Shut Up and Play! How America Censors
American AthletesBy Christopher Lara
Colin Kaepernick versus the NFL, a case kept alive by Kaepernick which the NFL desperately wanted to disappear. Kaep decided to hire California lawyer, Mark Geragos, to represent him in the lawsuit where he accuses the league of conspiring in order to keep him off any NFL team because of his protests during the national anthem. This seems to be the only logical reason because experience and skill wise, Kaep is a great player, more specifically a great quarterback, so I find it hard to believe why NFL teams would not mind picking him up from his free agency.
This case was originally about Kaepernick’s skills, however it turned into something much larger, it focused more on ethics, and his freedom of speech. NFL teams have signed players who have beaten their wives and girlfriends, and have been involved in illegal crimes, some including drugs, but protesting during the national anthem seems to be the one unforgivable action. So I find it hard to believe why teams can easily hire criminals but can not hire a peaceful protester.
Since Kaepernick instigated the protest that shook the nation, players followed with similar actions, also dropping to one knee to protest the injustices that continue against the people of color and minorities, his moment developed into a movement. Although what a lawyer explains to be a win for Kaepernick, it is a loss for the people, as America continues to just pay off the people who are the voice for the minorities.
Colin Kaepernick remains unsigned by any team, and it is highly improbable that any NFL team will decide to rehire him. After the former 49ers number seven decided to kneel during the national anthem everything just went downhill for his career, which brought upon nationwide attention. But why was he never rehired? What was so wrong that it had to be taken this far.
This man was criticised harshly until he was fired from the NFL. We even had Donald Trump referring to this man as a “son of a b*itch”, he even suggested he should leave the country if he did not want to salute the United States flag. Well, what about the religious groups that do not allow for standing during the national anthem. Religious groups such as Jehovah witnesses do not stand during the national anthem. So what are you gonna do Trump? You stripped Colin Kaepernick’s right to peacefully protest, I think it is only fair if you strip Jehovah witnesses’ freedom of religion. WRONG, it is completely unlawful and unconstitutional to do either of the two.
I do not understand how an individual who exercised his first amendment can be looked down upon, hated, and put down. You would think times have changed after segregation, but that is not the case, we once again live in a society where our own president puts down the minority. Why is it so easy to fire an NFL player for exercising his first amendment, but it is so difficult to place the white police officer who shoots and sometimes kills a minority individual? This is why Colin Kaepernick decided to protest in the first place, he was not going to stand during the national anthem to protest against racial discrimination, police brutality, and shootings which targeted African-American people and people of color. Other athletes and Colin Kaepernick also knelt in order “to speak for those who are voiceless”.
Critics decided to point out the argument that these protests disrespect the members of the armed forces. However, servicemen and women fight for people to maintain their rights and do with it as they wish. Whether or not these servicemen or women agree with how individuals are exercising their right is not their main issue. Situations like this is what is dividing the nation and tearing it apart.
This is an issue which should not be ignored as it is not the first time something like this happens. In May of 2018, Lebron James, arguably the best basketball player in the NBA, had an interview with ESPN in which he discusses several things, one mainly focussing on politics. Laura Ingraham, a white reporter, responded to Lebron’s comments, she said his comments were “ungrammatical” and “barely intelligible”. She continued by saying, “It’s always unwise to seek political advice from someone who gets paid $100 million a year to bounce a ball . . . Keep the political comments to yourselves.” (Sullivan), she then demanded Lebron to just shut up and dribble.
Team owners and top league decision makers should make attempt to support their players. These people have to develop a plan that will support players trying to speak out, despise the opposition from the public. We have to put an end to this make sure athletes like Colin Kaepernick are not just demanded to shut up and play. If America continues to censor our athletes, then who will be the voice for those who are voiceless? No one, that is the sad truth.
Sources
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/19/587097707/laura-ingraham-told-lebron-ja mes-to-shutup-and-dribble-he-went-to-the-hoop
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000691077/article/colin-kaepernick-explains-why-he-sat -during-national-anthem
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/donald-trump-nfl-should-have-suspended-colin-kaepernick- for-kneeling/
https://www.ccsj.edu/cms/shavings/2017/12/01/some-religions-dont-allow-for-standing-during-t he-national-anthem/
