Tag Archives: Colin Kaepernick

Why Shannon Sharpe Is ‘Undisputed’

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The Colin Kaepernick conversation parade continued last week when it became virtually a daily discussion topic on FS1’s new sports talk show, Undisputed. The show is comprised of former Espn First Take’s television personality and Award-winning journalist, Skip Bayless, NFL Hall of Famer and three-time Super Bowl champion, Shannon Sharpe and moderator (*cough* Molly Qerim look-a-like) Joy Taylor.  Although the show has received some criticisms from naysayers like Skip’s former Espn colleague Dan Le Batard, calling the show “First Fake”, Undisputed has managed to pick up steam by tackling one of America’s most contentious topics surrounding the matters of race. In one of the commercials I’ve seen for the show, Bayless promises that he will “unleash” and be “unfiltered”, when in fact it’s actually been his opponent Sharpe who’s been doing all of the unleashing lately. Understand, when it comes to the Kaepernick protest, what it did was unveil what many black folks already knew what was there—white racism.  It exposed the “One of my best friends is black”, nonsense some white folks regurgitate because how dare this Negro show contempt towards those who fought for his freedom? Even though Colin made it perfectly clear that he was protesting about police brutality and oppression against people of color; still, the only thing his detractors focused on was the so-called desecration of the American flag and the countless veterans who’d fought for this country. Like black folks haven’t fought for this country though, right? Now enter Shannon Sharpe to properly articulate from the black perspective and essentially shutdown the talking points that most other black sports commentators—Stephen A. and Jason Whitlock—has either danced around or straight up referred to it as “gestures”.

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In a poignant segment held on Wednesday last week, Sharpe touched on comments made by Clemson’s head football Dabo Swinney, by calling his remarks “antiquated” and just because we have blacks as ceo’s, millionaire’s, and the nation’s first black president, just because certain ones are celebrated, what about the ones who are looked down upon? As the conversation furthered, Sharpe cogently explains when dealing with the police, both should be treated equally:

“This is what I ask Skip: If a police officer were to pull you and I over on different occasions, and he walks to your car and asks for your driver’s license, proof of insurance, registration; I would expect him to walk to my car—not with his hand on his gun—and ask me in the same polite manner. And if you ask him a question and he answer it; I would like to ask him a question and him not tell me to shut my ____ mouth…

Later on in the program, Swinney’s comments were broached again by another guest, college football analyst Joel Klatt. Like so many others, Klatt brought up the good ol’ veteran speech due his father serving in World War II. Klatt also made it a point that he found what Seattle did by joining arms to be more “acceptable” versus what Kaepernick originally did because he didn’t know what he was doing. Sharpe, however, wasn’t fooled by Klatt’s obvious hypocrisy (which deserved a stern side eye btw) and continued to dissect into the college analyst argument by bringing up his privilege; his white privilege. Klatt briefly interrupted Sharpe by saying “we view this entire situation through very individual lenses,” because frankly in Klatt’s (and many other white folks who think like him) opinion, the flag is reserved for all things heroic, patriotic, and white American values, only. To this, Sharpe addressed Klatt’s remarks:

“You view it through the lens of being a white male [Klatt agreed] that has never had an amendment, an act, or a constitution amended for your civil rights. You never had a white man had fair housing (?). You never had to say, ‘you know what, you can’t go [Joel Klatt] to that place because you’re a white male.’ You never had that…But I tell you what, I bet you Jerry Jones would not trade places with a 75-year old black man in Chicago or Detroit. I bet Joel Klatt would not trade places with a 30-year old black guy from Chicago or Watts; I bet he wouldn’t do that. You know why? Because it’s great to know that I’m white and I’m a male in America; and I’m viewed totally different than any other demographic—in America. That’s fact. That’s not fiction…that’s not a prism. That’s factual.”

I must admit it’s very refreshing to see an intelligent brother on television being able to speak his mind so fluidly and not have to settle being the typical Negro who has to (and gets used to) buck dance around white folks. Unlike other social issues, the problem of race is as Max Kellerman stated this country’s “original sin”, so to see it discussed openly and poignantly, was exceptionally powerful.  Undisputed may have originally pinned in some people’s minds as powerhouse, popular, sportswriter going one-on-one with some former fill-in sports jock. Well make no mistake about it, Undisputed might be Bayless’ show but after the first few weeks, Sharpe has not only handled his own when matching wits with Skip, he has also established himself as riveting and knowledgeable commentator that is a force to be reckoned with. Don’t act like you didn’t notice Joel’s face during that debate though. One word: Sal-ty!

If I had only one wish like Ray J I wish there were more Sharpe’s in sports talk media; but that won’t likely happen. It makes me wonder with FS1 being a Fox station which normally only deals with racial issues from a conservative, right-wing angle, would allow Sharpe to speak more from a liberal perspective. Because we all know there exist that counter group who’s indifferent towards Sharpe’s passionate views; and that he’s making excuses for “lazy black folks”. Even though they would purposely ignore when Shannon mentioned several times that he “judges people individually”, they will still bring up why he didn’t mention black on black crime like Ray Lewis, who also appeared on the show. Nevertheless, the show was about (I repeat) police brutality and the oppression people of color (mainly black folk) have faced in this country—not about black on black crime. Maybe one day as a black community we can all protest the niggerish behavior that takes place in our hoods. Only problem with that is the Negroes who complain about it the most, or use it to impress the white conservatives they emulate, would actually have to come back to these “hoods”. Now why you wanna go and do that? Grace and Peace y’all!

 

 

Kaepernick’s ‘Unpatriotic’ Conviction

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“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color…” “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

(http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000691077/article/colin-kaepernick-explains-why-he-sat-during-national-anthem)

As the dog days of the national sports world comes to a close, many networks are looking for virtually anything newsworthy to chew on until college and pro football lines up for the opening snap. That includes socio-political issues that have become immersed in sports talk much to the chagrin to the common man’s sports junkie pleasure. Which brings me to the story of Colin Kaepernick, who, for all intended purposes, might not even keep a roster spot by years end. The story of Kaepernick’s political protest has created lighting rod in sports talk because it has more to do with what’s critical and eye opening instead of what’s popular. It transcends the sports world and makes typical Americans focus on a matter that’s often swept under the rug. No, we’re not talking about the usual “black on black crime” that usually circulates the media circuit and puts the emphasis on black folks to get it together. Kaepernick’s statements shines a light on law enforcement which is to the American masses is a slap in the face, followed by an indignant middle finger to everything deemed “white American.” By Kaepernick refusing to stand and acknowledge the national anthem, he has become in many people’s eyes an “anti-American” who is ungrateful for what our military has done—past or present—so he can have the opportunity to enjoy life as a citizen of the alleged free world. How dare Colin commit the sin of patriotic blasphemy, or did he?

None of Kaepernick’s detractors will stick to what he actually said, nor will they point to the reason why he said it. They are quick to point out our service men but will not address our local so-called service men that have gotten away with killing black people with impunity. For instance, you have law enforcement that has been captured on camera murdering African-Americans in cold blood, yet these same officers have as Kaepernick has stated, “getting paid leave for getting away with murder.” So how does such a pivotal statement get misconstrued? Simple because Colin has as Stephen A. Smith articulated, made Americans choose sides; like it or not. If one was to look at social media this past weekend, you can clearly see how the American populous took to Colin’s conviction which was mostly met with venomous ire.

Then you have your Victor Cruz’s and now Jerry Rice’s of the world coming forth trying to diffuse Colin’s stance at the appeasement or out of their own opinion, which coincidentally sides with the prevailing popular opinion—of white folks. I wonder though if these Negro athletes are familiar with the person who wrote the national anthem in the first place? None other than American honored Francis Scott Key, who was a lawyer by day and a slaveholder by all means necessary to benefit the capitalistic so-called patriot. Even if one was to dive in the annals of the Smithsonianmag.com, there lies an article which begs to question “Where’s the Debate on Francis Scott Key’s Slave-Holding Legacy?” Here’s an excerpt for those who just don’t know:

In 1814, Key was a slaveholding lawyer from an old Maryland plantation family, who thanks to a system of human bondage had grown rich and powerful.

When he wrote the poem that would, in 1931, become the national anthem and proclaim our nation “the land of the free,” like Jefferson, Key not only profited from slaves, he harbored racist conceptions of American citizenship and human potential. Africans in America, he said, were: “a distinct and inferior race of people, which all experience proves to be the greatest evil that afflicts a community.” (http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/wheres-debate-francis-scott-keys-slave-holding-legacy-180959550/?no-ist)

If one was to read further in the article, you would discover that Key’s racist views were parallel to President Thomas Jefferson and many others; for even he too thought the Negro was a inferior being. With that being said, how can anyone justify their scrutiny towards Kaepernick for not standing for a country whose original sin continues to haunt them at every angle? Whether it be through the media or our government, the fact is the so-called American Negro hasn’t received its well-deserved justice and those who think otherwise are living in a color blind society.  America has made it common practice for the Negro to forget what has happen to his ancestors while having no problem propping up so-called Jews and the travesty of their Holocaust. This is the minimization of black culture which gives rise to the affluent blacks who have quote, “made it” but share the same ideology that is pro bono for white folks.

In the end, what Colin Kaepernick has done is open that same can of worms that too often gets fed to self-righteous journalists, pundits, and typical American skeptics who would rather hear about if Colin will make it to his or hers fantasy league. Given his limited platform, Kaepernick has decided to break the sports code for Negroes by not only refusing to acknowledge the national anthem, but telling you why he does by directly pointing to an institutional problem with law enforcement. I wonder, would Kaepernick’s stance be considered this “newsworthy” if it was something other than black lives? Kaepernick’s stance should leave the normal American downtrodden NOT because you agree or disagree with Colin, but for the simple fact that when you express your beliefs according to our Bill of Rights, you get vilified. The hatred especially gets intensified when you speak on black issues. This is a no-no in America or you’ll get labeled as being a “victim” or some KKK affiliate (for what reason I don’t know) when black folks DO NOT have a history of oppressing folks. But it is what it is…peace and love y’all!