Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion:
Twitter has been afire today with the controversy about Stephen Curry going to the White House and reactions to President Trump’s speech in Alabama.
During President Trump’s speech at a rally for Luther Strange (R-AL), he addressed the growing trend among NFL players to kneel disrespectfully during the national anthem. Trump asked, ““Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say ‘get that son of a b***h off the field right now – he’s fired’?”.
Most people hearing or reading this comment recognize that the president is referring to the disrespectful kneeling “protest” that involves football (and other sports) players deliberately taking a knee during the national anthem.
The Warriors’ Stephen Curry hesitated when asked about whether he would attend the White House celebration, and Trump responded by rescinding the invitation to Curry.
Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team.Stephen Curry is hesitating,therefore invitation is withdrawn!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain't going! So therefore ain't no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 23, 2017
The left, as always, hears RAAACISM not patriotism in the president’s comments. They are subsequently completely unhinged in their response to their own fevered and deliberate misinterpretation of Trump’s comments.
Then-49er Colin Kaepernick who started this disturbing trend in response to the short-lived Black Lives Matter explained his rationale last year to NFL Media.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
The resulting controversy was explosive, and Kaepernick has had trouble finding a new team since leaving the 49ers.
Since then, more and more players have started kneeling for the anthem, including at least one white player.
The president’s comments, reflective of a lot of Americans’ thoughts on the issue, were received as racist apparently because the majority of NFL players who take a knee during the anthem are black or brown. Therefore, according to leftist logic, any criticism of these players’ actions is not about the players’ actions at all; it has to be—can only be—about their race.
The NFL issued the following statement:
New NFL statement pic.twitter.com/XHPgVvPPfH
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) September 23, 2017
Just so we are all clear: it is not disrespectful or divisive to take a knee during the national anthem, but it is disrespectful and divisive to speak out against it.
Trump isn't taking on NBA/NFL.
He's going after black athletes.More effective for the base.
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) September 23, 2017
Trump has now attacked Jemele Hill, Colin Kaepernick, & Stephen Curry. All have something in common but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
— Ryan Lizza (@RyanLizza) September 23, 2017
People Trump has angrily attacked in the last few days:
1. Jemele Hill
2. Colin Kaepernick
3. Steph Curry
Notice a trend?
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) September 23, 2017
Ah yes, because Trump never attacks white people. Or something.
Trump has now attacked Jim Acosta, Mika Brzezinski, and Chris Cuomo. All have something in common, but that doesn't fit this narrative.
— Razor (@hale_razor) September 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/Chet_Cannon/status/911645285050458114
Washington Redskins’ linebacker Zach Brown makes a potentially arguable point, that football has nothing to do with the President.
Trump stay in ur place… football have nothing to do wit u smh
— Zach Brown (@ZachBrown_55) September 23, 2017
For the point to stand, however, it has to work both ways. Football is no place for political protests, either.