We’re only three days into the NBA restart and I’m sick of people making a big deal out of players or coaches not kneeling during the national anthem like everybody is supposed to. They still have the RIGHT to stand if they choose to.
On Saturday night the Miami Heat’s Meyers Leonard chose to stand during the anthem and it was the first headline I saw on Sunday morning. On Saturday morning the headline was Greg Popovich stood for the anthem like there’s something wrong with choosing to stand. That’s ridiculous. No one should have to feel obligated to kneel if their experience in America isn’t the same as yours or if they simply choose to stand.
It’s just like folks several months ago being upset with black folks for kneeling because their experience in America is completely different than their white counterparts in America. It’s called the right to choose.
In speaking with Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated, Leonard, who is white, had this to say, “I think I can be a beacon of light … not only for my voice or platform and action, but in everything I’m doing. I certainly support Black Lives Matter. … I am very aware of what is going on. But I can be both. My patriotism runs deep.”
He went on to say that he’s struggled with his decision on what to do during the anthem. “I haven’t slept. I’m a zombie right now. It’s been difficult because the truth of the matter is I have a loving heart, very compassionate and I’m very aware of what is happening in America today and what has been going on for many years.”
It’s crazy that people are made to feel like they have to kneel for the anthem because it’s the thing to do right now. If his experience in America doesn’t dictate his thirst to do so then he shouldn’t.
There are black folks that don’t feel the need to kneel but they still support the movement because racism is wrong. Police brutality, racial and social injustice is dead wrong. Kneeling is an outward protest of how people feel about it but everyone doesn’t have to kneel.
However, most importantly, if you’re kneeling and not willing to vote you’re wasting everybody’s time. Colin Kaepernick actually admitted after the 2016 election that he didn’t vote. That’s crazy to me. I’d rather you stand and vote than kneel and stay at home on election day. That’s as real as it gets playa.
Vote the racists out of office at every level. Not sit around and complain about what they’re doing in the very office you helped them occupy by NOT voting. Then and only then are you doing your part in the American Democracy. We shouldn’t care who’s standing or kneeling as long as we’re fighting racism together. Later for all of the Pomp and Circumstance. Stop me when I start lyin’!
