Stay the Course
Boycott!
March!
Resist!
Pray!
Protest!
How do we stay the course when sports personalities use their platform on and off the field and court to empower the marginalized, and then get penalized or locked out once they do?
How do we stay the course when celebrities use their platform to speak the truth on behalf of the oppressed, and then get pushed aside once they open their mouths?
How do we stay the course when pastors and leaders empower those rejected from the pulpit or from their office using their platform to uplift another, and then learn from their congregation that they object?
For this post, I would like to focus on athletes who are standing up and taking one for the team.
I can recall the two Olympic medalists John Carlos and Tommie Smith who raised their fists in black-gloves during the national anthem while on the podium during the 1968 Summer Games in Mexico City.
Consider Miami Heat basketball players who made a statement by wearing hoodies calling for justice after the murder of Trayvon Martin. There’s something to be said of these athletes who are using their platform for the marginalized who are experiencing injustices.
Today we have a number of NFL players who have decided to raise their fists during the national anthem since Colin Kaepernick was locked out of the National Football League for taking a knee in silent protest of the injustices happening in America. Yet, there are people demanding that they collect their paycheck, play the game, or be prepared to be ousted from their job. Many who are against such protest are yelling how un-American their actions are, and not thinking too much about the inequality, brutality, and injustice black and brown people are experiencing on a regular basis. Who is standing up for the 8-year old biracial boy who was pushed from a table with a rope around his neck by some teen-age boys?
Isn’t it time that we talk about the systemic racism running rampant throughout America?
It has been interesting watching the fallout of the National Football League (NFL) the last few weeks by regular supporters after Kaepernick was not picked up by a team because of his knee. Before the start of the season so many had jumped on the bandwagon to boycott the league. Petitions were circulating. There was an outcry in the media calling for the boycott. Celebrities were asking their fans to follow their lead. Social Media was filled with videos from community members around the nation. Women were producing videos asking other women to join this boycott.
Yet, I ask, “We don’t boycott, long do we?” While scrolling my Facebook news-feed on Sunday afternoon I came across individuals who had called for a complete blackout and boycott of the NFL, now watching and commenting on the Sunday games.
What is it going to take to stay the course?
I will be the first to say, “We must pray!” It is time to avail ourselves to the power of prayer. I am praying for the 8-year old boy. I am praying that he will not be mentally or emotionally scarred. I am praying for unity between cultural and racial groups. I am praying for opportunities to reach across the aisle regardless of politics. I am praying for healing across the land. I am praying, and I am also using my voice by writing blogs, and books, and sharing through READY Publication.
Where is the Rosa Parks influence?
Here’s a woman who refused to give up her seat. She took a stand. What stand are you taking today? I know many may be reading this post saying, “I’m just not into politics.”
Understand that we cannot escape politics. #PoliticallySavvy ~Tweetable~
It does not matter how much you try to stay away from politics, it is not happening. Speaking to your neighbor the conversation turns to politics. Sharing within your church fellowship the conversation will turn to politics. Just say, “Persecuted Christian.”
Is it that many are only giving lip service?
Determine your platform, and stay the course. Yes, you may talk about issues behind closed doors, however, until you speak up others will continue to be oppressed and marginalized.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” MLK Jr.
On Tuesday morning while driving to a women’s Bible study, I listened to the radio station 95.5. I was thankful to hear Tom Joyner of the Tom Joyner Morning Show apologize after he was confronted by Shaun King who has called for a national boycott of the NFL after Tom Joyner shared that he took a brief look at the game of Monday night. At least he admitted that he watched briefly, and apologized for not staying the course.
How about you? Maybe the NFL isn’t your way of protesting the injustices that are taking place all around us. What is? How will your respond?
I love to hear from you. What are you witnessing in your neighborhood, in your local school system, in your local city council, and on your social networks?
Here’s the YouTube video that connects to this post: How Long Can We Stay Silent?
I am also standing confused. I am confused because so many people who I believed were down for the cause or taking a stand, not just the NFL but against the injustices that we as black and brown people face here in America.
I am starting to see that those who give lip service and are RA RA inthe beginning, really don’t care unless it hits them in there own house. Prime example, there is now a call for the boycott of JeQuetta’s on Livingston Ave. Now JeQuetta’s and other corner stores like it, have never been safe for our children, elderly or ourselves, but because a young black man was abused by the CPD in the store, there is now a call for a community boycott. Don’t get me wrong, the police all across this country need to held accountable for all the police brutality that goes on. My question is, where is the boycott when Ray Ray kills Leroy. I am a believer in Black Lives Matter but does it only matter when police brutalize black/brown people?
Matthew 23:23 Work unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgement, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Many of us are just concerned about ourselves, and our families. We care nothing for others, we turn a blind eye to it. I applaud Colin Kapernick, he hasn’t turned a blind eye. He took a stand by taking a knee to bring sight to those who sit blindly by and do or say nothing about the injustices happening in our communities.
I have vowed not to watch one game of the NFL. The NFL has been BLACKED OUT IN MY HOUSE. I STAND WITH KAPERNICK. I STAND FOR OUR PEOPLE.
Kenneth, thank you for joining the conversation. I am afraid that people focus on their needs and what’s best for them. I’m also afraid for some, we have lost community. We do not seem to have the positive fight or stamina to stay the course. So many issues are coming our way one after another. We don’t have time to sit back and wait for someone else to do what we can be doing. Thank you for sharing your story.
We as a people have to wake up!! We have to stop this controversy within our community. Example: I don’t like Rev. Sharpton. However when you call him he is there!! We have to once again learn about not selling out!! Look at us it is 2017 and they are still lynching black men. “Gunning them down”. They don’t use rope no more!! If we can lay our own agendas aside and work on making this a better community for young folks and teach and empower young folks we will see the difference in years to come. The problem is we quit too soon we drop the ball. Dr King didn’t quit!! We fail generations to come because we quit we get quiet. Thank God for men in sports leagues who take a stand but who stands with them. African Americans can and must turn the money off!! Turn the tv off. Disconnect the cable!! No money exchange month except for necessities let them hear us!! We must move as one force! One agenda to empower the next generation!
Denise, great point when you say, “We must move as one force. One agenda to empower the next generation!” I believe so many are waiting for someone to tell them what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. I too believe we get started on an issue that we read or hear about in the news, and as you shared in your comment, “The problem is we quit too soon…we drop the ball.” This cycle will get us nowhere. Something must change. It must start with us and we must stay the course. Thank you for joining the conversation.
These are all such good thoughts. They’re so very important. Stamina and grit, perseverance and passion really matter. And I think you said it well, when you suggest we find our niche and stay the course. We can’t do everything, but we can all do a few things that will collectively impact our society. The sad thing is that hate is like fire, it takes a little match and spreads like wildfire through the land. We must be a people of love, and we must love with truth and boldness, with courage and stalwart intentionality.
The little boy in NH through me in a spiral. No. No. No.
Thank you for your voice and for your willingness to be a Rosa Parks for such a time as this.
xox
Tina, I agree with you. “Stamina and grit, perseverance and passion really matter.” Absolutely! Those of us on the frontline are growing tired, but we cannot stop now. As you suggested we can start with a few things. I always encourage people to start small by beginning in their immediate neighborhoods, then school system, then local issues, and move out from there. Love wins, and with this love we find strength to stay focus and continue the journey. Thank you for joining the conversation.