The flag and anthem ordeal has me like many others, frustrated. I stand wholeheartedly behind the NFL player protests. But what has it given us besides daily fodder on slow news days in the world of sports. NFL players don't have guaranteed contracts. So those that aren't financially stable err on the side of caution fearing being cut. Owners like Jerry Jones are bullying these players who unlike their brethren in the NBA are rendered powerless. President Trump uses it as a diversion whenever he starts catching heat about things going on in his administration. He can always pick on the segment of players in the NFL who wish to carry on the narrative started by Colin Kaepernick. Maybe I wouldn't have as much of a problem if I didn't know this is more about money than anything else.
Owners have these teams to make money , I get it . But they all are profitable and they are only considering their players as cash cows. Not human beings. They stand behind causes that affect most people. For Harvey, no one said a thing about JJ Watt using his status as a player to raise money for recovery. I commend him for that. But it affected people from all walks of life so no one had a problem. Breast cancer awareness month. Who among us doesn't know anyone who hasn't been afflicted by cancer? So those things NFL owners openly support. Disproportionately, blacks seem to get the short end of the stick in judicial matters. So why not use their power and influence on Capital Hill for more stricter sanctions on law enforcement and registered weapons permit owners for unlawful or unjustified use of weapons. Not just against blacks but all people. It just appears to me that our lives aren't valued the same. That's what these players want. That's what we want. People with resources and influence who can further help facilitate change. Let's have equal unalienable rights for all citizens. One compromise would be inviting family members of victims of these unjustified acts to games as a show of solidarity and support for the cause the players are protesting for and acknowledging them like they do for slain officers and soldiers. This would go a long way in showing the masses that this is a real problem and the NFL isn't ignoring it.
I am a veteran and a Christian. Those were choices. You know what I didn't choose , my genetic makeup. So it pierces my soul, to see so much acceptance of substandard treatment against people who look like me here in this country still today.
I think I speak for most people of color when I say blood being shed here today is much more relevant to me than the blood that was shed in 1776. I am not dismissing the exploits of those pioneers of US history. But let's be real, I don't think those folks had my ancestors best interest in mind either. Hence the reason it took nearly 100 more years to abolish slavery in 1865.
First of all we must live a nearly perfect life. It's not like we can go in a church and shoot 9 people or go in a school, killing faculty and students and still expect to get your day in court. That's too much to expect. After killing 9 people, a cop really wouldn't say you look hungry sir. Let's stop by Burger King before we take you in. Cops don't do that, right. But you better not park in that handicap spot without proper licensing. Whats that like a $200 fine Let me pay it and just move on. Or how about defend your woman's honor, you wouldn't deserve to be shot. Right. Personally I think you are less of a man if you won't defend your wife's honor if she's accosted in a malicious manner by some strange man but that's another issue. How about you go to Grandmas house and have a cell phone in your hand in the backyard? Oh, those are definitely acceptable reasons to be killed. In those instances will the citizen patrol guy or the cop see any prison time? Probably not. Why not? That is simply what Kaepernick kneeled for and this stuff is still going on today. Are we supposed to leave it as status quo, because most of America can't feel our pain? I hope not. We need tougher legislation. Cops need more intensive training. But you'll never hear that from our Russian puppet in the White House.
We live in a country where two people can commit essentially the same crime but get issued far different punishments with the only difference in the people being pigmentation and/or socioeconomic status. But protesting for the betterment of your people is supposed to be dishonorable, unpatriotic. No, it's exercising rights given to them because our military has given them that right. These players aren't naive. They know at 6"5 280 they are defensive lineman for their fans favorite team while the pads are on. But when they are on the street they are considered a scary dude by those that don't know them. Not my words but Officer "Scary" Betty Shelby before she shot Terrence Crutcher in 2016 for being upset that his vehicle broke down. Her fear made her react. She didn't even get a manslaughter charge.
I understand players like Dak Prescott have a limited time to make money on the football field so they may acquiesce to ownership demands. But don't have such a narrow minded focus. Dwayne Johnson was college football teammates with Pro football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp. Want to guess who's Q rating and bank account is higher right now? Ever heard of Jim Brown? Or even Terry Crews. Football player turned actors. Don't let the NFL silence your platform that isn't the only way to make money.
Lebron James and the other NBA stars toe the line every night. No one NFL player is as big of a star as he is. But he is as vocal on social issues as any athlete has been in the last 30 years. Yes he's approaching billionaire status so he is financially set. But he still retains his marketability despite expressing his opinions adamantly. Alienating some I'm sure. But he knows he is a voice that can be heard loud and clear. Remember to whom much is given, much is required. Don't stay silent use your voice, use your platform.
Thursday, August 2, 2018
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Standing for a Cause
The name Colin Kaepernick will forever be stored in the annals of NFL history. But not for the fact he has the most rushing yards in a game by a QB in playoff history. Or leading the San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl 47. But for starting a league wide protest during the playing of the national anthem at the start of NFL games back in 2016. Say what you want to, but his reasons for doing so are being validated , even today. Why else is a man slain on camera for defending his woman from some strange man? After it was obvious he wasn't attacking the guy further once a weapon was brandished. A fatal unnecessary shot was delivered and law enforcement won't press charges on the shooter. Why not? Most real men would have reacted similarly to a stranger accosting their significant other but did he deserved to die for it?
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Do we Matter?
Picture it , Sicily 1948. Ok, that's a little Golden Girls humor. But I figure, I might as well be a little light hearted because of so much contention and discord in modern day America. Even Shonda Rhimes couldn't come up with a script as entertaining as the real life scandals going on in the White House. We have a reality TV star as the President. Only in America , right. Everyday at town halls across the country in areas that 45 aka, President Trump, won overwhelmingly. Lawmakers are being taken to task over this healthcare reform bill that will supplant Obamacare. But for as much drama this has caused. One of America's most heinous and darkest issues continues to rear it's ugly head. Cops killing innocent citizens , most notably, black males without any repercussions.
Comedian Dave Chappell once told a joke referencing why do those Foreign terrorist groups never capture Black Americans and use them for their intimidation tactics up to and including beheadings. Now personally I'm not one to volunteer for that type of assignment, but he does make a good point. Do they perceive us as Black Americans, to be less valued in our country than other other ethnic groups? Does it hurt Americans less to see a black person killed? How about on June 12, 2016 the day of the Orlando, Florida, Gay nightclub shooting. Two of the survivors mentioned that the shooter ,Omar Matteen, shouted thru the locked bathroom door "That if you are black I won't shoot you. You guys have suffered enough". Despite his "generosity" the two witnesses wisely stayed in place. The events of that night were horrifying, and ultimately Mateen was put down and justifiably so. But it does make you wonder about how we are perceived.
Last fall, then San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick was ridiculed for not standing for the American flag prior to the start of NFL games. His reasoning was due to lack of suitable punishment for cops who wrongfully assassinate innocent people, especially those of color. Also in regards to the Presidential election he felt neither candidate put much effort into pushing this agenda. Being in California, a staunch Democratic State. His vote was largely irrelevant due to the antiquated system known as the Electoral College. But that's another issue. Unfortunately his message got lost because people conveniently ignored it. Instead they lambasted him for his approach. But tell me what effective protest doesn't make some people feel uncomfortable?
Believing that no man should have a right to kill a person without repercussions when the victim has done nothing wrong in that moment is blasphemous. Of course there is the ensuing character assassination, to "somewhat" make some people feel the killing was justified. But as witnessed on May 17th , 2017. America still accepts cop killings. The latest example, Officer Betty Shelby was cleared of her manslaughter charge for killing Terrence Crutcher. The whole ordeal was caught on camera and still there was no conviction. All before, with the Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown cases , all we had was here say, nothing was a slam dunk, no confirmed eyewitness accounts or concrete evidence. So this one should have been a slam dunk, right. No. Fortunately there was a recent conviction of a cop killing in 2015. An eyewitness taped N. Charleston cop, Michael Slager shooting Walter Scott as Scott attempted to run away during a traffic stop. Yes he should not have ran, but he had a warrant for back child support and didn't want to go jail. Officer Slager ensured that mom won't get child ever again. Was the punishment worth the crime? If not for the video, Slager would almost certainly be free, since his account was a whole different story and was nothing like the evidence showed. Of course a jury of "his" peers would've let him off and he would go on with his life. Fabricating the truth just enough to stay out of trouble is taught on the first day of Police Academy .
Seriously , lets not forget the fact that innocent human beings are being killed, families are being broken, lives are being altered. All some people care about is character assassination or justification for these murders. My thought is, if someone is selling cigarettes illegally does that equate to being killed? I don't care about their prior offenses. If nothing illegal is going on at that moment and it doesn't threaten your life. Why take their's? Don't slaughter us unnecessarily, we aren't like deer or any other wild game, are we? Or is that how some people portray us to be. If someone of another ethnicity was suspected of doing the same act would cops react the same?
Why do proponents of #bluelivesmatter try to justify the reason someone has loss their life. They feel that the cop is always right. Aren't they are paid to protect and serve "all" citizens. If a crime was committed by me at least let me get my day in court, unless you unequivocally, without a doubt, had to kill me. Surely if Dylan Roof can knowlingly kill 9 parishioners in a church, and get taken to Burger King afterwards, I can expect the same treatment too, except take me to Whataburger. My point is protect us, don't just kill us and concoct bogus stories to get out of being punished for your screwup. If I mess up on my job , depending on the severity of of the incident, I can be fired.
This is mind boggling how in our, "Christian" society, some people care more about a police dog than a fellow human being. Kill a police dog, you get 40 years. By contrast a cop kills an unarmed black man and they get an endless amount of money in their Go Fund me account . To me there's something seriously wrong with that picture. The fact that an animal is held in higher regard than a person is really appalling.
But I have faith in God that these atrocities will one day be an afterthought. That only happens if we truely do matter. I'm not talking about LeBron James, Beyonce, or Denzel Washington. You shouldn't just care about only those folks that entertain you. If you really cared for them, when they voiced their opinion you would respect their thoughts and not say, "stick to playing basketball", you're no politician " so on and so forth. When folks got on social media complaining about Colin Kaepernick speaking out against social injustice. It showed their ignorance and what they view him as. He is a person first and foremost. Just like you he has an opinion and because of free speech and the fact he lives in the greatest country in the world he's entitled to it. After all the commotion started by Colin we still see the same results. So I ask this in closing , will we continue to die as martyrs? Or will "All Lives Matter" once and for all.
Comedian Dave Chappell once told a joke referencing why do those Foreign terrorist groups never capture Black Americans and use them for their intimidation tactics up to and including beheadings. Now personally I'm not one to volunteer for that type of assignment, but he does make a good point. Do they perceive us as Black Americans, to be less valued in our country than other other ethnic groups? Does it hurt Americans less to see a black person killed? How about on June 12, 2016 the day of the Orlando, Florida, Gay nightclub shooting. Two of the survivors mentioned that the shooter ,Omar Matteen, shouted thru the locked bathroom door "That if you are black I won't shoot you. You guys have suffered enough". Despite his "generosity" the two witnesses wisely stayed in place. The events of that night were horrifying, and ultimately Mateen was put down and justifiably so. But it does make you wonder about how we are perceived.
Last fall, then San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick was ridiculed for not standing for the American flag prior to the start of NFL games. His reasoning was due to lack of suitable punishment for cops who wrongfully assassinate innocent people, especially those of color. Also in regards to the Presidential election he felt neither candidate put much effort into pushing this agenda. Being in California, a staunch Democratic State. His vote was largely irrelevant due to the antiquated system known as the Electoral College. But that's another issue. Unfortunately his message got lost because people conveniently ignored it. Instead they lambasted him for his approach. But tell me what effective protest doesn't make some people feel uncomfortable?
Believing that no man should have a right to kill a person without repercussions when the victim has done nothing wrong in that moment is blasphemous. Of course there is the ensuing character assassination, to "somewhat" make some people feel the killing was justified. But as witnessed on May 17th , 2017. America still accepts cop killings. The latest example, Officer Betty Shelby was cleared of her manslaughter charge for killing Terrence Crutcher. The whole ordeal was caught on camera and still there was no conviction. All before, with the Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown cases , all we had was here say, nothing was a slam dunk, no confirmed eyewitness accounts or concrete evidence. So this one should have been a slam dunk, right. No. Fortunately there was a recent conviction of a cop killing in 2015. An eyewitness taped N. Charleston cop, Michael Slager shooting Walter Scott as Scott attempted to run away during a traffic stop. Yes he should not have ran, but he had a warrant for back child support and didn't want to go jail. Officer Slager ensured that mom won't get child ever again. Was the punishment worth the crime? If not for the video, Slager would almost certainly be free, since his account was a whole different story and was nothing like the evidence showed. Of course a jury of "his" peers would've let him off and he would go on with his life. Fabricating the truth just enough to stay out of trouble is taught on the first day of Police Academy .
Seriously , lets not forget the fact that innocent human beings are being killed, families are being broken, lives are being altered. All some people care about is character assassination or justification for these murders. My thought is, if someone is selling cigarettes illegally does that equate to being killed? I don't care about their prior offenses. If nothing illegal is going on at that moment and it doesn't threaten your life. Why take their's? Don't slaughter us unnecessarily, we aren't like deer or any other wild game, are we? Or is that how some people portray us to be. If someone of another ethnicity was suspected of doing the same act would cops react the same?
Why do proponents of #bluelivesmatter try to justify the reason someone has loss their life. They feel that the cop is always right. Aren't they are paid to protect and serve "all" citizens. If a crime was committed by me at least let me get my day in court, unless you unequivocally, without a doubt, had to kill me. Surely if Dylan Roof can knowlingly kill 9 parishioners in a church, and get taken to Burger King afterwards, I can expect the same treatment too, except take me to Whataburger. My point is protect us, don't just kill us and concoct bogus stories to get out of being punished for your screwup. If I mess up on my job , depending on the severity of of the incident, I can be fired.
This is mind boggling how in our, "Christian" society, some people care more about a police dog than a fellow human being. Kill a police dog, you get 40 years. By contrast a cop kills an unarmed black man and they get an endless amount of money in their Go Fund me account . To me there's something seriously wrong with that picture. The fact that an animal is held in higher regard than a person is really appalling.
But I have faith in God that these atrocities will one day be an afterthought. That only happens if we truely do matter. I'm not talking about LeBron James, Beyonce, or Denzel Washington. You shouldn't just care about only those folks that entertain you. If you really cared for them, when they voiced their opinion you would respect their thoughts and not say, "stick to playing basketball", you're no politician " so on and so forth. When folks got on social media complaining about Colin Kaepernick speaking out against social injustice. It showed their ignorance and what they view him as. He is a person first and foremost. Just like you he has an opinion and because of free speech and the fact he lives in the greatest country in the world he's entitled to it. After all the commotion started by Colin we still see the same results. So I ask this in closing , will we continue to die as martyrs? Or will "All Lives Matter" once and for all.
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Decision 2016
Tuesday November 8 America will elect the 45th President of the United Stattes. To say this election season has been a war is being kind. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have both been scrutinized as thoroughly as an accountant going over tax returns. Between Hillary and her email scandal, to Donald and his happy hands. I think for most people here in America have grown weary and dread the fact the fact that these are the last two standing. Let's be honest there is no such thing as a perfect candidate. What we as citizens need to do is to educate ourselves on the policies and see not only what directly affects us. The residual effects of certain policy changes can severely impact a multitude of people. Remember there's two sides to every equation.
Reducing taxes sounds great in theory, but if it was so simple it would've already been done. But what if that impacts a child getting a meal at night. Or a school having the proper tools to educate our youth. Romans 12:13, states Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. This is one nation under God, correct. How about same sex marriages? The Bible speaks defiantly against this. But your vice may not be that issue. One has to wonder what if Presidents were able to impact if you could have a divorce or not. How would that influence your vote? All in all , just be mindful and think about if certain polices like nationwide pat downs by law enforcement based on suspicion only, would affect someone you know. Would it be worth it? Such divisive acts such as this would really hinder the growth of our nation.
Both candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are seriously flawed candidates. But we as Americans must hold ourselves accountable for them being in this position. There were other qualified candidates who didn't have as much baggage, but a great many of us chose our candidate, largely for the wrong reasons, now we are stuck in a quandary. We are choosing between the lesser of 2 evils. The irresponsible one or the insensitive one. Most people would say we're screwed either way. But we must remember God is our source, not man. 1 Timothy 2: states, kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Regardless of who wins we must stand fast and pray for our newly appointed leader, so that he or she may lead this country effectively.
In the aftermath ,what we all must do is be respectful to one another. We as citizens of this country must come together. In fighting only weakens us. Especially with the terror alert we received last week. Al-Qaeda and ISIS are watching and if we aren't prepared we could suffer some grave consequences. Let's rise above all the manusha and celebrate our 45th president with dignity and let's be thankful for those who fought for the right to vote in our democratic process. Let's not take this for granted.
Decision 2016
Tuesday November 8 America will elect the 45th President of the United Stattes. To say this election season has been a war is being kind. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have both been scrutinized as thoroughly as an accountant going over tax returns. Between Hillary and her email scandal, to Donald and his happy hands. I think for most people here in America have grown weary and dread the fact the fact that these are the last two standing. Let's be honest there is no such thing as a perfect candidate. What we as citizens need to do is to educate ourselves on the policies and see not only what directly affects us. The residual effects of certain policy changes can severely impact a multitude of people. Remember there's two sides to every equation.
Reducing taxes sounds great in theory, but if it was so simple it would've already been done. But what if that impacts a child getting a meal at night. Or a school having the proper tools to educate our youth. Romans 12:13, states Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. This is one nation under God, correct. How about same sex marriages? The Bible speaks defiantly against this. But your vice may not be that issue. One has to wonder what if Presidents were able to impact if you could have a divorce or not. How would that influence your vote? All in all , just be mindful and think about if certain polices like nationwide pat downs by law enforcement based on suspicion only, would affect someone you know. Would it be worth it? Such divisive acts such as this would really hinder the growth of our nation.
Both candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are seriously flawed candidates. But we as Americans must hold ourselves accountable for them being in this position. There were other qualified candidates who didn't have as much baggage, but a great many of us chose our candidate, largely for the wrong reasons, now we are stuck in a quandary. We are choosing between the lesser of 2 evils. The irresponsible one or the insensitive one. Most people would say we're screwed either way. But we must remember God is our source, not man. 1 Timothy 2: states, kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Regardless of who wins we must stand fast and pray for our newly appointed leader, so that he or she may lead this country effectively.
In the aftermath ,what we all must do is be respectful to one another. We as citizens of this country must come together. In fighting only weakens us. Especially with the terror alert we received last week. Al-Qaeda and ISIS are watching and if we aren't prepared we could suffer some grave consequences. Let's rise above all the manusha and celebrate our 45th president with dignity and let's be thankful for those who fought for the right to vote in our democratic process. Do not take this for granted.
Reducing taxes sounds great in theory, but if it was so simple it would've already been done. But what if that impacts a child getting a meal at night. Or a school having the proper tools to educate our youth. Romans 12:13, states Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. This is one nation under God, correct. How about same sex marriages? The Bible speaks defiantly against this. But your vice may not be that issue. One has to wonder what if Presidents were able to impact if you could have a divorce or not. How would that influence your vote? All in all , just be mindful and think about if certain polices like nationwide pat downs by law enforcement based on suspicion only, would affect someone you know. Would it be worth it? Such divisive acts such as this would really hinder the growth of our nation.
Both candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are seriously flawed candidates. But we as Americans must hold ourselves accountable for them being in this position. There were other qualified candidates who didn't have as much baggage, but a great many of us chose our candidate, largely for the wrong reasons, now we are stuck in a quandary. We are choosing between the lesser of 2 evils. The irresponsible one or the insensitive one. Most people would say we're screwed either way. But we must remember God is our source, not man. 1 Timothy 2: states, kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Regardless of who wins we must stand fast and pray for our newly appointed leader, so that he or she may lead this country effectively.
In the aftermath ,what we all must do is be respectful to one another. We as citizens of this country must come together. In fighting only weakens us. Especially with the terror alert we received last week. Al-Qaeda and ISIS are watching and if we aren't prepared we could suffer some grave consequences. Let's rise above all the manusha and celebrate our 45th president with dignity and let's be thankful for those who fought for the right to vote in our democratic process. Do not take this for granted.
Decision Time
Tuesday November 8 America will elect the 45th President of the United Stattes. To say this election season has been a war is being kind. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have both been scrutinized as thoroughly as an accountant going over tax returns. Between Hillary and her email scandal, to Donald and his happy hands. I think for most people here in America have grown weary and dread the fact the fact that these are the last two standing. Let's be honest there is no such thing as a perfect candidate. What we as citizens need to do is to educate ourselves on the policies and see not only what directly affects us. The residual effects of certain policy changes can severely impact a multitude of people. Remember there's two sides to every equation.
Reducing taxes sounds great in theory, but if it was so simple it would've already been done. But what if that impacts a child getting a meal at night. Or a school having the proper tools to educate our youth. Romans 12:13, states Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. This is one nation under God, correct. How about same sex marriages? The Bible speaks defiantly against this. But your vice may not be that issue. One has to wonder what if Presidents were able to impact if you could have a divorce or not. How would that influence your vote? All in all , just be mindful and think about if certain polices like nationwide pat downs by law enforcement based on suspicion only, would affect someone you know. Would it be worth it? Such divisive acts such as this would really hinder the growth of our nation.
Both candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are seriously flawed candidates. But we as Americans must hold ourselves accountable for them being in this position. There were other qualified candidates who didn't have as much baggage, but a great many of us chose our candidate, largely for the wrong reasons, now we are stuck in a quandary. We are choosing between the lesser of 2 evils. The irresponsible one or the insensitive one. Most people would say we're screwed either way. But we must remember God is our source, not man. 1 Timothy 2: states, kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Regardless of who wins we must stand fast and pray for our newly appointed leader, so that he or she may lead this country effectively.
In the aftermath ,what we all must do is be respectful to one another. We as citizens of this country must come together. In fighting only weakens us. Especially with the terror alert we received last week. Al-Qaeda and ISIS are watching and if we aren't prepared we could suffer some grave consequences. Let's rise above all the manusha and celebrate our 45th president with dignity and let's be thankful for those who fought for the right to vote in our democratic process. Let's not take this for granted.
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