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"Real patriotism, Mr. Trump, isn't how you treat a flag. It's how you treat Americans" (Kendzior)
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/real-patriotism-mr-trump-isnt-how-you-treat-a-flag-its-how-you-treat-americans/article36375796/America has wrestled with hypocrisy ever since it was birthed by slave-owning founders who wrote searing declarations of freedom. But never has the gulf between the hallowed position of the presidency and the hollowness of the person who inhabits it been as wide as it is today. And never has Mr. Trump faced a foe like Mr. Kaepernick, whose silent protests hit harder than any of the President's tirades because they force Americans to contend not only with complicity, but complacency. If Mr. Kaepernick can live his values, destroying his popularity and football career in the process, why can't we all? If we have freedom of speech, who will we speak up for?
Mr. Kaepernick kneels for the slain and for the suffering, and places that burden on the conscience of Americans in an era where the very notion of a conscience is spun as an alternative fact. While Mr. Trump brags of his wealth while stiffing charities and swindling the poor, Mr. Kaepernick has spent a year giving away one million dollars to help oppressed communities. While the President's life has been spent desperately accumulating status markers and elite approval, Mr. Kaepernick is, at age 29, seemingly unemployable due to his controversial political views.
And what are those controversial views? That black men should not be shot on sight by white officers that get away with it. That black citizens should have the same rights, respect and access to resources as white citizens. That the U.S. flag is not worth saluting until there is liberty and justice for all.
That these views are considered controversial is a damning indictment of the inability of Americans to be reflective instead of defensive about our systemic failings. Traditionally, when an athlete takes a knee, he does so in acknowledgment of a wounded player. Colin Kaepernick takes the knee during the national anthem in acknowledgment of wounded citizens. He demands, rightly, that Americans do better.
-snip-
When Mr. Kaepernick takes a knee, when Mr. Curry refuses to visit the White House, I greet these actions with gratitude. When their fellow athletes – like Richard Sherman, Kobi Bryant, and LeBron James – back them, risking similar condemnation, I feel relief that they too refuse to tolerate abuse of citizens by the state. The real measure of patriotism is not how you treat a flag but how you treat your countrymen.
Where a conscience should reside in our capital is instead a well of hate and bigotry. We will not find moral leadership in this White House, but we can find it among Americans – ordinary citizens and celebrities alike – who reject pageantry in favour of principle.
Mr. Kaepernick kneels for the slain and for the suffering, and places that burden on the conscience of Americans in an era where the very notion of a conscience is spun as an alternative fact. While Mr. Trump brags of his wealth while stiffing charities and swindling the poor, Mr. Kaepernick has spent a year giving away one million dollars to help oppressed communities. While the President's life has been spent desperately accumulating status markers and elite approval, Mr. Kaepernick is, at age 29, seemingly unemployable due to his controversial political views.
And what are those controversial views? That black men should not be shot on sight by white officers that get away with it. That black citizens should have the same rights, respect and access to resources as white citizens. That the U.S. flag is not worth saluting until there is liberty and justice for all.
That these views are considered controversial is a damning indictment of the inability of Americans to be reflective instead of defensive about our systemic failings. Traditionally, when an athlete takes a knee, he does so in acknowledgment of a wounded player. Colin Kaepernick takes the knee during the national anthem in acknowledgment of wounded citizens. He demands, rightly, that Americans do better.
-snip-
When Mr. Kaepernick takes a knee, when Mr. Curry refuses to visit the White House, I greet these actions with gratitude. When their fellow athletes – like Richard Sherman, Kobi Bryant, and LeBron James – back them, risking similar condemnation, I feel relief that they too refuse to tolerate abuse of citizens by the state. The real measure of patriotism is not how you treat a flag but how you treat your countrymen.
Where a conscience should reside in our capital is instead a well of hate and bigotry. We will not find moral leadership in this White House, but we can find it among Americans – ordinary citizens and celebrities alike – who reject pageantry in favour of principle.
