I’m proud of America, and despite her flaws, this country remains blessed and prosperous. We can’t get 7 family members in one house to decide on what to eat for supper, yet we expect 323,000,000 strangers to agree?
I’m struggling to get my mind wrapped around this nfl protest situation. My head says they should all be fired for their unpatriotic disrespect, but my heart says to keep seeking answers so my head doesn’t rule or ruin the day.
What puzzles me is exactly what it is that they are protesting? I hear the MSM’s talking points about social injustice causes, but that’s remaining typically vague as to not have to provide specifics and leaving options open to shift the protest focus when convenient.
Do this year’s entertainers support the same causes from last year’s guy who sat and then kneeled? If so, then why didn’t they all kneel with him last year? Did it take them a year to understand why that guy knelt in the first place? Was it not personally important or just too financially risky back then for the rest of them? Is it because of group think that whatever last year’s guy protested, that this year’s late-comers discover to be the newest, most important social injustice cause?
Again, I’m asking questions because I want to know the truth and the facts. I don’t want to hear the rhetoric and emotional self-entitled lullabies that coddle some into anger and others into apathy. I’d like to remain informed, and not dismiss an honest effort at cultural change by unjustifiably supporting a boycott of the nfl.
I’m also working to not intermingle a private business into the national narrative on social change. It should not be given the individual authority to set national policy. It is no different than Chick-fil-A‘s corporate policy to close on Sunday. It’s not a national religious debate, but a private company’s decision not to sell delicious chicken.
The quandary over the nfl’s front-facing stance on freedom of expression is contrary to their long-standing position of total conformity enforced by fines, suspensions and terminations.
This is a 32-page rule book covering everything from headbands to shoelaces. This is just for their costumes. Conduct covering sideline behavior to end zone celebrations are even more detailed.
Truth is, there is little room in the NFL‘s policy for freedom of expression, and is often mocked as the No Fun League. Yet, when a game crashes headlong into reality, the league suddenly supports freedom of expression.
There was no freedom to honor the Dallas Police Department officers killed last year, and the Dallas Cowboys were fined for wearing an emblem on their helmets anyway. Teams were prohibited from wearing 9/11 commemorative patches after the terror attacks.
So is it the nfl’s company position for freedom of expression to disrespect the nation’s anthem and flag, but it’s against league policy to show respect for national service and loss?
So, although this may be a naive attempt to understand the facts, and only the facts, I don’t have the highest of expectations for gaining an accurate appreciation for what is actually going down without the haze of emotion and political hackery. But I am completely and honestly interested in learning more about it.
God Bless America! Do Good, Scott