Let's unpack those sentiments. Americans have been disagreeing with the government and protesting since before we were a country. Our founding fathers disagreed with the king of England. They might have even refused to stand during the playing God Save the King. They took that disagreement to the ultimate level and started the Revolutionary War. Maybe the rich aristocratic Americans of the late 18th century should have shut up and been thankful that the British allowed them to become wealthy.
The other view seems to portend that athletes or other celebrities shouldn't have an opinion. If by the off chance that they do have an opinion, it should be kept to themselves. The fans are more comfortable listening to the athletes say in-depth things like "we take it one game at a time", "we came to play", etc. Or for the showbiz folks to drone on about how wonderful their upcoming movie, TV show or play is. Nothing too heavy or thoughtful.
I'll agree that many famous athletes and celebrities are full of shit and not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Maybe a little out of touch. But then again, many of our politicians and talking head "experts" are also full of shit and not very bright or informed and completely out of touch. Some of those athletes and celebrities are actually educated and informed. On the other hand, I feel there is often more outrage about a kneeling athlete than there is about a hundred racists carrying Nazi or Confederate flags.
Over the years, I've come to the conclusion that most Americans think freedom of speech means freedom to say what I agree with. If you don't like the status quo, leave the country. That has been the mantra for as long as I can remember during my lifetime. Those who opposed the draconian methods of the 50's and the Joe McCarthy's were branded as communists. The civil rights activists were trouble makers and that Blacks should know their place and be thankful for what they had. Vietnam war protesters were anti-American. The list goes on. Yet now, we realize that McCarthy and his cronies were the real anti-Americans. Civil rights for Blacks were 100 years overdue. Vietnam was a terrible mistake and our government lied to the troops and the public. It is amazing how many originally unpopular causes are now mainstream and generally accepted.
If those of us who are now old farts and think anything new is suspect at best and probably wrong need to look back at those "good old days". I grew up in a very segregated South. Anyone other than WASPs were suspect and often discriminated against. Gays were perverts, probably mentally ill. Speaking of mentally ill, those poor folks were hidden away and often ridiculed. The physically impaired were not treated much better. Many of those problems still exist, but usually to a lesser degree.
Colin Kaepernick and the other athletes think that governments and the white majority are still oppressing and discriminating against the minorities. They think that a peaceful demonstration during the national anthem would draw attention to their view. They were right. They have gotten peoples' attention.
Rather than condemning those who protest the conventional wisdom, maybe listen to their viewpoint. That doesn't mean to agree or embrace that viewpoint or their methods. You may not choose to kneel during the national anthem or raise your fist during the Olympic medal presentations or sit down at a segregated lunch counter or boycott the buses.
Freedom of speech is a tenet of our country, maybe the most important tenet. The right is not there for those who hold the majority opinion, they are not in danger. It is to protect those in the minority, those with unpopular or different views.
Tolerance is the word, you don't even have to be empathetic or sympathetic. You certainly don't have to agree. What you do need to do is agree that they have the right to differ from your views.
Freedom of speech for all, not just those you agree with. Read the first amendment.
wjh
