “And it looks like the NFL is heading in that direction also, but not with me watching.” But with Goodell’s decision to change the NFL’s stance on kneeling, Trump questioned Goodell’s decision, saying it is “disrespecting our country and our flag”.
Now, I can certainly understand why we are having massive protests all over the country, and I can understand why sports teams want to continue kneeling when the anthem is played. Oppression of Black Americans is a much bigger issue than Trump can wrap his mind around, and he seems too ignorant to realize this.
So I ask you – does anyone really care if Trump decides not to watch a football or soccer game this year? Personally, I really don’t care.
