It would seem that scandalous events are now part and parcel of every football season of the last few years. But this season’s current scandal has reached an all-time low, and it’s making people (at least myself) question how we go about protesting issues within our country.
During week six of the NFL season, the nation watched on live television (and in disbelief) as Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers kneeled during the playing of the national anthem. In my short history, I can’t remember a time this has ever happened. As the granddaughter of a lifetime military veteran, this blew me away.
In the interviews following that game, Kaepernick stated that he was protesting the unjust and cruel treatment of African-Americans by police. The young quarterback said he will stand when he feels the national anthem represents everyone in the country equally. This singular move of solidarity has now inspired 17 other players to protest in the same fashion: Players from the Miami Dolphins, 49ers, and Denver Broncos have begun kneeling during the national anthem as well.
I don’t normally touch on political issues in my column because oftentimes people heavily misinterpret my words. Truthfully, I have avoided politics altogether since the tangerine tornado and his whacked-out hair (aka Donald Trump) started his run for the presidency. However, given that youth football players have now taken up the same act of protest (kneeling during the national anthem) I feel that it’s an issue that needs to be addressed.
Let me start by saying that although I am Caucasian, I can and do sympathize with the frustrations of the African-American people in our nation. In a recent speech President Obama said that African-Americans are 30 percent more likely to be pulled over than white people, and are more likely to be searched and/or shot by police than individuals from other cultures. Not to mention, African-Americans make up a disproportionate amount of our prison population. I also don’t see how people can reasonably deny that the amount of unwarranted police violence against African-Americans has increased in the last two to three years. Regardless of semantics, violence, or political views, African-Americans are enduring unreasonable violence.
Without a doubt, we are a country that is currently dealing with a tremendous amount of social inequality, violence, racial injustice, and bigotry. However, my question for those kneeling during the anthem is this: Is the American flag responsible for these social injustices? The answer is no: It’s a select group of people who have perpetuated these issues.
The bottom line is this: The American flag (represented through the national anthem) is an enduring symbol of our nation. It stands for the selfless sacrifice of those who fought and continue to fight and die to protect the rights and freedoms we enjoy in our country. It stands for police, firefighters, and other rescue workers who risk their lives to protect their fellow citizens. It’s a symbol of sacrifice that has been made by members of each of the cultures that reside in the United States.
Think of it this way football players: The words to the song that you won’t stand for, tell about those who have died or sacrificed in some way to give you the right to play America’s game (and be paid stupid amounts of money for it too), and to exercise your freedom of speech. Every day you are allowed to exercise freedoms that are represented by the American flag.
By kneeling during the national anthem, you are supporting further divide among the people of our nation—which is a direct contradiction of the unity that the flag represents. You have created two different camps on this issue, and rather than bringing attention to the bigotry in America, people are wasting their time arguing the meaning and justification of your kneeling actions.
As a youth coach and American citizen, I can’t support this type of protest. The right to protest is part of our inherent rights provided within the Constitution. But there is a difference between disrespectful and respectful protest. Secondly, you are modeling disrespectful behavior for youth who look up to and admire you. Protesting in this way only causes further misunderstanding, does nothing to help our racial issues, and divides us as a nation.
There have to be other ways that you can protest that will not divide our nation any further. I am all for standing up for what you believe in, but not if it makes the problem 10 times worse.
But what do I know? I am just a Benchwarmer.
Run to remember
The annual Run to Remember will be held for the seventh year at the Santa Maria High School football/track field on Friday, Nov. 11, from 5 a.m. to midnight.
The 19-hour run commemorates the 19 Marines of the 3rd Battalion 5th Marines Regiment who were killed during the September 2004 to April 2005 tour of Operation Iraqi Freedom. However, the main objective of Run to Remember is to honor all fallen heroes from past and present wars as people of all ages run or walk a mile in their memory.
The event begins at 5 a.m. with a short opening ceremony. Each person who walks or runs may select the picture and bio of a fallen hero to read and remember during their walk; or they may bring a picture of their own loved one. An added activity this year is the 22 Push-ups Challenge scheduled for 2:22 p.m. to bring awareness to the high number of daily veteran suicide losses.
The event is free. All donations will be accepted for Fisher House Foundation, which provides free or low-cost lodging to veterans and military families while their loved ones are receiving treatment.
The event organizer, Monica Díaz, whose son was one of the 19 Marines killed in Iraq, invites the public to come out at any time during the event to help honor those fallen heroes and to help support veterans and their families. For more informaiotn email mamademarinero@msn.com.
Finding a place to play
Sports enthusiasts in the Santa Maria Valley have long faced one major hurdle: a lack of sports fields. The city may soon have a solution. A Multi-Sports Use Field Committee was set to meet Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center to discuss the topic and collect input from the community.
The anticipated agenda included processing and scheduling of meetings, review of potential committee candidates, review of proposed complex design, possible grant opportunities, and the creation of a timeline for an action plan to report on at December’s city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Commission meeting.
The scheduled meeting is part of a larger effort to address the city’s shortage of playing fields. In March, the City Council identified the need to address inadequate city facilities, specifically a sports complex, as one of its priorities. On Sept. 13 the city’s Recreation and Parks Commission held a public hearing regarding the public’s interest and support for a field sports complex. The commission heard comments from many members of the community regarding the lack of practice and game space needed for a variety of sports, with soccer being the leading group. The need for a regional facility at one location instead of several was expressed. After hearing from the public, the commission designated two commissioners and staff as a committee. This committee will be augmented with members of the community with an interest in sports fields at the committee’s discretion.
On Oct. 18 the City Council approved allowing city staff to apply for a $1 million state grant to develop more soccer fields.
For more information, call the Recreation and Parks Department at 925-0951, Ext. 2260.
Send comments to The Benchwarmer and sports info to Editor Shelly Cone at scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Oct 27 – Nov 3, 2016.