I live in Charlotte, I view myself as right of center politically (but not in this Presidential race) but I have great empathy how African Americans have struggled with police forces around the country. That being said, I think that many times the black community rushes to protest before all of the facts are in. In this case both parties involved in the shooting were black and there was a gun found at the scene which the police repeatedly told the victim to drop. These three factors should have mitigated protest anger. There needs to be information behind a protest or else it's simply a mob. The looting and burning, that occurred on the first night, only serve to dilute the message the protest was trying to convey.
2
in football think of Roger Staubach, Joe Bellino or Pat Stallings.
In baseball think of Ted Williams who served twice as a fighter pilot. How many had their careers interrupted by World War II.
In basketball think about David Robinson.
Think about them and remember them and forget what is happening today.
In baseball think of Ted Williams who served twice as a fighter pilot. How many had their careers interrupted by World War II.
In basketball think about David Robinson.
Think about them and remember them and forget what is happening today.
We should let them go to Canada and provide special transportation to be sure they are really going!
Want to experience free speech? See what happens IF viewership, ticket sales and sports gear sales start dropping. Free Speech vs. Free Market. If this protest gimmick works for sports expect to see more of it. Right down to High School level.
“I would be really, really angry if Cam Newton didn’t stand during the national anthem,” Amel Salihovic, a construction manager who is from Bosnia and lives in Charlotte, said before Sunday’s game.
Oh the limitless American irony! The recent Eastern European immigrant gets to preach to another American, whose heritage in this countries goes for centuries, about patriotism. But he is correct. He, and his ilk, are considered more American that Cam Newton's as soon as they enter this country. Doesn't matter how poorly they may speak English, how educated they may be or how much they earn. Why? They have the correct skin hue.
Oh the limitless American irony! The recent Eastern European immigrant gets to preach to another American, whose heritage in this countries goes for centuries, about patriotism. But he is correct. He, and his ilk, are considered more American that Cam Newton's as soon as they enter this country. Doesn't matter how poorly they may speak English, how educated they may be or how much they earn. Why? They have the correct skin hue.
10
Funny how people protesting the police shooting a citizen are such a threat that they need riot patrol out. Maybe the police need to think about how they escalate situations like this and maybe the photo shows how tone deaf they are to community concerns.
Many of us don't have time for any of this foolishness. Who cares?
Another day in America, get used to it or leave.
But please, the silly protests are getting old, and I believe, actually getting law enforcement even more fired up. Leave it alone.
Another day in America, get used to it or leave.
But please, the silly protests are getting old, and I believe, actually getting law enforcement even more fired up. Leave it alone.
"Jennifer Hibner, a librarian who was headed into the stadium, said she’s “all about freedom of speech” but said that players who don’t respect the anthem “can go and play football in Canada.” If Ms. Hibner can make a statement like this, it's obvious she doesn't know what freedom of speech (which includes the right to protest) is about. I'm surprised that such a person would even be working in a library. People who think like her usually avoid libraries like the plague.
5
You call Cam Newton "wishy washy" because you do not like his position. He, too, has his rights and they do not need to include making you happy. Opinions are expressed by both action and inaction. Cam Newton owes you nothing, so do not castigate him.
I am no less free to express myself than these players. So I caught a few fish today. It was fun, I think I will do without the NFL next weekend too.
Football is a sickeningly violent and dangerous game. Goes perfectly with a lurid, perhaps even obscene display of deadly police armament. This is what we have become. How sad.
1
Mens professional sports teams numbers say it all:
Four Leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL)
122 Teams
One Black Principal Owner
Black lives need to matter much more!
Four Leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL)
122 Teams
One Black Principal Owner
Black lives need to matter much more!
1
Why not play "America the Beautiful" rather than "The Star Spangeled Banner" before sporting events? The militaristic mind set is over bearing for a country that is 1 - 4 in post WW II conflicts. The excessive flag waving & faux patriotism is nauseating, and has no place in any sporting event.
5
how much freedom of speech is there in America when even its top athletes are muzzled by the corporations they work for?
The NFL season must be cancelled out of respect for the hundreds of thousands of victims of extrajudicial executions by police.
2
This is just the beginning . For years now I have been concerned with the idea of the militarization of the stadium experience. These venues are a vulnerable and easy target in the free world full of such targets. It would take just one incident to cripple the money machine that is todays NFL . Forget about head injuries and domestic violence and the short careers of players. Just insuring a day at a game will take multiple layers of security and is changing forever the simple idea of going to a game . And you can thank George Bush . Both of of them.
7
Wait... aren't we supposed to thank Obama for everything??!! What a refreshing thought that someone else -- and a Bush! -- is to blame for today's ills.
Jennifer Hibner, a librarian who was headed into the stadium, said she’s “all about freedom of speech” but said that players who don’t respect the anthem “can go and play football in Canada.”
Sorry, Ms. Hibner, but you are definitely NOT all about freedom of speech.
Sorry, Ms. Hibner, but you are definitely NOT all about freedom of speech.
24
Cam Newton said "it would be “a lose-lose” situation for him if he publicly took a side."
Instead of the simple choice of right vs. wrong, Mr. Newton apparently sided with his multi-million dollar paycheck.
Instead of the simple choice of right vs. wrong, Mr. Newton apparently sided with his multi-million dollar paycheck.
6
"Some players just didn’t feel comfortable speaking out, for various reasons, Boston said, and needed to be coaxed."
The players or owners don't need to be coaxed while they rake billions off of fans from seats, jersey, hat, video game and sneaker sales. Not one one factory for any of these items exists in the USA. How about more fans of these sports franchises start feeling uncomfortable and stop opening their wallets. The lack of leadership many of these owners and players are displaying on these issues should not be rewarded with our hard earned dollars. Why should we buy your $200 sneakers or $400 seats when you need to be coaxed to take a stand for those of us who suffer in this "free" country? For those who have stood up for our injustices, they should continue to receive all of our support.
The injustice we face in our communities is not only about the police killing us but also about those who live within our community doing so as well. Hesitant steps to stand up for what is right is why everything is so wrong right now.
The players or owners don't need to be coaxed while they rake billions off of fans from seats, jersey, hat, video game and sneaker sales. Not one one factory for any of these items exists in the USA. How about more fans of these sports franchises start feeling uncomfortable and stop opening their wallets. The lack of leadership many of these owners and players are displaying on these issues should not be rewarded with our hard earned dollars. Why should we buy your $200 sneakers or $400 seats when you need to be coaxed to take a stand for those of us who suffer in this "free" country? For those who have stood up for our injustices, they should continue to receive all of our support.
The injustice we face in our communities is not only about the police killing us but also about those who live within our community doing so as well. Hesitant steps to stand up for what is right is why everything is so wrong right now.
9
It's interesting that the author was allowed to take such an obviously partisan stance in this article. The Times is very clearly choosing sides in their coverage. No surprise, but if they maintain this attitude they will have no honorable alternative other than to publicly acknowledge their repudiation of objectivity. If I wanted that kind of reporting, I'd be reading or watching Fox, Huffington Post, Breitbart, MSNBC, etc, etc, etc.
4
No, sir. Objectivity and amorality are different. A journalist, and indeed a newspaper, can come down on the side of an obvious moral standing without succumbing to partisanship and a lack of objectivity. We are talking about America's new slavering fascism about the anthem -- which is a SONG and nothing more -- and removing the freedom of speech from football players. That's a sentence I cannot believe I even have to type. Newspapers condemning Mr. Trump's demagoguery are are equally not to be accused of partisanship -- that's just common sense. I would not have accused a 1940s newspaper of being partisan because it refused to give the Nazi Party equal treatment in their paper. I see absolutely no difference between that time of hysteria in the name of patriotism, and this one.
1
"Sports of the Times" is a column, written by a columnist, not simply a summary of the news. As George Vecsey did before her, Juliet Macur inserts her own opinion and point of view into her writing. George Vecsey's "not going to call it retirement" column provides some interesting insight into the Times' view of what the column should be, as well as some examples of Vecsey's favorite columns: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/17/sports/with-one-more-from-the-heart-a-...
What a shame.
2
It gets all too confusing.
One of our true religions in US culture is NFL football. It's all football in fact, from Friday Night Lights to smiles and joy of Pop Warner.
The game itself is a surrogate for battle and victor and the vanquished.
Our greatest hometown heroes and villains are black and white men, big and small, fast and powerful, no matter we love them.
We demand they are paid what ever it takes to win, to bring our Club Glory!
In our stadium our men are are beyond equals, in uniform they are living gods. We are willing to pay almost anything to see them, worship them, wear their numbers.
When they leave that battlefield after a contest for some Americans they no longer represent " the ALL OF US".
I see the wonder of worship looking at a quarterback, and The unmitigated racism looking at father waiting for his daughter at school.
The only thing they have in in common is they are black men.
I listen to my heart ask.... " How long will these men be used"? And " how long will society let them".
One of our true religions in US culture is NFL football. It's all football in fact, from Friday Night Lights to smiles and joy of Pop Warner.
The game itself is a surrogate for battle and victor and the vanquished.
Our greatest hometown heroes and villains are black and white men, big and small, fast and powerful, no matter we love them.
We demand they are paid what ever it takes to win, to bring our Club Glory!
In our stadium our men are are beyond equals, in uniform they are living gods. We are willing to pay almost anything to see them, worship them, wear their numbers.
When they leave that battlefield after a contest for some Americans they no longer represent " the ALL OF US".
I see the wonder of worship looking at a quarterback, and The unmitigated racism looking at father waiting for his daughter at school.
The only thing they have in in common is they are black men.
I listen to my heart ask.... " How long will these men be used"? And " how long will society let them".
5
I am confused too.
If standing for the pledge is the "standard form of respect" , what would I do to show more respect. I suggest Kneeling is a higher gesture of respect than standing with hand over heart. Why does everyone think kneeling is a protest?
If standing for the pledge is the "standard form of respect" , what would I do to show more respect. I suggest Kneeling is a higher gesture of respect than standing with hand over heart. Why does everyone think kneeling is a protest?
Players can protest all they want on their own time. But not as employees of the team they play for. They forgot they work for someone. If any of us did what they are doing, our employer is perfectly within his or her's right to fire us. I suspect that the forty niners will get rid of that ignoramus Kaepernick.
6
Did the thought ever occur to you that more than 68 percent of the players in the NFL are African-American?
Since the players are protesting while working as players it is obvious that you don't set the rules for what they can do as employees. Also, I suspect that the owners are concerned about winning and are not going to fire anyone if that would reduce the teams chances of success.
1
You must kidding Alan. If you protested a killing you felt was unjustified your company would fire you? I thought you worked in USA (Tampa Florida) and not Putin's Russia or Assad's Syria. As for calling Kaepernick and ignoramus can I assume all those who don't agree with you fall into the same category?
Jennifer Hibner is all about free speech... except when an American actually attempts to speak freely! Shame on her. Maybe SHE and all those who think like her should be the ones to leave the country, which is the answer they're all too quick to give when an American protests. But not Canada - I wouldn't inflict those small-minded vicious fellow Americans of mine on poor Canada. NYT, I wish you'd stop portraying this disgustingness as a comment worth quoting in an article. That woman should be ashamed, not made famous.
9
"Shame on her."
Pot, meet kettle! Your condemnation for voicing her own opinion would seem hypocritical.
Pot, meet kettle! Your condemnation for voicing her own opinion would seem hypocritical.
1
You seem confused. Of course Mrs. is legally entitled to her opinion but no one is obligated to respect it. Indeed, criticizing her opinion is merely how free speech works, not as you apparently believe in which one person says something and others must simply accept it without comment. Also, your last sentence expresses a conditional. What would Joanna Bell have to write before you could definitely write that the comment is hypocritical?
I would prefer not to have my children attend a game in such a fraught setting. Rightly or wrongly, I prefer to be protective. I want my children to grow up slowly. The photograph alone even frightens me.
9
I think you need to be placed in a 'safe zone'.
4
Michael:
You like this? This is a safe zone. Why go to this as entertainment?
You like this? This is a safe zone. Why go to this as entertainment?