Before I jump offline to finish this, brief thread incoming:
Let’s talk MLK day and forgotten American history: how some states had to be forced to observe it.
Might surprise you that the story doesn’t take place in the old south, and the NFL played a key role.
Let’s talk MLK day and forgotten American history: how some states had to be forced to observe it.
Might surprise you that the story doesn’t take place in the old south, and the NFL played a key role.
https://twitter.com/msentropy/status/1350635442052296706
Why did MLK Day become a thing?
Well, one reason - of course - has to do with white supremacy, political violence, and the Aryan Nations.
The year: 1984.
Well, one reason - of course - has to do with white supremacy, political violence, and the Aryan Nations.
The year: 1984.
In 1984, Aryan Nations bombed an Idaho synagogue - one several attacks over the 1980s.
It was bad enough that national media paid attention.
Aryan Nations’ home base is Idaho - the governor wanted to mitigate negative press coverage.
It was bad enough that national media paid attention.
Aryan Nations’ home base is Idaho - the governor wanted to mitigate negative press coverage.
Oh, and by the way - President Ronald Reagan initially opposed Martin Luther King Day.
He did an about face in 1983. Why?
Reagan’s campaigns against affirmative action and welfare were so blatantly racist, he needed a superficial gesture of support for civil rights.
PR.
He did an about face in 1983. Why?
Reagan’s campaigns against affirmative action and welfare were so blatantly racist, he needed a superficial gesture of support for civil rights.
PR.
So now let’s talk MLK Day, Arizona, and the NFL.
But before that:
Sorry, John McCain stans. Your “Maverick” opposed MLK Day. He had to be forced to change his mind.
But before that:
Sorry, John McCain stans. Your “Maverick” opposed MLK Day. He had to be forced to change his mind.
McCain voted against MLK Day in 1983.
By 1990, political pressure was growing.
Phoenix was supposed to host the 1993 Super Bowl, but the NFL issued an ultimatum: they’d yank the game unless Arizona recognized MLK Day as a holiday.
By 1990, political pressure was growing.
Phoenix was supposed to host the 1993 Super Bowl, but the NFL issued an ultimatum: they’d yank the game unless Arizona recognized MLK Day as a holiday.
And suddenly, Arizona put MLK day on the ballot. Why? All about the NFL money, Lebowski.
But voters opposed MLK Day, and the ballot measure failed.
What did the NFL do? Well, they yanked the Super Bowl.
But voters opposed MLK Day, and the ballot measure failed.
What did the NFL do? Well, they yanked the Super Bowl.
A few more points before I log off.
All the right wing outrage over the National Anthem, Colin Kaepernick, and the NFL isn’t some holdover from an inherently racist sports audience.
Look at Arizona, MLK, and the 1993 Super Bowl.
All the right wing outrage over the National Anthem, Colin Kaepernick, and the NFL isn’t some holdover from an inherently racist sports audience.
Look at Arizona, MLK, and the 1993 Super Bowl.
The NFL wasn’t a locus for ‘traditionalist America’ and hyper patriotism where players should ‘shut up about politics and play’ until.... 9/11.
That right wing outrage over the National Anthem, Kaepernick, and BLM is ginned up.
And it’s rooted in the war on terror.
That right wing outrage over the National Anthem, Kaepernick, and BLM is ginned up.
And it’s rooted in the war on terror.
So in honor of MLK Day, I leave you with these takeaways:
- racism is all over the recent history we’ve already forgotten. Don’t.
- in times of “terrorism,” nationalism can reinvigorate xenophobic displays masquerading as patriotism.
- raise the cost of racism.
#YallaBye
- racism is all over the recent history we’ve already forgotten. Don’t.
- in times of “terrorism,” nationalism can reinvigorate xenophobic displays masquerading as patriotism.
- raise the cost of racism.
#YallaBye
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