Deshaun Watson Is Handling Racist Views On Black Quarterbacks With Class
Black quarterbacks are always under fire and judged at a higher standard than their white counterparts. Deshaun Watson responds to a recent comment about the play of black quarterbacks with pure class!
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports - Deshaun Watson
“When you need precision decision making you can’t count on a black quarterback”
By: Omar Cook
Black quarterbacks are always under fire and judged at a higher standard than their white counterparts. One of the biggest stereotypes of black quarterbacks is that they are only good as athletes and not for their arm talent. And now you can add lack of “precision decision making” to the list of black quarterback stereotypes.
After the Houston Texans week 2 loss to the Tennessee Titans, Lynn Redden, the superintendent of the Onalaska Independent School District in Onalaska, Texas, took to facebook to give his racist opinion on Deshaun Watson’s play. “When you need precision decision making you can’t count on a black quarterback” said Redden. When asked about the post he said he regretted but “Over the history of the NFL, [black quarterbacks] have had limited success.” What??
This has to be one of the most casually racist things to say, and it’s crazy that people just let things like this “slip” out of their mouth so easily, better yet on social media. But this is a school superintendent. These are the people that are in positions of influence that feel this way about black athletes and black people. And of course they always regret or feel bad after they get caught saying it.
Being a black quarterback in the NFL has to be the toughest job there is because people will judge your every move, and wait for the moment you mess up to criticize you, as if they could do the job better. Deshaun Watson has been awesome since entering the league, so to judge him off of a bad play in a game because of his skin color is extremely low.
But of course, Deshaun Watson responded back with class:
"But I'm all about love, [so] I don't focus on [any] of that. I love all people. And that's what I focus on. It's part of life. I can't control other people and what their beliefs are. I can control what I can control, so I just focus on me, and that's it."
Texans Head Coach Bill O’Brien also came to Watson’s defense.
"I really don't want to waste a lot of time responding to outdated, inaccurate, ignorant, idiotic statements," O'Brien said. "I'll just let Deshaun's proven success on the field, his character off the field, speak for itself. He's one of the greatest guys I've ever coached. He represents everything that's right about football, about life…His teammates respect him, his coaching staff respects him, and in this day and age, it's just amazing that this B.S. exists. But it does. But we're moving forward."
It’s 2018 and we’re still dealing with the stereotypes on black players as quarterbacks. At what point do we come to an understanding that race has nothing to do with being able to play a position, and that black quarterbacks are just as capable if not more capable of playing the position than their white counterparts? Who would’ve predicted that in 2018, racism would still exist? But here we are.
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Will Le'Veon Bell Play Football This Season?
Heading into week 3, Le’Veon Bell is showing no signs of ending his holdout. Will we see Le’Veon Bell play football this season?
By: Omar Cook
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 0-1-1 after dropping their home opener to the Kansas City Chiefs, 42-37 and ending the season opener in a tie with the Cleveland Browns. After an almost non existent rushing performance against the Chiefs, it’s safe to say the Steelers could use their all-pro runningback. Le’Veon Bell continues to make his case for a long-term deal instead of signing his $14.5 million franchise tag and plans on continuing his holdout going into week 3.
It doesn’t seem Bell is too pressed about not being in uniform right now though as he is sitting back living his best life right now. Bell celebrated the release of his new music project, "My Side of Things" EP at Rockwell nightclub in South Beach while also taking some time to go jetskiing earlier in the day.
After being franchise tagged for the second straight season, it’s understandable that Bell is frustrated as he is looking for a long term deal that will pay him more, and deservingly so. In the past 2 seasons, Le’Veon Bell has accounted for 3830 total offensive yards and 20 touchdowns. Bell is definitely a dynamic athlete that deserves a big time pay day but at this point, it seems as if both sides are being very petty.
The NFL ranked Bell as the fifth best player on the top100 players list in 2017, but didn’t even rank in the top 50 highest paid players. So to his defense, he’s right, he should be getting paid. Todd Gurley signed a 4 year, $60 million deal with $45 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus. To say that Le’Veon Bell doesn’t deserve this kind of money is an understatement, so this explains the waiting game. Le’Veon Bell holding out for this long is a huge statement by an individual, but it is a move that is definitely warranted.
To make matters worse, star receiver Antonio Brown was a no show at practice on Monday after the week 2 loss. The Steelers can’t afford to lose anymore star power at this point. A far as we know, Bell isn’t showing up until he gets paid so it’s hard to say if we’re going to see him in a jersey this season at all. Unfortunately, this is the ugly side of the NFL where the business part can take away from the raw passion of the game.
The Steelers are going to need the tandem of Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown if they want to make a case for AFC North champions this season. James Conner is a great addition to the Steelers but he’s no Le’Veon Bell and all should Steelers fans should be praying that both sides can come to an agreement so that we can see some electrifying plays in the run game this season.
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Mayweather Vs Pacquiao Is The Matchup We All Don't Care To See, But We'll Still Watch
Floyd Mayweather announced that a rematch with Manny Pacquiao is in the works, but did we really ask for this?
LAS VEGAS - APR 28 : A sign at the MGM Grand advertises about the Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao fight on April 28 2015 in Las Vegas , the fight scheduled to May 2 2015
Credit: Kobby Dagan via Shutterstock
“I’m coming back to fight Manny Pacquiao this year another 9 figure pay day on the way.”
By: Omar Cook
Okay Floyd, we love you, but how many times you planning on retiring and coming out of retirement? I mean damn. We get it though, money talks and this is a business. Floyd Mayweather announced that a rematch with Manny Pacquiao is in the works for this year.
In the interaction Pacquiao tells Mayweather, "I have the belt," and Mayweather responds, "I'm going to take it from you like I did before." I feel like these dudes have been beefing since ‘93. Mayweather is 41 and Pacquiao is 39 turning 40 at the end of the year. This fight which will be a major pay day no doubt, will be like watching your two old ass uncles who still hold a grudge from 12 years ago go at it.
The last time these two fought each other was on May 2, 2015 and Mayweather won in 12 rounds by a unanimous decision. Mayweather who is (50-0, 27 KOs) earned a guaranteed purse of $100 million but brought in about $220 million in total. The bout itself resulted in 4.4 million pay-per-view buys which was double the previous record of 2.48 million for the 2007 fight between Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya. It also brought in more than $400m in domestic pay-per-view revenue. This kind of pay day would wake anyone up from retirement. We get it.
Floyd Mayweather has only fought twice since then with a win over Andre Berto in September 2015 and a 10th-round knockout of Conor McGregor in August 2017. Pacquiao who holds a record of (60-7-2), is coming off a sixth-round stoppage of Lucas Matthysse in July. and is serving as the Senator of the Philippines. Mayweather told us after the McGregor bout that "this was my last fight." This was obviously a lie. Expect this fight to come around December, the fight we all didn’t ask for but are getting just because.
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We're Tired Of The Angry Black Woman Narrative Surrounding Serena Williams
There’s a difference between passion and arrogance, but major media outlets have chosen to describe 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams as angry and arrogant after her defeat. Aren’t we tired of the angry black woman narrative? We discuss it here!
Serena Williams. Photo: Elsa/Getty Images
“For me it blows my mind. But I’m going to continue to fight for women.”
By: Omar Cook
Serena Williams is at the center of controversy following her loss to Naomi Osaka at the US Open women's final. The 23-time Grand Slam champion got into a heated argument with the chair umpire after she was penalized for apparently receiving coaching from the stands. Her coach gestured hand signals to Serena and she was penalized for this action. The result; Serena Williams went on to defend herself and her integrity to the game against the official. Adding insult to injury, she was also hit with a $17,000 fine for the event.
Anyone that's ever played a sport knows the time and commitment it takes to be great at a sport so to be upset after getting penalized for this type of action is understandable. Any great athlete exhibits passion for their sport, because it means something to them. This was the championship match, and making this type of call in this match was ludicrous. This happens in tennis all the time, where players receive coaching from the stands. Serena Williams has lost many of times and has always accepted defeat with grace and Naomi Osaka was already ahead in the match but the call itself was what made Serena speak up.
Major props to Naomi Osaka, for winning her first title and defeating Serena. Serena Wiliams even comforted Naomi after the victory but this is just a part of the story. This story is about how the media has tried to portray Serena Williams after this defeat as the angry black woman, and a sore loser using headlines to antagonize this situation.
Any time black women speak up for themselves they are depicted as angry. And in this particular situation, she had every right to be angry. But to depict what happened in such a way that it's demeaning to her character and shows her in way that makes it seem like she was in the wrong for speaking up, is deplorable. Exhibiting passion for what happened is one thing. Saying she was having a meltdown is another. Stop trying to make this woman look crazy for standing up for herself.
The major news outlets know exactly what they're doing by using images of her screaming and yelling because that fits their narrative of showing black women in a certain way. Not only that, but Naomi Osaka is Haitian AND Japanese, NOT just Japanese. The media has done its very best to keep the Haitian part out of the story. Naomi is a black champion. This was a big moment for BLACK women, two black women competing for a championship. Instead it was overshadowed by poor media headlines and poor refereeing.
Serena had a number of things to say about the match, even calling out sexism in tennis. "I'm here fighting for women's rights and for women's equality and for all kinds of stuff. For me to say 'thief' and for him to take a game, it made me feel like it was a sexist remark," she said. "He's never taken a game from a man because they said 'thief.' For me it blows my mind. But I'm going to continue to fight for women." Serena is right, had this happened in a men's match, this more than likely would have gone uncalled.
But let's dig a little deeper. This same umpire penalized her sister Venus in 2016 for the same exact thing.
Coincidence? I don't know, but the obvious is that this is not the first time it happened and BOTH women sisters spoke up about it. It seems their is always some type of negative agenda that tries to surround Serena. She was attacked for wearing beads in her hair. She was attacked for wearing a Nike catsuit during the French Open. And now attacked for speaking up for what she thought was right. We are tired of the angry black woman narrative that's being pushed out there. The media needs to do a better job with these weak headlines that forever perpetuate stereotypes, OR maybe just hire more black writers and we won't have this issue. We stand with you Serena.
Listen to the post match interview where Serena speaks about Sexism in tennis.
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Nike Releases "Just Do It" Commerical With Colin Kaepernick At The Lead
The NFL will have to sit back and watch as its biggest sponsor, Nike, will display their “Just Do It'“ commercial featuring Colin Kaepernick during a Thursday night matchup between the Falcons and Eagles.
By: Omar Cook
The NFL season kicks off tonight with a week 1 matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Atlanta Falcons for a Thursday night matchup, but that's not even the real headline! Nike released its new commercial with Colin Kaepernick at the lead as he narrates the whole commercial! The even bigger catch is that Nike plans on showcasing it during the NFL opener tonight! LOL.
This is real reality tv. The NFL who has pretty much blackballed Kaepernick out of the league for protesting during the national anthem, will have to sit back and watch as its biggest sponsor puts Kaepernick on full display. This is a real life example of when you don't do right by someone, it comes back to you. The irony.
The commercial itself is a dope production, and if you aren't inspired by it or have something negative to say about it, there's a major chance that you're just a hater. People have been talking about a boycott of the NFL for some time now, but they are also calling for a boycott of Nike. Good luck. There have been a lot of naysayers about Nike making Kaepernick their head man for their "Just Do it" campaign, and none bigger than the president himself.
Check out the full Nike "Just Do It" commercial featuring Colin Kaepernick here!
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Nike's Decision To Feature Colin Kaepernick Has People Choosing Sides
Nike’s decision to feature Colin Kaepernick in their 30th anniversary campaign of their “Just Do It” motto has people choosing sides! What’s the real issue? We discuss it here!
“We believe Colin is one of the most inspirational athletes of this generation, who has leveraged the power of sport to help move the world forward”
By: Omar Cook
This might be one of the biggest plot twists of the year. Colin Kaepernick, who is currently suing NFL owners for allegedly conspiring to blackball him from the league, is the face of Nike's 30th anniversary campaign of their "Just Do It" motto. This is a bold statement coming from a major sports company, the same sports company that sponsors the NFL's uniforms. Sheesh.
Colin Kaepernick - Nike "Just Do It" Campaign
Kaepernick has been on the endorsement roster since 2011 but hasn't been actively used within the company in the past 2 years, so this is major unexpected news to the sports world. Nike has not shied away from taking a controversial stand in sports as it just recently supported Serena Williams and her decision to wear a black Nike catsuit despite it being officially banned from the future play at the French Open.
With today's political atmosphere, it's become increasingly difficult to keep politics out of the sports world and differences in opinions have fans choosing sides. With Nike making this bold decision to openly support Kaepernick, some consumers have begun to say that they will no longer support the brand and some have gone as far as even burning their Nike gear or cutting out logos. I mean seriously? Does it really make you that upset that a company would show their support for him? It makes you upset that a man stood up for something he believed in?
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People aren't even hiding their racism anymore. It's been 2 whole years since Kaepernick started his protests for racial injustice and people are still asking, WHY he decided to kneel during the anthem! People are still using the same played out narrative that what he is doing is disrespectful to the military. I'm convinced of 2 things; 1) That certain people really just don't care what the truth is and want to keep convincing themselves that racism doesn't exist and 2) that basic reading comprehension is not a common skill for Americans. The information about what the protests are about is out, BEEN out there. People just pick and choose what narrative fits their mindset.
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Trying to convince certain people that what Kaepernick is doing is the right thing is like talking to a wall. There are people that even try to compare him to military members by saying he isn't a true patriot because he took a knee during pregame; that real patriots are sacrificing their lives in the military and not just acting out as a "privileged" football player. These are the keyboard warriors of America. The people that would never have the courage to do what he did but have the audacity to say he isn't a true patriot. Keyword warriors, what have you done for this country that's so great? This is not 1950. Black people have a voice and whether you like it or not, it's going to be heard.
It's time for more major companies like Nike to make statements like this that push our country forward in support of justice for all. Despite these people saying they will never buy NIke again, truly I believe Nike will be ok. This is a worldwide brand that extends past racist Americans. Thank you Nike for standing up for people of color, as this is a huge step forward.
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What The "Serena Williams Rule" Says About Black Women In Sports
Serena Williams has been banned from wearing her Nike designed “catsuit” at the French Open. We discuss why this rule shows how black women are over sexualized because of their body!
“It will no longer be accepted. One must respect the game and the place.”
By: Omar Cook
Serena Williams is one of the greatest athletes in sports history, male or female. Having won multiple world titles, olympic medals, and consistently being ranked top in the world in her sport, she has more than paid her dues to the game. But even controversy finds the greatest of players.
Serena Williams took some time off from the game due to the birth of her child, and has been battling with her health and blood clots. Nike designed a special catsuit that was made to help her recover faster during competition, which she wore earlier this year in her return at the French Open. “Yeah, the catsuit, I had a lot of problems with my blood clots, and, God, I don’t know how many I have had in the past 12 months." Said Serena. “So it is definitely a little functionality to it. I have been wearing pants in general a lot when I play so I can keep, you know, the blood circulation going." She continued saying, “It’s a fun suit, but it’s also functional so I can be able to play without any problems.”
Serena Williams Wears Nike Catsuit at the French Open (TIM CLAYTON - CORBIS VIA GETTY IMAGES)
“It feels like this suit represents all the women that have been through a lot mentally, physically, with their body to come back and have confidence and to believe in themselves,” Said Serena Williams this past June, after her major win in Paris following the birth of her daughter. “I feel like a warrior in it, like a warrior princess kind of, queen from Wakanda. I’m always living in a fantasy world. I always wanted to be a superhero, and it’s kind of my way of being a superhero. I feel like a superhero when I wear it.”
French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli told Tennis Magazine that there will be a new dress code at the French Open going forward stating "I think that sometimes we've gone too far." He continued by saying "It will no longer be accepted. One must respect the game and the place."
We all know that Serena Williams has a curvy figure, but to make a rule specifically because of the way her body looks in athletic gear is not only sexist, but it speaks volumes to how black women are viewed. If we're being real, if a non-black woman with less of a curvy figure had worn this outfit, would this be an issue? Here we have an athlete, the best athlete in women's tennis history, being shamed for wearing an outfit designed to give her a health benefit. Are we saying that having too much curves is a problem now? Serena has been criticized before for wearing beads in her hair so the hate is nothing new.
Women should be able to promote body positivity and love themselves for how they are naturally shaped. Serena said she wore the suit to represent "all the moms out there who had a tough pregnancy and had to come back and try to be fierce." What message is really being sent by trying to limit what this woman wears in competition? If a full body suit is unacceptable, than what is acceptable?
Black women tend to have naturally curvy bodies are often sexualized because of their figures, and this new rule just perpetuates the over sexualization. Being too "thick" is not something that women should have to deal with or even be ashamed of, specifically black women. Women should be able to embrace their bodies without being ridiculed for it being seen as over the top. Men in positions of power need to check themselves about how they deal with women, and what they say. This is rule is ridiculous, and if we have to call it for what it is, it's blatant racism.
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Lebron James | Promises To Be Fulfilled
Lebron James is setting new standards and destroying old stereotypes of black athletes! With the opening of James’ I Promise School, the promises associated with it will sow many benefits back into the community, which will produce many successful black millennials for the future! We discuss his impact here!
Wally Skalij - NY Times - Lebron James | Promises To Be Fulfilled
“When people ask me, ‘Why a school?’ that’s part of the reason why...Because I know exactly what these 240 kids are going through. I know the streets that they walk. I know the trials and tribulations that they go through. I know the ups, the downs.”
By: Destiny Williams
It is so often that the people of America propose promises to an audience when seeking any type of position that will be influenced by the public opinion. Some popular instances of this matter are those that stand on the political podium. They sync these promises in their speeches, in hopes to get the audience’s attention and eventually their vote. But the promise of my referral was brought about by a black man whose proposal was the promise.
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Lebron James, a billionaire NBA basketball player just opened a school called the “I Promise School” otherwise known as “IPS”. The school is encrypted with so many benefits for students who are enrolled there. For any student that attends they will be given free transportation (within a 2 mile radius), free breakfast & lunch, free snacks, free uniforms, free tuition, a food pantry for the families of the students’, free bicycle and helmet, GED and job placement services for parents and free tuition to the University of Akron for every student that graduated from the school. These are the promises that lie within the platform.
His proposal was to give back to his community by building a school and the encrypted promises will sow so many benefits back into the community which will produce many successful black millennials. James sets the standard high for many black men who admire his success and wish to one day obtain anything close to it in their future. When someone admires a public figure they usually watch their every move such as appearances, games, plays, and their overall representation. So for many young black men and boys he is perfect role model. James has been married to the same woman for 5 years after previously dating for awhile. This is a great example to exemplify that it is okay for black men to find love, often our men feel that they should have lots of girls to entertain but James proves that love won’t count anyone out for success.
James also never went to high school but this shows that if one allows it, their dreams can take them as far as they would like to go. He’s also a team player, which symbolizes that there is enough room for everyone. Most black people feel that they are usually in competition with their colleagues so that usually creates hostility and sometimes adversity. He also is determined by all circumstances, even though he continually wins he still trains which shows he’s always humble and strives to be greater even at the peak of success in his career. Most importantly, he exemplified his relationship with God, his wife and kids.
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Jeff Lange/ABJ/Ohio.com - Lebron James Opens Promise School in Ohio
The stereotype for black men is that they are absent in the lives of their children. But James exceeds the standards and most people who watch his success will try their best to abide by his standards. James sets an extraordinary example for the youth who seek his success in admiration. Hopefully, James exemplary actions will be trendsetting for the upcoming generations and will open up a new element of success for young black men.
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Malcolm Jenkins Has a Message for the White House: "You Aren't Listening"
“You aren’t listening.” Philadelphia Eagles Safety Malcolm Jenkins gave a very outspoken interview without actually saying anything at all. Will the NFL critics start paying attention now? Check out what he had to say!
Philadelphia Eagles Safety Malcolm Jenkins gave a very outspoken interview without actually saying anything at all. A day after President Trump rescinded his offer to the Philadelphia Eagles to come to celebrate at the white house, the veteran safety was interviewed about how the team felt about Trump's remarks and why they decided not to go. Instead of answering verbally, Jenkins responded to each question with handwritten cards. Malcolm Jenkins, you were a real one for this.
Without saying anything, he said a lot. NFL players are fed up with not being able to have their voices heard and their protests misinterpreted. In what was supposed to be a celebration of the SuperBowl Champs, President Trump became frustrated at the tiny number of players that were expected to show up. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, most of if not all of the Eagles black players were planning on not attending. Trump issused this statement:
“The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow,” Trump said in a statement. “They disagree with their president because he insists that they proudly stand for the national anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country. The Eagles wanted to send a small delegation, but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better. These fans are still invited to the White House to be part of a different type of ceremony — one that will honor our great country, pay tribute to the heroes who fight to protect it, and loudly and proudly play the national anthem. I will be there at 3 p.m. with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus to celebrate America.
Trump cancelled a party that wasn't even happening. Going to the White House after winning a national championship is supposed to be an honor for sports teams, but recent disagreements with the President have discouraged teams and players from wanting to show up. For as long as Trump is in office, we could see a trend of college and professional players turning down the opportunity to visit the white house.
When asked about how he felt about Trump cancelling Eagles trip, Lebron James responded “I mean, I know no matter who wins this series, no one wants the invite anyway. So it won’t be Golden State or Cleveland going.” Players are beginning to make a statement by not wanting to meet with the President and it's slightly embarrassing. It's embarrassing that the highest political position held in the country is occupied by a bigot, and professional athletes are making it known that they won't stand for it, literally. If we're being real, who honestly wants to volunteer to go party with Donald Trump, shake hands and trade fake smiles.
The Eagles also made headlines when Fox News released a story on the team showing Eagles players kneeling down in prayer before the game and tried to used that as propaganda to make it seem as if they were kneeling during the anthem. Not one Eagles players kneeled during the anthem last season.
Conservative news outlets and Trump supporters continue to push the agenda that kneeling for before the anthem is disrespectful to the anthem. We're tired of hearing this arguement. Malcolm Jenkins silent protest pretty much summed it up, "You aren't listening." In all honesty, they are listening. These people know what's up and they what the issues are. They are just choosing to remain ignorant on this subject for whatever personal reasons. It's much easier to call players privileged and tell them to protest on their own time than it is to actually hear them out and come to some reasoning. Donald Trump's statements on NFL players on enables these people to perpetuate their ignorance more and more.
This will be an interesting NFL season and we can almost guarantee that their will be many more protests to be seen. Grab some popcorn and take a seat so you can sit back and watch this fake outrage playout like a lifetime movie.
Check out the full interview here:
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The NFL’s New Policy Tells Black People Their Lives Do Not Matter
It’s no secret that police brutality disproportionately affects the lives of people of color, specifically African Americans. So why does the NFL turn a blind eye? Deveney Marshall discusses how the NFL’s new policy tells black people their lives do not matter!
It’s no secret that police brutality disproportionately affects the lives of people of color, specifically African-American people. I can remember being a little girl and seeing police officers hanging around in high-risk crimes areas, I used to believe they were doing their jobs and protecting us from the bad people. Then I grew up, and realized just how oppressing this country is to all of its’ non-white citizens. I noticed police officers were not hanging in high crimes areas, but in areas that were highly populated with Black residents and they were looking for excuses to turn those people into yet another statistic.
For a very long time most people turned a blind-eye to this type of oppression. Then social media took over and people began to record the mishandlings done by police officers and upload them. After awhile it became difficult for non-believers to deny police brutality was a real problem in this country and the differences in how Black people were treated by the police compared to their racial counterparts.
Following the numerous killings of black people by the hands of police officers and no real justice being served for their murders, the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter was coined. People all around the world began to chant the phrase when yet another black person’s life was taken due to police brutality. However, the hashtag was not well met by everyone.
Once the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter became very popular due to social media and college activists, it was plagued with some heavy scrutiny. Ill-informed individuals felt as if the hashtag was anti-white and prioritized the lives of black people over everyone else. They critiqued the hashtag as creating more of a division than being the political statement against police brutality it was. Some even went as far as replacing the black in the hashtag with blue to show their support for officers, further proving they missed the entire point of the protest or just didn’t care.
After the countless displays of disrespect for Black people’s lives, on September 1st, 2016 Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, decided to take a knee during the national anthem to silently protest the police brutality taking place around the country. Although Kaepernick acted within his constitutional and civil right to protest as an American citizen, he was met with criticism that sparked a national debate about the right way to protest. Following the scrutiny Kaepernick’s received, he publicly spoke on why he felt the protest was necessary stating:
"I have great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country. I have family, I have friends that have gone and fought for this country. And they fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice, for everyone. That’s not happening. People are dying in vain because this country isn’t holding their end of the bargain up, as far as giving freedom and justice, liberty to everybody. That’s something that’s not happening. I’ve seen videos, I’ve seen circumstances where men and women that have been in the military have come back and been treated unjustly by the country they fought have for, and have been murdered by the country they fought for, on our land. That’s not right."
Still, after giving this concise statement, he was continuously met with negative remarks. Instead of the focus being on why he was kneeling in the the first place, the conversation became more centered around Kaepernick’s disrespect towards the flag and people in service. Criticizers made it their missions to misunderstand his protest, just as they did with the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag.
However, Kaepernick didn’t allow the criticism of his protest to stop him. He continued to kneel at every game for the entire 16/17 season. His political stance to stand-up to the wrong-doings of this country, sparked something in others that viewed this country the same way that he did. Other athletes began to take a knee, and after awhile the dialogue finally became about the real problem.
Following the 16/17 season, Kaepernick was released from the 49ers, and another team refused to sign him as a quarterback for the upcoming 17/18 season, which lead to an uproar of people everywhere deciding it was officially time to take a stand against not only this country’s mistreatment, but the inner-workings of it as well, like the NFL. Finally, NFL players made the collective decision to take a knee and join Kaepernick’s protest.
For the entire 17/18 season footballs players across the league participated in taking a knee, and some were even joined by their team owners as well. However, once again, the conversation steered away from why people were protesting and became more about the act of protesting itself. Critics of the #TakeAKnee movement argued football players had to no right to involve themselves in politics and to just “stick to football.” Some even went as far as to say football players weren’t intellectual enough to partake in such a layered conversation. Undermining the fact that many of these men are college educated and face adversities such as police brutality.
Once the 17/18 season was completed, and the NFL was gearing up for the upcoming 18/19 season, the league came to the agreement to put a policy in place to fine all football players who decided to take a knee on the field during the national anthem.
When the news broke that the NFL was putting this policy in place, I remember feeling so unbelievably upset. Taking a knee is probably one of the most peaceful ways a person could protest, yet it being chastised as if it was a violent act. The implementing of this policy spoke volumes about how the league viewed not only black lives, but the livelihoods of its’ many black players.
As I dissected why the NFL would enforce this policy, nothing truly substantial came to mind. All I could think about was how 1. This was a way for the league to capitalize on the pain of black people; 2. This was the league’s very coy way of saying “shut up, and just play ball; and 3. How all the above was just another way to reiterate to black people everywhere that our lives did not matter.
Often, this country tells black people in every way that our lives are not as valued as the lives of other races. Whether it’s subliminally with policies like this one that penalizes us for questioning our oppression or us being blatantly taunted and killed and never receiving justice for it, america makes it very clear where it stands. At this point as a black American I am downright “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Our existence as black people is not a burden. However, that is not how the NFL or the world sees it. Sadly enough, Black lives only matter if they are not compromising profits and the comforts of non-black people.
*Deveney Marshall is a New Orleans-based filmmaker, actress, and freelance writer. She runs the lifestyle & beauty website thedevandthecity.com . Follow her thoughts & life on twitter and IG: @devandthecity
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The NFL Is The New Sunken Place
Stand up or get fined. Shut up and play. Tell us how you really feel NFL. Where is the disconnect?
Aldon Smith is introduced by Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell as the seventh pick to the San Francisco 49ers at the NFL Draft 2011 at Radio City Music Hall in New York, NY.
Credit: Debby Wong via Shutterstock
The NFL, the National Football League, the field of dreams! Let's call it for what it is, it's the actual sunken place. The NFL as a corporation is trash. The commissioner, trash. The owners, super trash. And the President who endorses all the bs surrounding the league, is the garbage collector.
"You have to stand proudly for the National Anthem and the NFL owners did the right thing if that's what they've done," stated Trump in an interview with Fox News. "You have to stand proudly for the National Anthem or you shouldn't be playing. You shouldn't be there. Maybe you shouldn't be in the country."
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell instituted a new policy that will require NFL players to stand for the anthem or face fines, with the alternative option of staying in the locker room. This is the equivalent of shut up and play, and completely ignores the entire agenda of why players were kneeling in the first place.
Black players make up nearly 70 percent of the NFL. Out of 32 teams, there are only 8 black head coaches. Even more staggering is that out of 32 teams, there are ZERO black owners. So here lies the problem; black players are being used purely for entertainment purposes only and are a minority in terms of true leadership positions in the NFL. This new policy which is supported by the commissioner and its owners is a way to silence the voice of the players, and save face for the league which is trying to protect its fan base and finances.
This is all about money. The NFL tv ratings were down 9.7 percent in 2017, mainly due to fans being upset over players kneeling during the anthem. A policy such as this shows that the NFL truly has no loyalty to the players, no true integrity to American values and freedom of speech, and that they only care about ratings and money. It's a business, sure, but at what point do you begin to show respect for your employees?
At a time where racial tensions and issues are rising, black players have chosen to use their platform to bring awareness to social injustices in black communities, police brutality, and racial issues. Still, there are fans and obviously executives within the league who either can't comprehend what the protests are about, or simply just don't want to.
The NFL refuses to acknowledge the collective voice of its black players, so maybe it's time the black players ignored the NFL. What will it take for black players to truly take a stand and collectively sit out a few games until some real change is made, or is the paycheck that comes with playing more important than the stand they are trying to make? If even half the black players sat out for a game, there would be no game. How much of a backbone do you really have, players? Because clearly the league doesn't have one and they don't want you to have one either.
There are fans who still can't clearly comprehend the reason the players are protesting in the first place. But It’s not that they can’t comprehend it, they just refuse to acknowledge the reality behind the protests. The notion that they are there purely for entertainment and should protest on their own time is tone deaf. If the same issues were happening consistently in the white community, we wouldn’t be having these discussions.
Protests are not meant to be done at a specific time that’s convenient to certain, but meant to gather your attention. Black people never have a choice at a given time that they have to endure whatever problems they deal with, so the convenience of the players protesting by kneeling is unfortunate to some because it somehow messes up their "entertainment." Now let's be clear, we all love the entertainment factor that sports and football brings, but at the end of the day there are more important things in life which is what these players are trying to bring attention to.
Here’s the kicker, if black people started rioting in the streets and beating up police officers the way they beat us, shoot up schools the way these kids are doing now, we would be seen as animals. But they have merely chose to protest in a peaceful manner and it’s become a major deal. But still, there are people who have chosen to ignore the issues, but put their focus on the actual action of kneeling during the anthem, which is apparently disrespectful to them. Black people feeling disrespected is cool as long as they protest in a manner thats not disrespectful to you?
The NFL is already facing criticism for the poor product they put on the field as a result of new rule changes, and this new policy is only going to make it worse. Certain NFL players have begun to speak up on twitter and interviews, but is just simply speaking up enough?
The NFL has made its move, now what will you do? You still watching?
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Zahran Manley: Athlete Spotlight
Athlete Spotlight: Zahran Manley is one of the best high school football prospects in the country! Check out our exclusive interview with this rising young athlete out of California!
Zahran Manley is one of the best high school football prospects in the nation! The rising senior from Southern California is highly recruited and holds offers from several big time Universities including the University of Nevada, Missouri, Brigham Young, Boise State, Arizona State, and the University of California, Berkeley. This star recruit recently just committed to Cal and still has a season to play. Zahran is a scary prospect, and at 6'2 at cornerback, and it's easy to see why this kid is a 3 star prospect! Zahran currently plays at Upland High School and was Cal's first commitment in their 2019 class. Look for this kid to make an impact early and you might be hearing this name for a long time!
Check out Zahran's highlights here! http://www.hudl.com/video/3/7719654/59c16aff6e8bf9237c351408
We talked with Zahran Manley in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
Question: How did you get started playing your sport?
Manley: I began playing football my Freshman year of highschool. Soccer was my first sport. I played that for about 10 years until my 8th grade year.
Question: What advice would you give to young people looking to become great in their sport?
Manley: Honestly, your preparation for all sports is different, but whatever it is, just stay consistent with it. Be consistent with your preparation, especially in terms of your diet, training and working out
Question: Who are some of your biggest influences/players in your sport that you've grown up watching?
Manley: I really enjoy watching Jalen Ramsey play. I enjoy watching his technique and I watch a lot of his film.
Question: What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?
Manley: Getting beat on a certain route, and letting the receiver catch the ball on me. I just try and figure out what it was on that play that I did wrong, especially in terms of technique.
Question: What motivates you?
Manley: I like being dominant on the field, and I want to be the best at my position. I want to prove that I’m the best.
Question: What are some of your goals for the upcoming season?
Manley: My goals for this upcoming season is to be a more dominant cornerback. I want to make bigger plays, become a more natural tackler, and turn my pass breakups into interceptions.
Question: How do you define success?
Manley: I define success as becoming the best at what you enjoy doing.
Question: What is your greatest athletic accomplishment?
Manley: My greatest athletic accomplishment is probably earning an offer to my dream school, The University of California, Berkeley, and deciding to continue my athletic and academic career there.
Question: Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful athlete?
Manley: Consistency in preparation and taking proper care of your body.
Question: Who is your greatest inspiration?
Manley: I’d say my Mom and Dad because of their work ethic and all that they do to provide for their family.
Question: What is your favorite aspect of being an athlete?
Manley: My favorite aspect is seeing all the hard work pay off during the game.
Question: What is some of the music that you listen to to get ready for games?
Manley: A lot of rap music. Migos, Future, etc.
Question: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Manley: I see myself as a successful student athlete, who after my time in college is done, has as chance at playing in the NFL.
Question: How do you maintain being one of the best athletes in your sport?
Manley: I am very coachable, and I enjoy learning about the position. I am also very competitive. I watch a lot of film, and I train with the best coaches and enjoy working on my craft.
Question: Why is playing a sport so important to you?
Manley: I’ve always played sports since I was young. It’s important to me because it’s something I really enjoy doing. It’s a great avenue to direct my competitive energy towards.
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Jemele Hill: Public Enemy Number One
Jemele Hill, America’s biggest sports villain outside of Colin Kaepernick. Call her what you want, some may say hero, some may say she’s race baiting, but nonetheless she has caught the eyes of some of America’s most powerful people.
It takes a lot of courage to speak out in a public platform and express your political beliefs. But with great power comes greater responsibility. In a time where political expression and racial discussion have become touchy subjects, you almost have to tip toe around what to say in the media. In a time where people are becoming fed up with racial issues and are ready for change (or not), the effects of disunity have spilled over into one of America’s most unifying mediums; the sports world. That leaves us with Jemele Hill, America’s biggest sports villain outside of Colin Kaepernick.
Call her what you want, some may say hero, some may say she’s race baiting, but nonetheless she has caught the eyes of some of America’s most powerful people. When the President takes time out of his “busy” schedule to personally tweet about you (you know, the same schedule that should have him occupied with North Korea, Puerto Rico and Houston), then you know you've done something powerful. Hill expressed her personal view on Donald Trump by calling him a white supremacist and this sparked major controversy, many calling for her to be fired. This time, in the wake of Jerry Jones telling players he will bench them if they don't stand for the flag, Hill hinted to fans a possible boycott of the team.
In a series of tweets, Hill stated “If you strongly reject what Jerry Jones said, the key is his advertisers. Don't place the burden squarely on the players. Just so we're clear: I'm not advocating a NFL boycott. But an unfair burden has been put on players in Dallas & Miami w/ anthem directives.”
These tweets led to ESPN suspending Hill for two weeks and released this statement:
“Jemele Hill has been suspended for two weeks for a second violation of our social media guidelines. She previously acknowledged letting her colleagues and company down with an impulsive tweet. In the aftermath, all employees were reminded of how individual tweets may reflect negatively on ESPN and that such actions would have consequences. Hence this decision.”
With the suspension in place, Donald Trump responded by saying “With Jemele Hill at the mike, it is no wonder ESPN ratings have ‘tanked,’ in fact, tanked so badly it is the talk of the industry!” It’s safe to say that when you go after the President and a billion dollar industry (NFL), you can expect some type of backlash.
For Hill to speak out on the President is one thing, but speaking out on the NFL and hinting at a possible boycott of games which are shown on the same network you work for is a major issue that ESPN felt they had to address. Words can be hurtful, but when you start messing with money, thats when actions start to take place, hence the suspension.
And that is exactly what all of this boils down too. Not the protests. Not the actual issues involved with the protests. Not personal belief. But money. I’m sure ESPN and the NFL would be okay with the voicing of opinions if it didn't directly affect their money, but since viewership is down and certain fans are disgruntled, the higher powers feel they needed to appease the masses. But where does this leave Jemele Hill?
As an African-American employee of ESPN, where the company has already stated they don't want to hear your personal views while you're working for them, I would imagine it being pretty difficult to come to work everyday knowing you cant really say how you feel. “Stick to sports and not politics” is basically the motto being passed around in 2017. But in all of this, there is a huge level of hypocrisy from the President, the NFL, and ESPN.
The President can tweet about his disgust for Jemele Hill and her opinions but can keep his job with no sanctions, but if Hill tweets something negative about Trump she gets backlash. ESPN can cover multiple stories on protests, but as soon Hill speaks against the NFL, then comes suspension. One could argue as an employee of a major company, it might be wrong to post tweets that could possibly influence people a certain way, but you should also ask “what if she’s right?”
Are there really racial issues that need to be dealt with or are we living in lala land and pretending like they don't exist, because according to Bears legend Mike Ditka, they don’t. Ditka stated:
"All of a sudden, it's become a big deal now, about oppression. There has been no oppression in the last 100 years that I know of. Now maybe I'm not watching it as carefully as other people. I think the opportunity is there for everybody…If you want to work, if you want to try, if you want to put effort into yourself, I think you can accomplish anything.”
Is this the era of sit down and shut up and just go to work like everything is all good? Anytime racial issues are brought into discussion, especially with sports, it makes people uncomfortable. It makes people uncomfortable for people to come to terms with the fact that the President just might be a white supremacist. It makes people uncomfortable to bring up discussions about the national anthem and the flag as the reasons for protests fall on deaf and ignorant ears. No matter how many times it has been expressed that the reason for protest is not an attempt at disrespecting the flag and anthem, certain fans still won’t listen. No matter how many times a military vet comes forward to say they support the protests, certain fans will still make it about military even though they themselves have never come close to fighting for this country.
Jemele Hill, despite being on the sports most wanted list, despite fans calling for her job, still has a job and still has a voice and we are still left with the issues at hand. So what’s next?
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SOB’s and Hypocrites: The State of the NFL
If anyone were to give a state of the NFL address, this could accurately describe the current state of one of America’s most popular sports.
RODGER MALLISON / FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM - Dallas Cowboys Take a Knee Before The Anthem
“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when someone disrespects our flag to say, `Get that son of a bitch off the field right now! Out. He’s fired! He’s fired!” This controversial statement did not come from an angry fan…but from the President of the United States. If anyone were to give a state of the NFL address, this could accurately describe the current state of one of America’s most popular sports.
The NFL has already been surrounded by controversy with NFL players causing media frenzy with protest demonstrations during the national anthem drawing mixed feelings amongst fans across the country. So much has been going on that people are beginning to forget what Colin Kaepernick’s original protest was all about. Kaepernick’s original protest was to bring attention to police brutality, and inequalities in black communities. Kaepernick has been virtually blackballed by every team in the NFL because of this and continues to remain unemployed. Now let’s take a look at some of the NFL’s biggest hypocrites and phonies.
Donald Trump’s statement about the player protests sparked rage across the league, so much so that just about every team had players displaying some type of protest during or before the national anthem. Where were all these protests when Kaepernick was catching fire for his views? It took for the President of the United States to call players SOB’s for teams and owners to make statements and protests against the President. But the protests were just that, they were against the President and not for the cause of social justice or any other issue plaguing the black community.
Dez Bryant, Hypocrite. When asked about his initial stance on the kneeling during the anthem, Bryant stated “Whatever they got going on with that, that’s them...I don’t really have nothing to say about that.” Dez Bryant wanted no parts of showing Kaepernick’s protest support but as soon as the President says something disrespectful, I guess it is okay to kneel now. What exactly are you protesting Dez?
Ray Lewis, Hypocrite. Ray Lewis was very clear in telling Kaepernick to stick to sports and keep his social activism off the field. But after the President’s comments, he was seen not taking just one knee, but two knees! “I dropped on two knees, both knees, so I could simply honor God in the midst of chaos,” Lewis said trying to clarify his position on his actions. Shannon Sharpe, a former teammate of Lewis was extremely bothered by his actions and called him out on it:
“Ray Lewis sat in that chair right there and said that he could never kneel,” Sharpe said. “He could never not stand for the national anthem, because so many people died, and he had family members that fight for this country for the opportunity — and the flag means so much to him. And he kneeled. Not on one knee, on both knees. So what were you kneeling for? You kneeled, you showed solidarity, because of what President Trump said? And when Colin Kaepernick is trying to draw attention to the injustices going on, you deem that inappropriate?.”
Sharpe brought attention to the issue of phony protests and called a spade a spade.
Jerry Jones, Hypocrite. Out of all the NFL’s biggest phonies this weekend, Jerry Jones takes the cake. “I do not think the place to express yourself in society is as we recognize the American flag” Jones stated, “So that’s not the place to do anything other than honor the flag and everybody that’s given up a little bit for it.” Once again, it took a controversial statement from the Commander in Chief for Jerry Jones to get down on a knee before the anthem to make a protest. What are you protesting Jerry Jones? Jerry Jones is a business man and this move of kneeling before the anthem was solely to make a statement disregarding the President’s comments.
So which one of these kneeling owners will hire Kaepernick now that he is not the only protester? Crickets.
NFL owners have been very reluctant to sign Kaepernick, but it almost seems as though it has nothing to do with talent. No team wants to deal with the media frenzy that comes with signing Kaepernick. One could argue that by signing Kaepernick, that team or owner would be making a political statement by having him apart of the team, and it is very clear, that the owners do not sit well with Kaepernick’s views.
Somewhere in the midst of all of this, fans of the NFL have forgotten what the purpose of Kaepernick was for. Instead of seeing players speak out on justices, we are seeing teams make statements directed toward the President. The NFL has turned into a political spectacle and instead of tuning into the games, fans are more interested in seeing what the players will do before the game.
The issues still stand; what about police brutality? What about the injustices people of color deal with on a daily basis? These issues have taken a backseat because the President has effectively turned the focus away them and pointed the fans focus in a direction that makes people believe they are being disrespectful to military and the flag. The same flag that is supposed to stand for peace and equality for all Americans. The same military that fights for the rights of all Americans to have freedom of speech and peaceful protest. Maybe if Kaepernick had led a march with NFL players carrying torches, the President might be calling the players “very fine people.”
Kaepernick’s demonstration during the national anthem seemed to have brought out “protest experts” from all over the country. Instead of worrying about the actual issues Kaepernick protested, the biggest issue has been how he did it. The whole point of protest is to make people uncomfortable so the point can get across. Needless to say, whether you agree with how he did it or not, Kaepernick was extremely successful in getting his point across because here we are a year later, still talking about it. At the very least, we are starting to have the discussions that people of color have been trying to have for year. Virtually, Kaepernick sacrificed his career to be a voice for the people who have no voice. The issues he is fighting for may not be resolved at this point in time, but the fact that they are being brought to the surface for all Americans to see is progress itself.
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Queen of the Hill…Shame on You ESPN
Jemele Hill did not shy away from sharing her personal views in a series of tweets that made ESPN feel like they had to do damage control and distance themselves from Hill’s personal views.
Bruce Yeung/Getty Images - Jemele Hill
“The comments on Twitter from Jemele Hill regarding the President do not represent the position of ESPN. We have addressed this with Jemele and she recognizes her actions were inappropriate.” This was the statement ESPN released after Jemele Hill, the co-host of the 6 p.m. broadcast of SportsCenter made some controversial statements about President Trump from her twitter account. Hill did not shy away from sharing her personal views in a series of tweets that made ESPN feel like they had to do damage control and distance themselves from Hill’s personal views.
Hill stated “Donald Trump is a white supremacist who has largely surrounded himself w/ other white supremacists.” Hill also went on to tweet “Donald Trump is a bigot. Glad you could live with voting for him. I couldn't, because I cared about more than just myself…I hate a lot of things but not enough to jeopardize my fellow citizens with an unfit, bigoted, incompetent moron. But hey, that's just me.” Hill as an African American woman sports anchor is in a class of her own, as their are not many black anchor women who hold the platform of hosting a primetime sports show.
Hill caused uproar on Twitter with these statements as many people felt outraged and began demanding that Hill be fired from ESPN. Her comments even rubbed officials wrong in the White House as White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders stated in a press conference “That’s one of the more outrageous comments that anyone could make and certainly something that I think is a fireable offense by ESPN.” Jemele Hill should be fired for making a statement about the President on her own personal platform? Interesting to see that as a country we are moving to an era of censorship where speaking on your political views is a “fireable offense.”
The White House has done a poor job addressing some of country’s latest racial issues, especially after President Trump faced major backlash for how he responded to the events at Charlottesville. Jemele Hill using her platform to address the issues of the White House employing known White Supremacists and facing backlash for it just further strengthens the argument that there are still racial agendas that have yet to be addressed. Many people have felt the need to sweep racial issues under the rug as if they do not still exist, but major athletes and sports figures have been using their platforms more and more and this seems to make people uncomfortable.
Should politics be left outside of sports? That is the message that ESPN relayed to Jemele Hill, basically saying that her political views have no place here as an ESPN employee. Instead of stating that they support Hill in having her own political views, which Hill did state were hers and not of ESPN, they went out of there way to make a public statement to say that her statement was inappropriate. So what is appropriate ESPN?
As if being a minority at this time where racial tension is at high is not hard enough, being a black woman with a voice on national television has even more difficulties. Last month during an SI Media Panel, Hill stated-
“I have to talk myself out of sending certain tweets several times a day,” Hill told SI. “When you're under the leadership of a President that refuses to condemn Nazis and racism, how am I supposed to function the rest of the day and pretend as if I give a sh*t about Blake Bortles losing his job? That's the conversation I'm having with myself on daily basis. I know there are sports fans looking for me to provide them with an ‘escape,’ but as a woman and person of color, I have no escape from the fact that there are people in charge who seem to be either sickened by my existence or are intent on erasing my dignity in every possible way. So today, my feed is probably a little edgier than it was. It's reflective of all the emotion and conflict I feel. I think others feel the same way.”
The issues that Hill addresses may rub people the wrong way but at the end of the day they too have the right to not follow her on twitter or watch her show. The right to practice personal discretion for viewers is just as important as public figures having the right to express personal views and bring attention to issues that are clearly plaguing this country. Whether Hill’s statement about Trump being a white supremacist or racist is true or not, it is personal opinion and nowhere near a fireable offense. Maybe the fans and White House executives should concern themselves with actual issues rather than be outraged over what one woman says on her twitter page or when another athlete takes a knee for social injustices.
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