Kellyanne Conway threw manners out the Oval Office window to take a snapshot of Donald Trump with leaders of black universities and colleges. Kellyanne left her high heel shoes on as she knelt on a couch to take a photo of the prez and dozens…
Showing posts with label Kneels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kneels. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Megan Rapinoe Kneels for National Anthem, Is on Team Kaepernick
Megan Rapinoe is a member of the U.S. National Soccer Team.
But she’s also a member of Team Colin Kaepernick.
The San Francisco 49ers quarterback has become a topic of national debate after refusing to stand for the national anthem prior to a couple recent preseason football games.
He has made it clear that he plans to continue this protest once the actual season gets underway as well.
Upon initially taking this stance, Kaepernick explained his controversial decision as follows:
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color…
“To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
In subsequent interviews, Kaepernick specifically cited violent confrontations between members of the police and members of the African-American community that resulted in the latter being killed.
The story has become a global sensation.
President Obama even commented on Kaepernick’s protest over the weekend.
He said that the quarterback was exercising his “constitutional right,” that he’s following in the tradition of other famous athletes and “I think he cares about some real legitimate issues that have to be talked about.”
Here’s a look at Obama making these remarks:
Kaepernick has added that he will continue to make his voice heard until there is “significant change” in the world and he’s also pledged to donate $ 1 million to charities that help communities in need.
Before you criticize Kaepernick, perhaps you should ask yourself:
What are you actively doing to bring about social justice?
No, standing up for the national anthem does not count.
So that brings us to Megan Rapinoe.
A midfielder for the Seattle Reign FC in the National Women’s Soccer League, she took a knee while The Star-Spangled Banner played prior to kickoff against the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday night.
Yes, she later told reporters, his was an intentional move.
Rapinoe explained that she took stand because she’s disgusted with the way Kaepernick has been treated by critics.
Some folks really seem to think that the symbolic gesture of standing up during the national anthem is somehow more important or effective that the proactive stance against injustice that Kaepernick is trying to take.
Rapinoe added that she can relate to Kaepernick on an oppressed level, too.
“Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties,” she said.
“It was something small that I could do and something that I plan to keep doing in the future and hopefully spark some meaningful conversation around it.
“It’s important to have white people stand in support of people of color on this.”
What do you think of Rapinoe’s act?
What do you think of John Legend calling The Star-Spangled Banner weak?
What do you think of veterans standing with Kaepernick across the nation? Does it change your viewpoint at all?
Friday, September 2, 2016
Colin Kaepernick Kneels During Anthem, Makes $1 Million Pledge
As a starting quarterback, Colin Kaepernick often bolted from the pocket at the first sign of pressure from the defensive line.
As a controversial protestor, however, Colin Kaepernick isn’t going anywhere in the face of ongoing criticism.
The San Francisco 49ers quarterback refused to stand during the playing of the national anthem prior to a preseason football game last week.
After cameras found Kaepernick glued to the bench, he explained to reporters that he felt a responsibility to take some kind action against racial injustice in America.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick said, adding:
“To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.
“There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
In subsequent comments, Kaepernick brought up the recent deaths of African-American citizens in confrontations with white police officers and said he would continue his protest until he saw “significant change.”
And he meant it.
On Thursday evening, Kaepernick kneeled on the sideline while the Star-Spangled Banner played overhead prior to his team’s matchup against the San Diego Chargers.
In this case, Petty Officer 1st Class Steven Powell sang the anthem, as 240 military officers held the U.S. flag on a night when the home team hosted the 28th annual Salute to the Military night.
But the quarterback wasn’t alone this time around.
Teammate Eric Reid also dropped to a knee.
Elsewhere on Thursday, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane refused to stand during the national anthem before his game against the Oakland Raiders.
“I’ll continue to sit,” Kaepernick said earlier this week.
“I’m gonna continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed. To me, this is something that has to change.
“When there’s significant change and I feel like that flag represents what it’s supposed to represent and this country is representing people the way that it’s supposed to, I’ll stand.”
However, Kaepernick is doing more than merely kneeling on the ground for a couple minutes in protest.
He has announced plans to donate the first $ 1 million he earns this year to charities that assist communities in need.
“I’ve been very blessed to be in this position and to be able to make the kind of money I do,” Kaepernick said after last night’s game.
“And I have to help these people. I have to help these communities. It’s not right that they’re not put in a position to succeed or given those opportunities to succeed.”
Kaepernick also said he spoke to a military veteran before the game about his cause.
He received the man’s full support and explains that he took to a knee, as opposed to sitting all the way down, to “try to show more respect to the men and women that fight for this country.”
Kaepernick has received some celebrity support, as well.
John Legend, for example, says the Star-Spangled Banner is weak and that “America the Beautiful” should be our anthem instead.
Either way, this is where things now stand:
Colin Kaepernick is taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem.
He’s doing so to draw attention to racial inequality in a country that prides itself as being the “land of the free” and he’s now giving $ 1 million to causes that are trying to help with this issue.
And there’s a single person out there who has a problem with this? Why?!?!?!?!?!?!?
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