At today's meeting between @NFLPA reps & @NFL execs/owners, I plan to share this viral video of @RepBetoORourke being asked if NFL players kneeling is disrespectful. The tone he sets makes me proud to be a Texan & gives me hope that a productive dialogue is possible [THREAD]
Imagine if the @NFL’s first response to @Kaepernick7’s protest acknowledged the phenomenon that was unfolding was “a very tough issue that if we don’t talk about, will not get any better”
They would have been correct. Perhaps its not too late.
What if owners adopted a leadership posture, recognizing “reasonable people can disagree on this issue” instead of viewing player protests as a threat.
What if owners adopted a leadership posture, recognizing “reasonable people can disagree on this issue” instead of viewing player protests as a threat.
What if there instead, there was an opportunity to confront injustice practically because again, "it's not going to fix itself”
We don’t have to accept the epidemic of unarmed black humans being murdered. We don’t have to accept the narrative that “players are protesting the anthem” (See: @CBS). We don’t have to accept the fact that @Kaepernick7 & @E_Reid35 are not on a roster despite their proven talent.
There are sustainable solutions to the injustices that players continue to peacefully, non-violently highlight with their protests. And as @RepBetoORourke said, we’re frustrated with those in positions of public trust & power who have been unable to resolve these issues.
I'm looking forward to today's meeting in NYC. I believe this face to face conversation is pivotal & will determine if meaningful progress will be made. Critically, I hope we can stop avoiding the conversation that @RepBetoORourke so eloquently encouraged us to have. Stay tuned!
