Thoughts on Brees Anthem Remarks and Apology: Coming from a guy that still serves (1 Viewer)

[DerrickB]

It is coming from someone that still serves and has a combined total of 15 years of service, both active and reserve. I am also an African American. I honestly believe that Drew Brees does not understand what it's like to be a minority in this country. I wasn't upset by Kaepernick taking a knee for the flag because that's the beauty of serving so that Americans can peacefully protest for the causes that they believe in. I was a bit disappointed in what Brees said, but as I previously mentioned, he does not understand the struggles of the African American community. I know folks that he's 41-years old and he should know what's going on. But if you don't know, then you don't know.

I read the apology on IG, and it seems sincere, but from here on out, he needs to take a step back right now and listen; that's it. I believe that this could be a massive moment of growth for one of America's top athletes and could have a huge impact on racial equality. Overall, I am not up and arms about his comments yesterday because I move to the beat of my own drum and not waiting on an athlete and their platforms to show me that they care about what's going on in the world regardless if they are black or white. Right now I am trying to figure out what I can do better for my community. I hope that this does not get taken down because I enjoy coming to this forum to share my content; that's on my blog on this great team.

 

[WhoDatWayne66]

Thank you sir for your awesome service and your insight/thoughts. I truly believe this can be used as a learning moment and movement in the right direction.

 

[fishing4food]

I've served 24 years and I'm also a member of the VFW with Combat Vietnam Veterans. We do have issues with kneeling for the Flag. The color of my skin is also irrelevant

 

[blackadder]

It is coming from someone that still serves and has a combined total of 15 years of service, both active and reserve. I am also an African American. I honestly believe that Drew Brees does not understand what it's like to be a minority in this country. I wasn't upset by Kaepernick taking a knee for the flag because that's the beauty of serving so that Americans can peacefully protest for the causes that they believe in. I was a bit disappointed in what Brees said, but as I previously mentioned, he does not understand the struggles of the African American community. I know folks that he's 41-years old and he should know what's going on. But if you don't know, then you don't know.

I read the apology on IG, and it seems sincere, but from here on out, he needs to take a step back right and listen; that's it. I believe that this could be a massive moment of growth for one of America's top athletes and could have a huge impact on racial equality. Overall, I am not up and arms about his comments yesterday because I move to the beat of my own drum and not waiting on an athlete and their platforms to show me that they care about what's going on in the world regardless if they are black or white. Right now I am trying to figure out what I can do better for my community. I hope that this does not get taken down because I enjoy coming to this forum to share my content; that's on my blog on this great team.

Thank you for being what I would call a Great American.

 

[DerrickB]

I've served 24 years and I'm also a member of the VFW with Combat Vietnam Veterans. We do have issues with kneeling for the Flag. The color of my skin is also irrelevant

I can respect that

 

[Swimmer]

It is coming from someone that still serves and has a combined total of 15 years of service, both active and reserve. I am also an African American. I honestly believe that Drew Brees does not understand what it's like to be a minority in this country. I wasn't upset by Kaepernick taking a knee for the flag because that's the beauty of serving so that Americans can peacefully protest for the causes that they believe in. I was a bit disappointed in what Brees said, but as I previously mentioned, he does not understand the struggles of the African American community. I know folks that he's 41-years old and he should know what's going on. But if you don't know, then you don't know.

I read the apology on IG, and it seems sincere, but from here on out, he needs to take a step back right and listen; that's it. I believe that this could be a massive moment of growth for one of America's top athletes and could have a huge impact on racial equality. Overall, I am not up and arms about his comments yesterday because I move to the beat of my own drum and not waiting on an athlete and their platforms to show me that they care about what's going on in the world regardless if they are black or white. Right now I am trying to figure out what I can do better for my community. I hope that this does not get taken down because I enjoy coming to this forum to share my content; that's on my blog on this great team.

Coming from a man of color, I think you wrote this beautifully. Thank you. And unless Drew is having some mid life crisis, he will grow from this. Brees will make this a mission to better understand the plight of the underprivileged and discriminated. We should judge a man by his heart and his lifetime of work. And his lifetime of work is saving an entire region devastated physically and emotionally by the worst storm to wipe out part of America's shores.

 

[SammyIsGod]

Well said, and thank you for your service.

 

[sfidc3]

Thank you for your service, I couldn't agree with you more.....

 

[Infoman]

I served for 8 years... Whenever a soldier under my care / command would have a difference of opinion with me, or questioned my decisions, motives, words, or actions based on principle... I would always tell them the same thing.... "Even if we don't share the same values, or agree completely with what one another says - I will defend to the death your right to value what you value, and say what you want to say - because that's what we, as soldiers, are here to fight for".

It saddens me how far away we have gotten from that frame of mind as a Nation...

Hooah!

 

[ndcc]

I served for a little over 27yrs active duty (Aug '74 - Jan '02). I am also Black, and have personally encountered Colored v. White water fountains as a child growing up in New Orleans.

While on active duty, I've accompanied a flag-draped coffin from Europe back to the United States, and I have also participated in a burial at sea ceremony.

The above info, while it may be enlightening to the reader, does not add credibility to what I am about to say:

When you kneel during the National Anthem, you are disrespecting the flag of the United States: Period.

I know that many are maintaining that Colin Kaepernick said it has nothing to do with the flag; it's all about protesting police brutality. On the surface, the casual reader/listener may go along with that. But that argument falls flat because the action of kneeling only happens when the National Anthem is played. Just because you "SAY" it has nothing to do with the flag... does not negate the significance of the ACTION of kneeling while the anthem is played. Again, because the action of kneeling always coincides with the playing of the National Anthem underscores the fact that it's about the flag and what it represents.

Anyone who doesn't think it's about the flag is oblivious to the fact that the flag (i.e.: our "national colors") are paraded/presented on the field by the Color Guard at each game.

Think about what would happen if someone chose to remain seated, or kneels... while:

* the bride enters the chapel, or
* when the judge enters the courtroom, or
* when a casket is being wheeled out of the church at a funeral, or
* when a commanding officer enters a space where military personnel under his/her charge are present.

The action of STANDING whenever you're present at any of the above instances is a sign of respect, plain and simple. It has NOTHING TO DO WITH whether or not you like what you're witnessing, or if you choose that event to "make a statement" about societal ills. If you choose to do so (i.e.: not stand at the ceremonially appropriate time), you're disrespecting the event... and you undermine and partially discredit the cause for which you say you're representing.

As you no doubt know, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution covers more than one protection:

a) Freedom of SPEECH
b) Freedom of RELIGION
c) Freedom to PETITION
d) Freedom of ASSEMBLY
e) Freedom of the PRESS

Although we are afforded all of these rights, we must exercise DISCRETION when we choose to do so. If individuals want to protest police brutality, it is their Constitutional right, and no one can arbitrarily take it away. However when we assert our perceived rights at a time and place that is inappropriate, the cause for which say we are defending is tarnished in the process.

Peace, out.

 

[DerrickB]

I served for a little over 27yrs active duty (Aug '74 - Jan '02). I am also Black, and have personally encountered Colored v. White water fountains as a child growing up in New Orleans.

While on active duty, I've accompanied a flag-draped coffin from Europe back to the United States, and I have also participated in a burial at sea ceremony.

The above info, while it may be enlightening to the reader, does not add credibility to what I am about to say:

When you kneel during the National Anthem, you are disrespecting the flag of the United States: Period.

I know that many are maintaining that Colin Kaepernick said it has nothing to do with the flag; it's all about protesting police brutality. On the surface, the casual reader/listener may go along with that. But that argument falls flat because the action of kneeling only happens when the National Anthem is played. Just because you "SAY" it has nothing to do with the flag... does not negate the significance of the ACTION of kneeling while the anthem is played. Again, because the action of kneeling always coincides with the playing of the National Anthem underscores the fact that it's about the flag and what it represents.

Anyone who doesn't think it's about the flag is oblivious to the fact that the flag (i.e.: our "national colors") are paraded/presented on the field by the Color Guard at each game.

Think about what would happen if someone chose to remain seated, or kneels... while:

* the bride enters the chapel, or
* when the judge enters the courtroom, or
* when a casket is being wheeled out of the church at a funeral, or
* when a commanding officer enters a space where military personnel under his/her charge are present.

The action of STANDING whenever you're present at any of the above instances is a sign of respect, plain and simple. It has NOTHING TO DO WITH whether or not you like what you're witnessing, or if you choose that event to "make a statement" about societal ills. If you choose to do so, you're disrespecting the event... and you undermine and partially discredit the cause for which you say you're representing.

As you no doubt know, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution covers more than one protection:

a) Freedom of SPEECH
b) Freedom of RELIGION
c) Freedom to PETITION
d) Freedom of ASSEMBLY
e) Freedom of the PRESS

Although we are afforded all of these rights, we must exercise DISCRETION when we choose to do so. If individuals want to protest police brutality, it is their Constitutional right, and no one can arbitrarily take it away. However when we assert our perceived rights at a time and place that is inappropriate, the cause for which say we are defending is tarnished in the process.

Peace, out.

I can respect that.

 

[livefromDC]

I've served 24 years and I'm also a member of the VFW with Combat Vietnam Veterans. We do have issues with kneeling for the Flag. The color of my skin is also irrelevant

Privilege allows the color of your skin to be irrelevant.

Queue the troll post in 5, 4, 3,...

 

[Superfan]

Privilege allows the color of your skin to be irrelevant.

Queue the troll post in 5, 4, 3,...

Lol. Yea that’s the ticket. When you walk around looking to be a victim you will achieve it. The mind will manifest anything.

 

[Infoman]

I served for a little over 27yrs active duty (Aug '74 - Jan '02). I am also Black, and have personally encountered Colored v. White water fountains as a child growing up in New Orleans.

While on active duty, I've accompanied a flag-draped coffin from Europe back to the United States, and I have also participated in a burial at sea ceremony.

The above info, while it may be enlightening to the reader, does not add credibility to what I am about to say:

When you kneel during the National Anthem, you are disrespecting the flag of the United States: Period.

I know that many are maintaining that Colin Kaepernick said it has nothing to do with the flag; it's all about protesting police brutality. On the surface, the casual reader/listener may go along with that. But that argument falls flat because the action of kneeling only happens when the National Anthem is played. Just because you "SAY" it has nothing to do with the flag... does not negate the significance of the ACTION of kneeling while the anthem is played. Again, because the action of kneeling always coincides with the playing of the National Anthem underscores the fact that it's about the flag and what it represents.

Anyone who doesn't think it's about the flag is oblivious to the fact that the flag (i.e.: our "national colors") are paraded/presented on the field by the Color Guard at each game.

Think about what would happen if someone chose to remain seated, or kneels... while:

* the bride enters the chapel, or
* when the judge enters the courtroom, or
* when a casket is being wheeled out of the church at a funeral, or
* when a commanding officer enters a space where military personnel under his/her charge are present.

The action of STANDING whenever you're present at any of the above instances is a sign of respect, plain and simple. It has NOTHING TO DO WITH whether or not you like what you're witnessing, or if you choose that event to "make a statement" about societal ills. If you choose to do so (i.e.: not stand at the ceremonially appropriate time), you're disrespecting the event... and you undermine and partially discredit the cause for which you say you're representing.

As you no doubt know, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution covers more than one protection:

a) Freedom of SPEECH
b) Freedom of RELIGION
c) Freedom to PETITION
d) Freedom of ASSEMBLY
e) Freedom of the PRESS

Although we are afforded all of these rights, we must exercise DISCRETION when we choose to do so. If individuals want to protest police brutality, it is their Constitutional right, and no one can arbitrarily take it away. However when we assert our perceived rights at a time and place that is inappropriate, the cause for which say we are defending is tarnished in the process.

Peace, out.

Well said... and thanks for serving.... and sharing your experiences and wisdom.

 

[livefromDC]

Lol. Yea that’s the ticket. When you walk around looking to be a victim you will achieve it. The mind will manifest anything.

It has to sucked to be so privileged and still be so miserable in life. LOL