Nike's Take A Knee Campaign

"Don't ask if your dreams are crazy. Ask if they are crazy enough." ~ #Nike #CHASEDREAMS


Recently, people have been highly critical of Nike and their "Take A Knee" campaign. Seriously, what is the big deal This is a good thing. No matter how it started.

Now before anyone starts, because I posted this, the message in this video advertisement from Nike is an amazing message. The athletes shown are phenomenal in their field. This is truly inspirational. As far as Colin Kaepernick...well I have shared my views on him in the past.

I see the #TakeAKnee movement as a good one. We have to change things in this country. People of color ARE discriminated against. Not all the time and maybe not as much as they used to be, but it still happens. It is still far too often and is a growing sentiment in the darker shadows and closed doors of this country. Which, racism behind closed doors, is very concerning at beast. It is better when hate is brought into the light, so it can be sought out and removed like the cancer of society it is.

Have you been in the South lately? It is like stepping back into an extremely racist time.The term, "across the railroad tracks," still literally applies in the South. Many times it is the drawing line between the wealthy white community and the impoverished people of color and white communities. It is appalling. I can't believe human beings still act that way or are treated others in this manner in 2018.

In my own life, I have been with my friends of color on a night out. I saw how we were not allowed into establishments where I had just been the night before. The night before I was with my white or white passing friends. But this night I was with my obvious friends of color. One night, the white men at the door even destroyed my friends of color driver's licenses, just to be a racist jerk. I have been out in a group dating situation and saw my white girlfriend and black husband get nasty looks, simply because they were a "mixed couple." People need to change. Laws need to change. When laws change, perceptions change with time, because it is the norm. Then society changes. It is never overnight, but it happens.

So, I support why the players are taking a knee. Prejudice has to stop. It must be protested and ended.
Having said that, Colin Kaepernick seemed to use this campaign to leverage his mediocre football career in the beginning. I disagree with his obvious original intentions. Or maybe, his original feeling of thinking this was the reason he was not being played. Kaepernick was just not a good enough player. You cannot use the race card in a sport where that notion ended years ago.

Too many athletes of color are front and center and paid the highest salaries. Kaepernick was going to be cut or traded down, and was not even signed at the time he started sitting on the bench during his initial "take an knee" protest. He was just sulking on the bench, because he was not going to be signed. So, he used the race card to try to get promoted and played. It almost worked for him, until the team just decided his mediocre playing was not worth losing more money than he was worth by losing games, if he was played. Just the truth.

Now you may bring up Tim Tebow. When he took a knee, it was to pray before, after or during games. It was a show of his beliefs that supported him mentally and spiritually during tough games. Players in the sports world had been doing the same thing for years. Plus, Tebow was a great player and helped to win games for his teams. Yet, he was still traded. He paid for taking a knee in prayer and holding to his Christian values, his convictions, beliefs, even though he was a great player. He helped the Florida Gators win two BCS Championships and won the Heisman Trophy in 2007. Yet, "despite leading the NFL's Denver Broncos to the playoffs in 2011, the popular quarterback was traded to the New York Jets after the season." ~ Biography.com. *

Kaepernick began to take a knee at the urging of white NFL player and ex-Green Beret, Nate Boyer. Nate said rather than sit on the bench during the National Anthem, which is definitely seen as a huge sign of disrespect, Kaepernick should take a knee to show respect for human right leaders. Similar to what soldiers do for their fallen comrades as a sign of respect to said soldiers who fought and died for this country. So, this whole idea was not even Kaepernick's own idea. It was a white male veteran's idea. Which really makes it all the more powerful when you think about it. A teammate, who is a white male, encouraged his friend and teammate to use this moment in time to help others being discriminated against for the color of their skin, sexual orientation, etc. If that does not show change in the hearts and minds of this country, I do no know what does. We have a long way to go for real change, but it is encouraging to know.

After this movement went national, Kaepernick tried to negotiate to be signed and get more money. Well, can't blame him for trying. It is his only chance to pressure the NFL into paying him the big bucks. It does shine a light on his character, with which I cannot say is impressive. Typical, maybe. It was all about the money for him.. A lot of money. Also, fame. Well, he got fame and now he is getting the endorsements and attention he always wanted, which brings a lot of money, even though he is a mediocre athlete. Really hope this does not become a trend for other athletes.

But, now Kaepernick is being made a leader of an equal rights movement. Not sure, if this is where he saw all this going. That is fine. It is a movement that started long ago. Even before he took a knee or even before Martin Luther King, Jr. This movement started the moment any person was ever oppressed in history and stood up for their human rights. To be treated decently as living, breathing human beings. It is a timeless struggle, unfortunately. And that is a movement I have always supported. And always will. No matter how it is started, the end result is of great importance. Equality for all.#EQUALITY #HUMANRIGHTS #ENDPREJUDICE


*https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/tim-tebow-kneel-anthem/

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