“I have the nerve to walk my own way, however hard, in my search for reality, rather than climb upon the rattling wagon of wishful illusions.”
― Zora Neale Hurston
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Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Stephen L. Carter ― Let’s Calm Down About the NFL’s Anthem Policy
It’s nothing new (ask the NBA), the protests aren’t effective anymore, and owners have a business to run.
(Bloomberg) -- A lot of folks are beating up on the National Football League for its new policy requiring players, if they’re on the field, to “stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.” Angry fans have complained that the NFL is taking away the rights of its players. Danny Heifetz compared the league to the white moderates famously criticized by Martin Luther King Jr. in his Letter from Birmingham City Jail.
Well, let’s slow down. It’s true that President Donald Trump has praised the new policy, and, giving his predilections, may soon be claiming credit. But he’s a relatively unimportant figure in the controversy. There’s a lot more going on here than a tug of war between the president and the lords of football. Here my six quick thoughts:
