This is America

So now it appears that peaceful protests are a thing of the past. At least, if you are in the NFL. In response to NFL players stance on police brutality and racial profiling, the NFL “powers that be” have come up with a rule that says if the players are on the field during the anthem, they must stand. If not, they must stay in the locker room or the team will face fines. Then it becomes an individual team decision about how it disciplines players. Simply put, the “powers that be” have decided that respecting the National Anthem is more important than respecting the rights of others to be free from violence and abuse. Why? A decline in ratings, which naturally means, less money. So, the concern is not really with respecting the National Anthem.

Of course, our President, in response to the NFL’s decision went on to add;

you have to stand PROUDLY for the National Anthem or you shouldn’t be playing, you shouldn’t be there, maybe you shouldn’t be in this country.

Stand PROUDLY! Really? I guess next we will be hearing about team fines if the players look too somber as the National Anthem is being sung.

More importantly, did the President of the United States of America really suggest that the citizens of this country go somewhere else simply because they were not standing PROUDLY for the National Anthem? This is their country too. Therefore, they have just as much right to be here as the individual that gets angry when the players kneel during the National Anthem. The United States of America is a diverse country full of people with different beliefs and ideas. Social activism is what led to many of the changes that exist in our country today:

  1. Voting rights for African-Americans
  2. Voting rights for Women
  3. Desegregation
  4. Abolition of slavery

…To name a few

And, why is it more important to force people to stand PROUDLY for the National Anthem than it is to end:

  1. Gun violence
  2. Racial Profiling
  3. Police Brutality
  4. Education inequality

Is our moral fiber so compromised that we are more concerned with the level of respect that a person gives a song versus the level of respect a person gives another human being?

I wonder what would happen if all of the NFL players stood together and decided not to play football until this policy against peaceful protest was dismantled? After all, it seems that the “powers that be” are minimizing the value of the players.

In the words of Childish Gambino, “This Is America”.

Published by Tonza D. Ruffin

Perfectly Imperfect but VERY PROUD WOMAN, MOM, LAWYER, and AUTHOR, but most importantly...LIFE LOVER! I laugh loud, I work hard, I play hard, I am adventurous, I am curious, I am driven, I have moments of deep insecurity, I am loving, I am vulnerable, I am explosive (not one of my finer qualities), I dance around my house alone, I am an awful perfectionist which makes my insecurity worse, I sing out loud in my car without any concern for whose watching, I have trust issues, I do not live through my children, I no longer try to force my children into the mold that I created so that I could feel validated as a mother, I am a risk-taker, I am guarded in my personal life, I am kind, I am grateful. I am so excited about the rest of my life!

7 thoughts on “This is America

  1. “Despite the NFL’s approval of a revised policy that requires players on the field to stand during the national anthem, Jets chairman Christopher Johnson told Newsday on Wednesday that his players are free to take a knee or perform some other protest without fear of repercussion from the team.” Glad for decisions like these!!!

      1. One thing you should look for in a man. Is a man that is tired. Tired of games, lies, and mulnipulation. One that looks at you not with lust but with longing to get to know that is you. One that not look but sees beyond your imperfections and respects them as marks that separate you from other women. One that not credits himself for you being with him but a men who appreciates that fact that you have chosen him. You seem to be a woman of good character. Chose a man that compliment you.

  2. This is so true! I’m glad to that my favorite team has taken steps in the right direction

  3. This is by far one of your hottest blogs to date. And the way you end it with Childish Gambino ‘s this is America……. very well crafted and put together. You are evolving as a writer and so excited to be along for da journey!!!!!

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