Trump has a real opportunity with the anthem protests, but, undoubtedly, he will waste it.

[Twilight Hue]

Why do you think racism is not an issue anymore in the U.S.? What are you basing this claim on?

I said it wasn't an issue as it applies to the majority of people living in the US.

I didn't say racism itself wasn't an issue anymore.

 

[leibowde84]

Scalia said so. From Antonin Scalia Declares 'Racism is Over'

"Even the most casual student of our country’s legal system should know that racism hasn’t existed since 1964 when we passed the Civil Rights Act. So obviously there’s no possible way for my statement to be considered racist if racism hasn’t existed for fifty years! I mean come on, racism? It’s 2015 people, racism is over."

Wow ... Scalia was so incredibly out of touch with reality. Anyone who is stupid enough to think that racism doesn't exist should be ridiculed on a regular basis ... even posthumously.

 

[leibowde84]

I said it wasn't an issue as it applies to the majority of people living in the US.

I didn't say racism itself wasn't an issue anymore.

What about the majority of minorities? Do you think that the majority of minorities don't face racial prejudice anymore? If so, what are you basing this on?

In my experience, I still see racial prejudice every day, and I live in a very liberal city (Washington, DC). Sure, it has gotten worlds better since the 50s, 60s, and 70s, but there is still a very long way to go.

I think the players are trying to challenge the assumption you are making. Racism is still a major issue for minorities. They want people to be aware of the struggle so that people don't assume that racism is nothing to worry about anymore.

 

[Enoch07]

Boycott?! Good luck with that. Never going to happen.

But, it doesn't matter. Many people will stop protesting many issues if their employers threaten to fire them.

As an American, I stand behind their right to protest peacefully. They think racial prejudice in the Government and police brutality are real issues worth fighting. If Trump can tell private businesses to fire employees for protesting while he is working, why shouldn't NFL players be able to make political statements while they are working?

They can protest. But if the fans stop spending money, the NFL will dry up.

 

[Enoch07]

So, are you saying that you don't think there is a problem with racial prejudice in the US, or are you saying that the players are lying about their reasoning for protesting?

What are you basing this opinion on?

I don't understand how anyone could be against protesting racial prejudice, as they players are claiming to do. So, I would assume that your disgust with this must be based on something else. Please explain.

If they were really upset because black folk are being killed by the hundreds in the streets. They would address the gang violence in Chicago where black on black murder rates are many times higher than white on black murder rate.

https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-09-29/race-and-homicide-in-america-by-the-numbers

These numbers are insanely high considering the population difference.

But hey facts suck nowadays right?

 

[Enoch07]

^ speaking of bullcrap ...

 

[Lyndon]

There are undoubtfully racial problems and serious issues, but I doubt it's to the extent that people are putting it out as in terms of a nationwide epidemic.

I don't buy it entirely, and those issues are blown hugely out of proportion.

We're just not in the 40s and 50s anymore as much as people try to think and make it out like it is.

Most black folks are right on par with whites today and most people, white and black, don't even casually talk about or consider race in the real world because most people in this country actually get along reasonably well with some exceptions made to some areas of the country that people like the spotlight as an overall national epidemic.

I think a lot of people, the majority of all colors and races, are just getting sick of hearing the continual saga of whites continually oppressing black folks for no reason other than their skin color. Most white people today are not like that as much as some minorities try to make you think that most white people are that way.

Also why was the anthem itself was selected in the first place? Are there racist inclinations within the anthem itself? It's just a sorry way to go about protesting things in my opinion. Their are much better platforms and venues that are much more effective than this.

I still maintain people just want to attend the game enjoy it and watch people play ball and escape rather than get followed by all the crap that's going on outside the stadium without it having yet once again being pushed in everyone's faces that had nothing to do with what's going on by a vocal minority group.

People just want to enjoy a good football game for the time, whoop and holler, eat hot dogs and drink some beer. End of story.

let me guess, you're a white man that's never had to put up with prejudice???

 

[leibowde84]

They can protest. But if the fans stop spending money, the NFL will dry up.

Of course. That's the free-market for you. What's your point? Do you really think that is going to happen? If so, why?

 

[Lyndon]

I said it wasn't an issue as it applies to the majority of people living in the US.

I didn't say racism itself wasn't an issue anymore.

You mean the majority of people that are white???

 

[leibowde84]

If they were really upset because black folk are being killed by the hundreds in the streets. They would address the gang violence in Chicago where black on black murder rates are many times higher than white on black murder rate.

https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-09-29/race-and-homicide-in-america-by-the-numbers

These numbers are insanely high considering the population difference.

But hey facts suck nowadays right?

But, that doesn't mean that they aren't serious about racial prejudice and police brutality being the reasoning behind their current protest. As you probably know, you don't have to protest every issue in existence that means something to you simultaneously for any to have meaning. I mean, why would they even protest gang violence? It doesn't seem to make sense. You aren't protesting the actions of an organization, institution or governmental actor.

But, they are concerned with gang violence. They work with groups like the Boys & Girls Club that help to give kids safe environments to improve themselves after school to keep kids off the street.

The police, however, are government actors. They are protesting them because of the many seemingly unlawful killings by police officers around the country that were caught on tape. And, they are protesting the fact that these police officers always seem to receive deference from the courts and are rarely prosecuted. They have a legitimate reason to believe that some of these murders are race related, at least in some way. So, they are upset. They want people to know that they are aware of the problem and it must be talked about and drawn into the open so it stops. I never condone any violence or disruptive behavior. But, they are protesting the racial prejudice inherent in their own government that puts them at a disadvantage because of the color of their skin. They wholeheartedly believe in the cause, so there is honor in it.

What is the harm? It seems to be that the worst that happens is some people get upset. But, that is not even close to an adequate reason to limit free expression. The NFL is fine with it. We saw that yesterday. They stood in solidarity against Trump, not the flag, the anthem or the country, because of what Trump said about some of their own. He stuck his greasy beak where it doesn't belong, and he got burned for it. Now he's too proud to admit he lost.

 

[Enoch07]

Of course. That's the free-market for you. What's your point? Do you really think that is going to happen? If so, why?

Probably not. But If enough people did it would make an impact.

 

[Enoch07]

But, that doesn't mean that they aren't serious about racial prejudice and police brutality being the reasoning behind their current protest. As you probably know, you don't have to protest every issue in existence that means something to you simultaneously for any to have meaning. I mean, why would they even protest gang violence? It doesn't seem to make sense. You aren't protesting the actions of an organization, institution or governmental actor.

But, they are concerned with gang violence. They work with groups like the Boys & Girls Club that help to give kids safe environments to improve themselves after school to keep kids off the street.

The police, however, are government actors. They are protesting them because of the many seemingly unlawful killings by police officers around the country that were caught on tape. And, they are protesting the fact that these police officers always seem to receive deference from the courts and are rarely prosecuted. They have a legitimate reason to believe that some of these murders are race related, at least in some way. So, they are upset. They want people to know that they are aware of the problem and it must be talked about and drawn into the open so it stops. I never condone any violence or disruptive behavior. But, they are protesting the racial prejudice inherent in their own government that puts them at a disadvantage because of the color of their skin. They wholeheartedly believe in the cause, so there is honor in it.

What is the harm? It seems to be that the worst that happens is some people get upset. But, that is not even close to an adequate reason to limit free expression. The NFL is fine with it. We saw that yesterday. They stood in solidarity against Trump, not the flag, the anthem or the country, because of what Trump said about some of their own. He stuck his greasy beak where it doesn't belong, and he got burned for it. Now he's too proud to admit he lost.

Because its disingenuous an being used to manipulate people. Thats why. If BLM really was serious, black on black murder rates would be issue #1, racial prejudice can be secondary issue.

 

[Twilight Hue]

You mean the majority of people that are white???

No. The majority of people in general.

 

[Revoltingest]

If BLM really was serious, black on black murder rates would be issue #1.....

But then there'd be no convenient oppressor to blame.

 

[Nakosis]

Why do you think he believes that a majority of people agree with him on this issue?

Well first he got a lot of cheers in agreement at the time from his comments. I understand this not being a real majority but that's what he got exposed to.

Haven't otherwise seen any real number, so Trump can believe what he wants. Even if it does get reported he'll probably just call it fake news.

I'd suppose the only real meter will be at the next election. Maybe that's not even true. If he wins it's just mean he's was more popular than his opponent. If he loses, then maybe he'll question his support. Or just blame it on the Russians.

Sorry, I suppose the real answer is it's not so hard to believe whatever you want these days. I'm just taking it from his statement this is what he believes.

 

[Twilight Hue]

let me guess, you're a white man that's never had to put up with prejudice???

Painting us white people as being bad? All of us white folks today are causing all the problems for the black folks?

Yeah there's prejudice. Have a thing against white people?

 

[Nakosis]

There are undoubtfully racial problems and serious issues, but I doubt it's to the extent that people are putting it out as in terms of a nationwide epidemic.

It's not a systemic problem. Racism is illegal. All you need to do is prove it.

There's nothing illegal about being a racist. If however you act on it, them you have to deal with the legal consequences.

The laws are there, it up to people to make use of those laws.

Our legal system doesn't support racist behavior. Where you can prove racism you have the backing of our legal system.

I don't know what can be expected beyond that.

 

[Twilight Hue]

It's not a systemic problem. Racism is illegal. All you need to do is prove it.

There's nothing illegal about being a racist. If however you act on it, them you have to deal with the legal consequences.

The laws are there, it up to people to make use of those laws.

Our legal system doesn't support racist behavior. Where you can prove racism you have the backing of our legal system.

I don't know what can be expected beyond that.

I agree from a standpoint of legality.

 

[Jainarayan]

They are creating awareness that there is, in fact, an ongoing issue with racial prejudice in this country. This appears to be necessary, as there are still many in denial about racial prejudice in certain parts of the United States. Awareness is the first step. They have to get people talking about the issue. Now we will have to see what they do with this growing awareness. But, awareness comes first.

That is one of the most pathetically, abjectly and abysmally naive things I've ever seen. It's completely backfired on them in the worst way. Because the only thing they raised is people's ire.

 

[Nakosis]

That is one of the most pathetically, abjectly and abysmally naive things I've ever seen. It's completely backfired on them in the worst way. Because the only thing they raised is people's ire.

Some people's yes. There is a big moral divide. In morality, IMO, there are no absolute "right" answers. There's just feelings.

One side trying to influence the other side's feelings, it's not going to work because of the moral gap. Especially these kids who make more than a majority of folks are complaining about inequality?

Better that they take some of their resources which probably many do and tackle the problems themselves. Like go out and encourage black folks and the police to work together to better their neighborhoods.

Right now both sides just see the other side as attaching their moral values. Nobody is going to win that war.