I am old enough to remember when the media offered facts without opinions designed to influence viewer’s opinions. Today, whether it is with words, facial expressions, or eye-rolling, pretend journalists lack objectivity. If I do watch a “news” broadcast, it is for entertainment related to a single particular advertised guest. It would be a waste of my time for any other reason.
The most recent failure by the media is the situation with San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick. What should have been reported are his actions and his explanation, and allow the American people to make their own decisions. The young ‘mixed-race’ athlete stated that he will sit during the National Anthem in protest to the brutal treatment of black men and women in our nation. What the media did was immediately make him a villain.
Regardless of your opinions about Kaepernick’s decision, you must respect his Constitutional right of free speech. It has been said that “dissent is patriotic.” Our nation would not be here today if our founding fathers had not protested against actions by England. Protests bring issues previously not discussed, or even hidden from the public, to the forefront and incur dialogue.
The media has failed black America. They record funerals of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, but seldom discuss the death of an innocent black man who was murdered by a policeman. They place no emphasis on the fact that it is extremely rare that a law enforcement officer is punished for his crimes.
The media completely ignores the fact that our entire judicial system needs reform. In the courtroom, a young black man convicted of a crime is likely to receive the maximum sentence. White young men often receive parole. Poor Americans are punished; the wealthy and powerful go free, or receive a ‘slap on the wrist.’
“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Kaepernick’s own words: “I’m going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed,” Kaepernick said Sunday at his locker. “To me this is something that has to change. When there’s significant change and I feel like that flag represents what it’s supposed to represent, this country is representing people the way that it’s supposed to, I’ll stand.”
Opinions regarding this issue will be strong on both sides. Black athletes dominate the three major sports, and as one sportscaster spoke about the issue, he made a statement which defines Kaepernick’s courage to risk his career in the NFL with the refusal of other black athletes to support their community. He said that they will wait to see what Kaepernick does next, instead of taking action themselves.
America will never be a great country until all of its citizens are treated equally. Our country is filled with more racism than the media will admit. The poor are ostracized by the wealthy in our country. It has often been said throughout my lifetime that there are “two Americas;” the facts are clear. There is no “United States of America.” Our nation is divided by black and white; by working class and the wealthy.
Whether you approve of Kaepernick’s actions or not, you must admit that he has noble intentions. He told interviewers that he will continue to sit during the Star Spangled Banner.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
Photo Courtesy of Alexandria K Passe
Follow me on Twitter: @jamesturnagenov
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