Why are people who disagree with kneeling during the Anthem labelled racist?

[ThunderCat98]

I think the players should be allowed to do whatever they want during the Anthem. That being said, I don't have to like it or agree with their form of protest either. Along those same lines, if I choose not to watch a bunch of millionaires play a game as a means of expressing my displeasure or disagreement with their actions, how/ why does that make me racist?

 

[ThunderCat98]

And to be clear, I think the POTUS should be a lot more concerned with about a hundred other things (like the utter devastation of Puerto Rico, healthcare, our stupid-a$$ tax code, North Korea, Russia, etc.) than what football players are choosing to do during the National Anthem.

 

[extragreen]

I think the players should be allowed to do whatever they want during the Anthem. That being said, I don't have to like it or agree with their form of protest either. Along those same lines, if I choose not to watch a bunch of millionaires play a game as a means of expressing my displeasure or disagreement with their actions, how/ why does that make me racist?

It doesn't.

 

[sistersville]

End the nfl. Take away their money.

 

[ThunderCat98]

It doesn't.

I agree, but a vocal minority can't seem to separate conservative viewpoints from (1) Trump, and/or (2) racist beliefs.

 

[extragreen]

I agree, but a vocal minority can't seem to separate conservative viewpoints from (1) Trump, and/or (2) racist beliefs.

As soon as someone calls them thugs or ghetto dwellers, some of us know precisely what they're saying. And anytime someone whines about millionaires that should shut up and just play the game, we know they're talking about the black millionaires, not the white ones.

 

[ThunderCat98]

As soon as someone calls them thugs or ghetto dwellers, some of us know precisely what they're saying.

I don't disagree with this.

And anytime someone whines about millionaires that should shut up and just play the game, we know they're talking about the black millionaires, not the white ones.

I do, however, disagree with this one. I don't care if you're black, white, asian, hispanic, etc. If you are an athlete or entertainer, I don't give a sh*t about your political views. People pay money to be entertained by sports, movies, concerts. For the most part (unless it is a movie that is inherently political in nature, which you would know going in) these things are a means to escape and forget about the bullsh*t going on around us and the stressors in life. Bringing politics - one of the most divisive issues in the world (the same could be argued for religion, fwiw) - into it completely changes that dynamic for me.

 

[extragreen]

If you can't be entertained watching football after someone knelt instead of standing for that anthem, it's by your own decision. It doesn't bother me to know eastwood is a conservative when I watch fist full of dollars or dirty Harry.

 

[GK4Herd]

If you can't be entertained watching football after someone knelt instead of standing for that anthem, it's by your own decision. It doesn't bother me to know eastwood is a conservative when I watch fist full of dollars or dirty Harry.

When I was in the midst of my conservative days I used to say the same thing about Clooney. I knew he was a liberal and didn't agree with his point of view, but his movies were great. Same with Spacey, Tommy Lee Jones, Matt Damon, John Goodman, Tom Hanks, etc. These guys have some great movies. But at some point you have to say...ok...they have a different political perspective then me. But damn...Good Wiill Hunting is a great movie. Or...House of Cards is one of the best series ever.

I think people forget sometimes that what distinguishes the U.S. from the rest of the world isn't the fact that we march lockstep on every issue. It's the fact that we don't and can still live in the same space. And I can't imagine a liberal not liking Dirty Harry or A Fist Full of Dollars either like EG points out. It would be the same as not liking Bedtime for Bonzo because Ronald Reagan was in it. OK...maybe that was a bad example.

 

[i am herdman]

The Race Card is the #1A play of liberals is why. Play #1B is class warfare.

Other than that they don't have much.

When in doubt, play the race card.

 

[Sean Hammond]

I think the players should be allowed to do whatever they want during the Anthem. That being said, I don't have to like it or agree with their form of protest either. Along those same lines, if I choose not to watch a bunch of millionaires play a game as a means of expressing my displeasure or disagreement with their actions, how/ why does that make me racist?

It doesn't. I don't get why people so easily allow others to label them. Nobody knows you, so if someone says you're a racist, laugh it off.

If I say someone is purple, and the person obviously isn't purple, it's just a stupid accusation.