Alejandro Villanueva
-Behind the Steel Curtain
Full disclosure: I am a rabid Pittsburgh Steeler fan. Nevertheless, I have chosen this article from a Steeler blog because the reaction of Steeler offensive lineman Alejandro Villanueva is especially meaningful. Villanueva is not only a minority himself. He is also an ex-Army Ranger who served three tours of duty in Afghanistan.
http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2016/8/29/12692700/steelers-tackle-and-former-army-ranger-alejandro-villanueva-discusses
Unlike Mr Kaepernick, who enjoys the benefits of being an American while choosing not to stand for the National Anthem, Villanueva has served his country in uniform and in combat. Just as he protects quarterbacks like Kaepernick, Villanueva has protected those like Kaepernick so that they could enjoy their freedom of expression regardless of how offensive it is.
4 comments:
Indeed, Kaepernick has a First Amendment right to express his opinion, by not standing for our National Anthem. But Kaepernick insults all who have caught for our Nation's freedom to behave, like Kaepernick's unpatriotic behavior. His "oppression" rhetoric is pure Progressive garbage, in my opinion.
Kaepernick must also understand that many patriotic Americans will exercise their right to reject him and not go to 49er games, not buy his jersey and reject the NFL for supporting him. He will learn something new, that money talks.
Squid
Kaepernick has the right to express his opinion, Villanueva has the right to express his, we each have the right to agree, or disagree. I'm not sure that serving in the military makes your comment more legitimate or more poignant, unless its about what happens in battle. We're all citizens. This is not a republic where only those who served in the military can vote -- see Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers.
By the way, some deeply committed communists fought in the military in WW II, some even getting promoted to sergeant. One to major. Are their opinions more valid than virulent anti-communists who never served?
Few people who are 49ers fans will skip a game because one team member sat down for the national anthem.
I'm not sure the national anthem is a good choice for this kind of protest. The USA, like any nation, has its good, its bad, its ugly. By and large, I think its been a bit more good than ugly, and by the ow bar of human history, that's saying quite a lot. My great great grandfather from east Tennessee fought for that anthem (11th Tennessee Cavalry, U.S. Army, 1863-1864 -- resigned due to wounds sustained in battle and escaping while being marched to Andersonville).
I know people of African descent who take great pride in seeing someone of their color and culture singing the anthem in public, and I know others who "liked" what Kaepernick did and said.
Even when the anthem of another country is played, it is considered respectful and customary for all to stand. When I lived in Germany, Thailaad and Italy, I always stood when their anthem was played. It doesn't necessarily mean allegiance just respect.
Point.
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