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Boycott Nike?

I would, but I've never bought Nike anyway, so that's meaningless.
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Colin Kaepernik has taken a stand—by kneeling—against the racism that still exists in our country. My father and my uncles—all veterans —support his beliefs and understand why. And Nike obviously respects him. Those who would destroy or boycott their products because their spokesman is against racism must therefore [b]support[/b] racism, like our current president does. The president, btw, who used his connections to [b]avoid[/b] serving, who [b]mocked[/b] and disrespected the late John McCain as a POW. My family fought, some even in [b]segregated[/b] troops during Jim Crow in the hope that our country would become more inclusive. They fought abroad for rights [b]they[/b] didn’t have at home. I think they would be proud of Kaepernik’s efforts. I certainly am.
room101 · 51-55, M
@bijouxbroussard Very, very well said 👏👏👏
xinbaba · 61-69, M
@bijouxbroussard so is [b]Mocking[/b] and [b]Disrespecting[/b] the Flag (which stands for all of us) is OK? I'm ok with their cause, and I believe they are right to fight against racism and any other form of repression. However, I am saddened that we cannot agree, as a country, to respect [b]SOMETHING[/b] that brings us all together. It's a sad state of affairs. I don't think there are any "Americans" in the classic sense of the word left. Now there is just a jumble of blacks, whites, Asian, Latinos, Muslims, Christians, atheists, Republicans, Democrats, libertarians, left, right, etc. etc. etc. The words "My fellow Americans" will never be uttered again.
@xinbaba But I don’t see how the act of [b]kneeling[/b] mocks [b]or[/b] disrespects the flag. It was a compromise for simply not standing, and yet that’s not enough for those who want to dictate what is “patriotic”. One kneels in church or in prayer, it’s the humblest posture one can take. It’s not like loudly disrupting the anthem or burning the flag, for goodness sakes !

If the flag doesn’t stand for our Constitution, including our 1st Amendment, if the veterans weren’t fighting to uphold those rights, what was the point ?
luckranger71 · 51-55, M
@bijouxbroussard “they fought for your right to exercise free speech the way I want you to”
xinbaba · 61-69, M
@luckranger71 Kinda like tolerance and respect for other's viewpoints only go one way.
luckranger71 · 51-55, M
@xinbaba Not sure where you got that from. CK kneeling during the anthem has nothing to do with disrespecting the flag and veterans. It’s great if you and the Prez believe that to be the case. I respect your opinion. I just disagree.
xinbaba · 61-69, M
@luckranger71 Thank you.
@xinbaba Some opinions can be factually incorrect. It’s possible to kneel to protest racism while still respecting the veterans who fought so that citizens [b]can[/b] protest.
@xinbaba I think knowing the historical record helps. Americans have been protesting by abstaining from civic displays of patriotism for at least 150+ years.

The first reference I can find is during reconstruction as a protest against racial violence. During WW1 as a protest against conscription. In support of socialism when socialism was actually a thing in America. Then in WW2 to protest rabid nationalism. If you don't think there as rabid nationalism then, ask the Japanese-Americans put in pens, or my father's people who were sanctioned for speaking their immigrant language.

And not just for political or social things. Some people refuse to stand for the National Anthem or say the pledge of allegiance as they make no oaths except to God. The Jehovah Witnesses took this to the SCOTUS and won. And there are other groups too.

And then later in the 60's and 70's people refused to stand for the national anthem to protest the Vietnam War. Or for civil rights. And sometimes this was not just not standing during the national anthem, but perhaps refused the Pledge of Allegiance. Or wearing black arm bands onto the field. Probably the most famous example was '68 Mexico City.

All through the 2000's people have been doing the same thing. Not standing to protest the war in Iraq. Jehovah Witnesses refusing to stand because of their faith. People refusing to stand to protest racism, anti-Islamic rhetoric, poverty.

Kaepernick is nothing new.
@CopperCicada Yeah, but he’s black protesting racism during the resurgence of the racist right. And he’s a wealthy black man which galls them even further, taking this stand and risking his livelihood for [b]others[/b].
basilfawlty89 · 31-35, M
@xinbaba if you're worried about mocking the flag, go talk to conservatives who use it as beach towels and underwear, literally by rules counting as disrespectful.
basilfawlty89 · 31-35, M
@CopperCicada Hye es, if I recall, che?
@basilfawlty89 that's sort of one of my pet peeves. using the flag as a scarf over the head, or as a tube top.
xinbaba · 61-69, M
@basilfawlty89
Here we see a racist wearing a flag
room101 · 51-55, M
@xinbaba Estelle, a British singer whose breakthrough single featured Kanye West. He supports trump, right? So, by association, she must be a racist. Right???

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic5vxw3eijY]
xinbaba · 61-69, M
must be
basilfawlty89 · 31-35, M
@xinbaba Oh, you agree the American flag is racist? I agree. Gonna burn one, be back in a few. Don't cry over your magic skycloth now.
@xinbaba How is she a "racist" ?
basilfawlty89 · 31-35, M
@bijouxbroussard white self victimization