Trail Blazers huddle during national anthem as display of unity

That's what my dad always told me. He was a major in the army.

 

I dunno im pretty right leaning politically and i dont see it as a slap to the face. Silly sure, maybe a little misguided, but much more respectful of a message than kneeling because cops are the enemy.

 

Thats what happens, you get all uppity, and then you get a dick in your mouth.

 

What this is really about is equality. White men are not treated equally to black men. White men commit similar crimes and then don't get the same punishments as black men. This is not about percentages of population. It's about sentencing.

This is about black men being shot for having a perceived weapon, while white men can carry a rifle in a towel to a courthouse and just be arrested.

This is about our countryis best quality; continual improvement. We should strive for a better world where equality is for all. That's not the case yet.

 

Do you think "the man" is a new revelation?
It's not.

You have your right to protest their protest, but then when does it stop?
I'm protesting your protest to their protest.

Someone will protest my protest to your protest about their protest.

Nothing is perfect.

Kaperprick is an ignorant man who had a great idea. He failed to express that idea in a way that all would be appeased, but then how do you?

The bigger picture I see here is the fact the Blazers UNITED to do this. Not a few guys doing one thing and another doing something else.

They were going to do something and im just happy they did it together.

 

the constitution says that all white americans count as 1 body during a sensus count and all others are 3/5ths of a body. Meaning Blacks and every other minority.
The people who wrote the national anthem and the constitution were racist in their own right. How much pride should we take in it?

 

Hey, I have an idea! What if all the Blazers just stood in line, listening to the national anthem respectfully, and united, as a team? Wouldn't that be cool?

 

No. It would be the same ole same ole.


If some of you actually think the NBA, a predominately black sport, is going to let this go without making waves... your bound to be disappointed...

They said they would and they ARE doing something. I'm just happy, again, that it is in unison and not some haphazard kneejerk hasty action.

Some people will always find a negative in something though...

 

Freedom of speech is not freedom from condemnation. It's the freedom from governmental repercussions.

As for the National Anthem, it's about national unity, not team unity. Shut the fuck up, take off your hat, and stand at attention, or prepare to be criticized.

 

I'm curious. What are they doing about the 40 or so murders of black people that happen every month in Chicago alone? Murders that are committed by other black people, by the way. Where is the outrage about that? Where are the national protests? I guess if you're a black person killed by another black person you're just shit out of luck. No protest for you!

 

But as for the national anthem, it WAS written with the thought that it was a WHITE unity.
I find it fairly offensive that anyone can be offended by the protest when it is done in unison of whoever is in attendance.

I think its pretty ignorant as well as arrogant for us to get pissed at blacks or any other minority who does not want to pledge alegiance to our flag, based on the words used in the pledge itself.


I pledge allegiance to the flag, FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD....


These are all statements that could be offensive.

First, for which it stands... well when it was written it stood for whites. not slaves.
One nation.... again.. one nation for who? Not slaves....
Under God. Um we started this country on the premise of having separation of church and state, yet we put God on our currency. in our pledges, etc... hypocrisy is rampant.

And yet we want to get pissed at those who are showing a peaceful protest to the current racial inequalities by NOT pledging allegiance to our flag? A flag that represents a country that was founded and created its wealth on the backs of slaves?

Come on now. Stand up straight and shut the fuck up????
Seriously?

It's pretty obvious many who have ruffled feathers over this are largely ignorant to how this nation was really created, and who our rights were meant for when we wrote them down...


Now I will say this:

The protests are all fine and dandy and have a positive meaning, but will it change anything? No.
Why? Because its a mass showing that is a temp movement.

You want to know how and what will actually make a change?

Treating each other like we would like to be treated on an individual level. Give respect to each other.
Help thy neighbor raise thy barn.

Its the only way we will see a change and this change will take a long time. No movement or law will help. Its up to each person individually to treat each other equally and respectfully.

Until this happens there will continue to be problems....

 

If you don't want to say the Pledge, fine, don't say the Pledge. But shut the fuck up and show some respect while others are saying it, or don't be surprised if you're criticized.

And until rioters are no longer called "peaceful protesters," this (or any other) movement has zero credibility.

 

They've got millions of people talking about an issue that we've swept under the rug for far too long. I'd say that's a pretty big first step towards something.

 

I love how you ignored most of my post.

Its been years since I was studying, or discussing this, so my wording was not exactly correct. The point being is it still holds truths. When we wrote the constitution, not all were treated equal even though it says we were created equal.

Yes, whole free persons and 3/5ths for everyone else.
Who owned slaves? The Chinese? Blacks? The Native Americans?
No. White euro transfers did.
So yes,my wording was not correct, but the implication of the wording is still there.

 

I am having flashbacks to the 60's and early 70's. The same argument was made then. Hell Hoover even planted agitators in the protests so they lost credibility. Not saying they are doing that now, but this issue is going to get worse before it gets better.
It is a complex issue. Arguments can be made on both sides, but change has to come from both sides. Keeping the conversation out of sports would be nice, but ignoring the problem and hoping it is going to go away has not worked.

I think most of the players are being pressured into the limelight because of Ali, Brown and Kareem. I doubt they really want the attention. But I would not say the movement has zero credibility. They are forcing more dialogue, and in this situation that can't be bad. What is the alternative? Obviously walking or driving around with a weapon is not smart, but shooting a suspect 15 times because he has a knife or is running away is not the answer. Sure the police need the ability to protect themselves or we won't have a police force, but still.....there needs to be a better alternative than what is happening. From both sides.

 

This^

I still have not heard one valid reason why the anthem is played before sporting events in this day and age.

It's completely manufactured and artificial patriotism that belongs nowhere near the arena. You don't say the pledge or start your day at work by honoring the flag in any school or workplace any longer -- why keep forcing that down people's throats at sporting events?