Coach Williams,
I’m not a sport person. I don’t claim to know the first thing about NCAA basketball, NFL football and my wife who coaches our daughter in softball, has to explain baseball rules whenever we watch. I’m a Trekkie. Want to know what a warp core breech is or how many times the Enterprise has been destroyed? I’m your man! But, I’m also a Blerd (Black Nerd) and as a black man and father of biracial children in America, I keep informed on social justice issues. And one thing recently has made me care about the sport you call Football. Which isn’t soccer and plays like rugby, but I digress.
Recently, there has been a lot in the news about Colin Kaepernick’s silent protest against the oppression faced by black Americans and other people of color in the United States. “There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder,” he said, referring to high-profile incidents in which police officers have not been prosecuted for inappropriate uses of deadly force. He’s been mocked, ridiculed and called everything but a child of God by a wide range of people. They’ve burned his jersey in effigy (chilling when you think of the history of Lynching in this country.) Sportscasters weighing in that he should just shut up and play. His only value to them is entertainment, Black bodies have always been commodified and consumed in America, we are not allowed to have nor express an opinion. Wealth and Celebrity change nothing. Look no further than the Birther movement against our POTUS for proof. But something quite unexpected is happening.
Not only have his other teammates joined him in protest, players thought the NFL have as well. His boss, the 49ers owner, instead of sanctioning him, joined him in matching the one million dollar gift he’s making to programs encouraging dialogue between Bay Area police and the communities they serve and other charites. His jersey is selling out everywhere. And not to burn them.
Sunday Night Football coinciding with the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks was televised worldwide. His protest was the elephant in the room that could no longer be ignored. He’s inspiring families and kids wearing his jersey and following his example. Also, people are questioning, some for the first time, what are the lyrics and history of our national anthem? Who was Francis Scott Key and what were his views on slavery? Did you know there are lyrics that glorify slavery? Why is this song so important if it celebrates this? Why are there so many victims of police brutality? What can I do to help?
“It’s not a moment, it’s a movement.”
He’s the Katniss Everdeen of the NFL. (Warned you, Blerd)
His critics, however, aren’t laughing anymore.
Now comes the backlash. The fragility of some white people and their black friend never ceases to amaze. Forcing shallow ideas about patriotism down the throats of other people’s children is not a good look for any educational institution, particularly in Virginia, Capital of the Confederate States of America, nor Virginia Tech which was segregated until 1953.
There are counter protests by black apologists like Cam (we sick boss?) Newton and whatever all those brothers on the Seahawks were doing Sunday Night. A Chorus Line number? Good on them! Open debate in the public square is something humans have done since ancient Ur, Timbuktu, Athens, Egypt. Healthy exchanges of ideas are what help minds grow & form new opinions. Questioning the status quo moves great societies forward and students challenging why things are the way they are should be encouraged.
That’s why I find what you did in November, which I learned about only yesterday, pushing your views on your players and forcing them to salute, so sinister. You’re in Virginia, not North Korea.
I’ve got no beef bringing Veterans to share wisdom with the young brothers, there’s a lot they can learn from each other, but you’ve only done so with an ego driven, ulterior motive.
To shame them into compliance to standing at attention, as if they are soldiers during the National Anthem so in your words “you don’t embarrass me.”
This is shockingly inappropriate and dangerous for a free society to condone. I thought to myself. “What a sad, petty use of these great men & women you claim to respect. What a squandered opportunity for growth and intergenerational learning.” What is the the lesson you wished to convey using these veterans as a shield for your contempt for players rights? You can’t shame students into compliance with your ideas of what patriotism is. That’s not freedom, that’s fascist. It’s certainly not your role. There are racially and culturally diverse Veterans that agree with Kapernicks protest. Are they not as patriotic? Anne Frank said “People can tell you to keep your mouth shut, but that doesn’t stop you from having your own opinion.” She was right, history is full of people that loved flags, symbols and slogans more than citizens.
Consider this Coach. Many of these players are the descendants of enslaved Africans. They already know what time it is Jack. How ironic that by lecturing them about how grateful they should be for the chairs they sit in, you only make Colin Kaepernick’s point about America’s shameful past and continued inequality. It’s not your job to force them to accept your idea of patriotism.
But man to man I’ll give you a short civics lesson:
Here is the oaths of enlistment & oath of office those Veterans took.
Nowhere did it say any civilian is compelled to stand at attention, memorize the pledge of allegiance, or The Star Spangled Banner, but what it does clearly say is “support and defend the Constitution”. The First Amendment is what the veterans you assembled swore to protect. Not chairs…
What is it with you conservatives and chairs anyway?
Those who want to put this fire out its too late. Victor Hugo said “there is no army more powerful than an idea who’s time has come.” Perhaps “America the Beautiful” which is well respected, melodic, (Ray Charles sings the hell out of that song) non-miltaristic, inclusive and has none of the racist baggage of The Star Spangled Banner should be our new Anthem? Times change.
Here’s is my suggestion, save your condescending, ‘Scared Straight’ tactics and simply talk with your players. Ask them non-confrontationally what they think of Colin Kaepernick’s protest? What kinds of interactions have they personally had with police? Do you know? Why not? If a small group of ten year olds can find the courage to protest in front of thier entire school, surely you can stand in solidarity with those players who may eventually choose to protest as well. Maybe surprise a few of your colleuges and join them. Talk to them like young men, not children. They respect you. Be worthy of that respect.
I was an educator for 20 years and a father for 9. You’d be amazed the things you can learn if you shut your mouth, open you mind and your heart.
Coach. I don’t know you. I assume you’re a stand up guy. You have a unique opportunity as a white man and authority figure to reach out to the young black athletes in your charge, Don’t fear to exchange ideas and opinions, is this Virgina Tech a university or not? Take this time to work on cohesion between all your players, black, white & brown. It’s not too late. Be man enough to leave your ego at the door. Set a good example.
Or, continue to lecture them, stifle dissent, use their talents on the court to enrich yourself, rob them of their rights as American citizens and become another cog in the machine to exploit and oppress them. Is “just shut up and play” who you really are? I assume it’s a coaches responsibility for your team to play better basketball? But isn’t it your duty as a mentor to help these players become better men? How can you accomplish this is if you have no clue what their daily struggles may be or where these Young Bloods are coming from?
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”
I’m going back to not caring about sports.
Live Long and Prosper,
Alex Yarde
I was enjoying the article up to the point where your racism began to show: “The fragility of some white people…”
Alex it’s not forced Patriotism it’s forced respect which these Professional Children that have been coddled in schools for their athleticism their entire lives do not and will never understand.
Alex, you need at least three more credits in U.S. History – mainly to learn about the British bombardment of Baltimore in the War of 1812, the scenario of inspiration for Key to write those words to the anthem in the first place and to discover that, along with him down in the hold of a British ship, were other prisoners of war: black U.S. sailors. So the whole Whitey context in which you comment is nonsense from the start. And 48 years later, when Frederick Douglass said if you put a blue uniform on a Negro and make him… Read more »
The coach in question held sessions to educate his players on the meaning behind the words in the national anthem. There was no mention in any article I’ve read about repercussions for not agreeing with his viewpoint or protesting in spite of understanding the anthem and what it represents. The coach seems to only have a problem with indifference. There are many instances in life when others try to influence your views, usually with the best of intentions. It is common for college professors to advocate certain political viewpoints. It only becomes a problem when students are punished for disagreeing.… Read more »
LproE- First, thanks for reading. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. I don’t care what that coaches intentions were. Those players rights are more important. As I’ve stated in my letter. Irregardless of Mr. Kapernicks protest. As a father, a former educator and an American Citizen, I found the entire circus insulting and outrageous. Did you actually watch his “ceremony”? Please do. Right now and tell me if you agree with his methods. In my view It’s prepostourous. And, violates the oaths those vets swore to uphold. He used veterans as props to browbeat his players into… Read more »
Very well said
At the risk of putting too fine a point on the argument. I had to share what this two tour Iraq Veteran had to say. It’s instructive and frankly kind of awesome piece of writing- Here’s the link for any interested- http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/09/13/iraq-war-commander-blasts-trump-gives-best-defense-kaepernick-yet/ And here’s his take, because my post my rules. – “These young men who kneel, or raise their fists during the anthem, I empathize with and honestly respect. I fought for that right, I fought for my right to say I hold my own country in contempt for many things, and I’m a historian, so there are many… Read more »
Don’t solute, don’t stand, stomp on the flag … do whatever you wish to do. But don’t expect most people to accept much less applaud you for what you do or don’t do. Strong arming or trying to guilt people into buying into your cause hasn’t and will not work.
You make my point. Precisely why I have a beef with what that coach. “If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion, or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein. If there are any circumstances which permit an exception, they do not now occur to us.” -Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Robert Jackson. The only “cause” is Liberty. The only “strong arming” I’ve seen is those that feel the need… Read more »
Dead on, Alex.
The only “strong arming” I’ve seen is those that feel the need for others to pay homage in the way that makes them feel comfortable. Others “approval” is besides the point. Your “guilt” is your own.” I guess it’s all in ones perception. I remember the 70’s when our solders were literally spit on when coming home after their service in Vietnam. I remember how severely they were disrespected. Events these days very much remind me of those days.As I said, you have every right to protest/stand for what you believe but I’m sure as heck not going to sit… Read more »
This was filmed in March. Way before Kaepernick’s protest.
This event took place back in MARCH. Your “open letter” is out of date and irrelevant. Coach Williams done this with every team he’s coached because he felt the way that people would fool around during the anthem was disrespectful of the people (of all races) who laid their lives on the line to protect the ideas (however imperfectly implemented) this country was founded upon. I get that you think Colin Kaepernick is some kind of hero (was he twice as heroic when he wore his pig socks?) but why does it anger you so much that Coach Williams thinks… Read more »
My old friend CW!
Thanks for reading, you may have missed this, “That’s why I find what you did in November, which I learned about only yesterday, pushing your views on your players and forcing them to salute, so sinister. You’re in Virginia, not North Korea.”
I get it. It’s tough to see with all that pent up rage.
And as you point out this event happened before Kapernicks protest so those black vets can’t be apologists for something that has yet to occur, unless they are time travelers, which would be AWESOME!
Kisses
This makes it even more bizarre. 1. There are white and black veterans up there who believe it is important to be respectful when the anthem is sung. 2. The video was about how fidgeting and messing around (not in protest but just in inattention) was disrespectful. None of those kids were screwing around with their jersey in protest 3. As far as the “commodification” comment- I was a scholarship athlete, 3 of my cousins were as well. Is it only tragic and racist when a black kid gets his education paid for and gets a chance to play a… Read more »
Sigh, I’ll try once more. It’s totally irrelevant how you, that coach or anyone else thinks anyone acts during the pledge of allegence or the national anthem. There is no compulsory patriot test. He demanded they stand and salute and memoize the pledge of allegence. He had no right to do this. Comprende? Try this. Article on the landmark decision that protects my right to do as I please whatever song is playing. I’ll post the link http://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/colin-kaepernick-and-a-landmark-supreme-court-case The peroration that closes the opinion in Barnette speaks only of the power of government, but the same idea applies to the… Read more »
I love the Good Men Project comments section. Same three people taking the same position on everything…Alex – This is a great, well-thought-out piece.
Thanks! I know zip about sports but I know my rights.
Where this conversation becomes really, really complicated to me is when an employee chooses to demonstrate while “on the job”. There are ways I can express myself and exercise my “freedom of speech” that would get me fired if I express them as a representative of the company and not just Jim Schmo private citizen. And when you are talking about coaches wanting control over their players (pro or college), there are a ton of “old school” coaches that want to control as much as they can in the idea that limiting “distractions” will help their players focus on the… Read more »