DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Kaepernick refuses to stand for National Anthem

The Seahawks are contemplating a team wide protest gesture during the national anthem.

This is becoming very "Hey look at me! I'm doing stuff too!"

They are planning a team activity in support of the flag, and anthem.

Doug Baldwin: Seahawks to honor flag, country with 'demonstration of unity' - CBSSports.com
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/doug-b...ation-of-unity/

Late Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, rumors circulated that Seattle Seahawks players were considering engaging in a group protest of sorts during the singing of the national anthem before their season opener against the Miami Dolphins. On Thursday afternoon, wide receiver Doug Baldwin confirmed that the entire team will act as one during the anthem prior to the game, but the action is described not as a protest, but a "demonstration of unity."

Doug Baldwin Jr ✔@DougBaldwinJr
To express a desire to bring people together, our team will honor the country and flag in a pregame demonstration of unity.
3:42 PM - 8 Sep 2016
2,366 2,366 Retweets 4,661 4,661 likes

There is no word on just what that "demonstration of unity" might be, but Seahawks players will apparently all be taking a stand together for a cause they believe in.
Of course, this news comes in the wake of 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's protest of the national anthem. Kaepernick says he will not stand for the anthem until there is real change in the way people of color are treated in America. Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane is one of a few players that joined Kaepernick in refusing to stand, taking a seat during the Seahawks' final preseason game against the Oakland Raiders.
Baldwin had previously posted to Facebook a message that he received from a friend that served in Special Forces who said he would support Baldwin and the Seahawks taking some sort of stand during the national anthem:

Doug Baldwin
on Monday
I have the honor of knowing some amazing people that serve and have served our country in the military. One of them, a friend that served in the Special Forces, responded to my text asking him what he thought about me kneeling during the national anthem. I thought it was appropriate to share what he had to say:
"I'd respect your passion and desire to make a statement about an incredibly important issue that we have to talk about as a nation.
I also feel like, as a white man,... it's impossible for me to say I understand what it is to experience real and widespread racism. I can't relate to the depth and significance of those wounds. It's not a story I've lived, and I'm not going to pretend I have any personal authority on the issue.
What I will say is I know racism is real. And I know it shouldn't be. And I know that the only way I can help us get to where racism loses its power in our Nation is for me to listen, respect, and love my friends who have experienced it in their lives.
And if taking a knee during our anthem is how you share your pain with me ... Then I will stand behind you while you do and lay any man down who tries to stop you.
I saw a kid take a knee during the anthem, and he put his hand on his heart too. It was powerful for me to see him do that.
Our Nation has to take this issue on. It stands between us and our becoming the Tribe we need to be, and the world needs us to be.

Couldn't you support the flag, anthem, and all it stands for by bringing to light oppression?

Perhaps, but to me it isn't what this sounds like.

j/c

This story has gained a life of its own.
I'm not surprised.
So has this thread.
That doesn't surprise me either.

I've tried to imagine what would happen if I simply laid my bow across my lap and 'sat out' the playing of our National Anthem at a performance. I really don't want to take myself there, because:

1. It's not how I was raised.
2. It may NOT have been how My Father raised me, but it was something he actually did (in his own way) as a young Black man.

In May of this year, I helped my dear friends (the Brown Family) lay to rest My Father's best friend. 'Uncle Paul' and Pops couldn't have been more opposite in background/appearance, but couldn't be more aligned in matters of the heart/soul. Pops came from Beaverdam, a tiny town 15 miles north of Lima. He was the product of a 100+ year-old family lineage that created one of the most racially-diverse family trees in the nation. He had a 'swarthy, Mediterranean appearance,' with straight, jet-black hair. In short, he was the kind of 'Negro' who could "pass for White." If he chose to. But he never did. Not even once.

When I was about 11 years old, I asked him about it- and all he said was this:

"When your Mom takes you to the library this weekend, look up the 'One-Drop Rule."
I did what My Pops had instructed... and we never had to have a follow-up discussion. I understood. With my half-formed, adolescent brain, I understood.

Uncle Paul was born deep in Alabama, in 1928. He was a rich, dark 'bittersweet chocolate brown,' -and could in no way 'pass' any one's "color test." His family sent him north of the Mason-Dixon line to have a shot at a life that they could never provide him. They sent him away from everything he knew, to a totally new world.

And those two 'brothers at heart' staged a 2-man sit-down strike in the dining room of Lima's Kewpee hamburger shop... a full half-decade before this iconic photograph was taken:



Imagine:

Mid-1950's. Lima, OH.

A local Mom&Pop burger joint had always had a serving policy in-place since their debut in 1928: "We serve all Lima citizens who can pay. Whites can sit and eat, Blacks must take their food 'to-go.' "

On one hand, this establishment was about as 'progressive' as one might expect for the times... but Paul Brown and Robert Clemens Sr. didn't see it that way. And so... they performed their own version of a 'Kaepernick' in Lima, OH- of all places.

In 1955... one year before I was born.
My Dad- the "Top Cop" in our town for more than 10 years... pulled "a Kaepernick" of his own- at a time when Colin Kaepernick's grandparents were producing the raw materials that created him.

So, can you you see my own personal dilemma with this 2016 issue?

As My Father's son, I'm torn in half by the traditionalist, WWII vet, 'pro-America' way in which he raised me- and the knowledge of the risks he took (with my Uncle Paul) at a time when both of them could have been found swinging from a tree a few miles outside of the town that I call My First Home.

I now live a life that My Grandfather couldn't even imagine for his progeny. I ply my chosen trade with people of high quality/character, who accept and love me me for the Human Being I've made of myself. But I couldn't have done this "American Dream' thing without the sacrifices of those who set me up for success.

I'm not "one of the lucky ones." I'm a product of a family who chose to MAKE America be who she always claimed to be, at a time when she was perfectly content to 'let things play out in the fullness of time.' It wasn't Luck that propelled me to to Carnegie Hall, as I plied my chosen profession...

It was spine.
It was strength.
It was personal fortitude.

______________


Longtown, Ohio was a slap in the face of "conventional wisdom" about Race In America. My ancestors collaborated with Whites and First Nation people to create a town where race wasn't a social, political or economic issue.

Uncle Paul and My Pops smacked 'Social America' in her face once again... when they made My Hometown deal with a venerable local institution's service policies.


If ever there comes a time when this gray-haired old man sets his bow across his lap and refuses to play the National Anthem at a public event- please understand, up-front:

It won't have been chosen lightly, or without deep personal reflection.

I don't wear 'piggy socks.'
I don't view these issues as avenues to personal attention.
I am not Colin Kaepernick.

But I am an American... and I have something to say about the way America handles her business.

I care about America becoming whom she has always claimed herself to be... even though haven't reached that place, yet.

And so.... as I approach my 60th year on this planet, I have to re-examine myself (once again)- and ask myself: "What do you want your name to stand for, as you write your own "American Story?"

Part of me wants to stand proud... and acknowledge the advancements that My Family made when all the odds were against them. Part of me wants to sit- and bring to light all the ways in which America has fallen short of the promise inscribed upon the base of the statue of liberty.

It's an internal fight that has been tearing at my soul since I reached the age of social cognition. I confess that I've not yet found a place where I can comfortably exist.

All I know it this: I can't talk about this from Colin Kaepernick's POV. I can only touch on BLM's points from an interested bystander's POV, agreeing with them when we are of like mind, and disagreeing when we aren't. I can only talk to you Dawgs about what my life has been like- for better or worse- and hope that a handful of you actually hear me. Me- an American citizen, living his own personal version of This American Life.

My Dad and my Uncle Paul stood up tall for an injustice that America was OK with, back in the day. They both proudly served in WW II, raised their progeny to respect the traditions of our country, and also found/made to stand (TF) up to racist crap that held our country back.

I think I'm fulfilling my family's mandate by sharing my life experiences with you all. I think I'm doing right by My Family's legacy, when I share these experiences/family history with you all.

Who's to say if I'm extending My Family's legacy in 2016?
Who's to say if I'm doing all that I need to?

I guess I'll finally find out when I check out of the here/now... and see My Pops and my Uncle Paul again.

One thing's for sure:
The issue that CK has brought to attention is not something new. As I have said before, I'm not inclined to express myself in the same manner as he... but I DO understand the need to talk about it openly- by whatever mechanisms bring about that discussion.

I HATE that Our Nation makes me feel so torn.
I HATE that I've been put in this place by our history and our national legacy.
I HATE that this isn't a 'cut and dried' issue.


.02,
Clem.

Sunday is 9/11.

I don't think not standing on that particular day would be a very wise choice.

Exactly. How dare them even consider or think during a day like that. If Seattle as a team does it, then Seattle as a team (to me) are just as much losers as our Browns, but just in a different form and fashion.

How ungrateful.

Saw something on the Seattle Seahawks that they have some kind of "show of unity" on this issue planned for Sunday, not sure what it is all about but they had the one guy who said he planned to kneel. Will the whole team kneel?

Last night, YTown posted an article about it at 11:52 P.M. if you want to take a look at it.

OK, read the article and don't know any more than I did before.

At one point it says the show of unity is to SUPPORT the flag and the anthem.. then it goes on about kneeling... then the touching quote from the Special Forces guy about supporting him if he kneels..

I still have no idea what they have planned.

I think the whole 9/11 thing throws a monkey wrench into this weekend for this "statement"

Don't want to stand? Fine. That's your right. But I personally find it disrespectful to kneel/sit THIS weekend

LOL.........I couldn't figure it out either. I was hoping one of you smart guys could figure out what their plan was.

I think the sign of unity will be something like them all linking arms or something like that. I just don't know if they'll be standing, marching, or kneeling.

Then again, I could be way off.

Broncos' Marshall dumped by sponsor after protesting during national anthem - CBSSports.com
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bronco...ational-anthem/

Less than 24 hours after protesting during the national anthem, Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall is already facing some backlash.

Marshall's decision to kneel during the anthem has cost him an endorsement deal with Air Academy Federal Credit Union. The company announced on Friday that it's severing all ties with the Broncos linebacker.

"Although we have enjoyed Brandon Marshall as our spokesperson over the past five months, Air Academy Federal Credit Union (AAFCU) has ended our partnership," the AAFCU said in a statement. "AAFCU is a membership-based organization who has proudly served the military community for over 60 years. While we respect Brandon's right of expression, his actions are not a representation of our organization and membership. We wish Brandon well on his future endeavors."

Marshall is the first player who's lost an endorsement deal over his decision to protest. Colin Kaepernick, Jeremy Lane and Eric Reid have also been protesting during the national anthem over the past two weeks.

For Marshall, the decision to protest came at the last second.
"I thought about it all the way up until when the lady was going to start singing," Marshall said after the game, via Yahoo.com. "I was like, hmm, they're going to get on me. At the end of the day, I'm definitely good with my decision."

Although the AAFCU specifically mentioned the military in its statement, Marshall said after Denver's 21-20 win that he has no issues with the military.

"I'm against social injustice," Marshall said. "I'm not against the military, the police or America at all. I'm against social injustice. I felt this was the right thing to do."
As for why he made the decision to protest, Marshall says he the chance to be seen by millions of viewers was the perfect time to do it.

"This is the right platform," Marshall said. "This is our only platform to be heard. I think a lot of times people want us to just shut up and entertain them, shut up and play football. But we have issues as well. We're educated individuals who went to college. When we have an opinion, I feel like a lot of people bash us for it."

Losing an endorsement deal wasn't the only blowback Marshall received. Many Twitter users cheered after the Broncos linebacker suffered an injury and had to be evaluated for a concussion during the second quarter of Denver's win.

Good, now let the police unions get involved and these spoiled, egocentric, self important blowhards will finally get the message that being American comes with a price. One that we ALL have paid one way or another through life lost. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins or dear friends.

I'm just not in the mood to patronize this issue anymore.

Let them carry on or get over themselves and their inflated ego. I will ignore it.

Proud of the Broncos who all stood last night. There is integrity and dignity in the face of adversity.

We have all paid a price one way or another for being American. Get over it.

It's NOT your only platform. I suggest you actually get your hands dirty and do what Ray Lewis said by going back to the hoods and try to find solutions, rather than drawing attention to yourself as some false crusader for justice.

Too much talk, not enough action!

Colin Kaepernick Tops Jersey Sales In NFL


Colin Kapernick is not even listed as the starting quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers as of September 6, but there is no player in the National Football League selling more jerseys than the backup QB.


http://www.forbes.com/sites/darrenheitne...l/#3968fb9a39a1


That's a reason to kneel?

I wonder if each jersey comes with a free Bic lighter?

Yeah, and guys like Steven A. Smith are saying crap like he was not starting because of his stance.

Uhmmmmm...........the guy lost his job LAST year to Blaine "Freaking" Gabbert.

What's the correct way to protest? None of these players are advocating violence, nor are they being violent.

Did you not take the time to listen to Ray Lewis? Have you ignored the posts about taking action and finding solutions?

I'm just a cheerleader, remember?

I think what they are saying is that they need to do more than just protest.

However, wearing socks depicting officers as pigs is a bit disturbing. This is especially so given the current climate and divide within the nation. This type of activity fuels the fires of those vulnerable members of society. Who knows where that may lead?

Seattle players will interlock, not sit the anthem. That's a good statement

So do they.. disagree.. with Kap?

I think theyre just making a statement about racial solidarity without disrespecting anyone

I love how people cry about these guys sitting during the national anthem knowing damn well y'all sit on y'all asses at home while the anthem is playing.

But we got a lot of do as I say not as I do posters around here so it's whatever, apparently.

I think you are 100% correct.

I also think that they came up w/a great way to address the situation. Kudos to them.

Yeah, I agree

Why? Because I said you were 100% correct?


Just kidding, Dawg.

Classy Seahawks move! Just classy as well as full of a message of unification. Effective, respectful and full of meaning.

What did they do?

They all stood and interlocked arms.

Adam Schefter on NFL Network said the original plan was for them to kneel, and then place their hands over their heart. Members of the organization who served in the military asked them not to. So, the players compromised with this.

I dislike how many throw a meaning of "the SSB and flag only objectively stand for the military", but I believe meaning can get subjective in cases like this.

Meanwhile, this will probably make many of you mad. It happened in New England after the anthem:

Why would that make anyone mad?

Josh Gordon bought a 3 pack.

I have a serious question for you people, there are a lot of you that support what these players have done in protest. My question is has it had enough of an impact on you to actually go out and do something about the problem? Has it inspired you to spend time going out working in the neighborhoods and with police to try to resolve issues and educate on how to interact with others to solve the oppression problems?