Army Green Beret Nate Boyer, was a football player, a servant to the nation, and most importantly, a listener and communicator.
In the fall of 2016, Colin Kaepernick started what has become the latest media-driven controversial stance of our time. He knelt in defiance of racial injustice during the playing of the National Anthem. Prior to this symbolic gesture, Kaepernick sat quietly on the bench, drew little attention and “stayed in his place.” Boyer wrote a now-famous open letter to the starting quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, explaining his emotional reaction to the protest, but also offering to listen to a man he felt may have a point.
The two men met and exchanged ideas. Kaepernick explained his grievance, with the violent responses to young black Americans accused of wrongdoing, and Boyer made a suggestion-
"We sorta came to a middle ground where he would take a knee alongside his teammates," Boyer says. "Soldiers take a knee in front of a fallen brother's grave, you know, to show respect. When we're on a patrol, you know, and we go into a security halt, we take a knee, and we pull security."-Nate Boyer, by(Will Brinson @WillBrinsonSep 27, 2016 )
What was clearly a suggestive gesture of respect, initiated by a white, Green Beret veteran and a self-identifying black man, of interracial parentage, has been construed by a hostile, race baiting President as a show of disloyalty to America.
Where did it all go wrong?
Last Friday night, in Huntsville, Alabama, the President once again threw down the gauntlet of discord, fed the ravenous racist, raw meat, and stood on the fallen bodies of dead soldiers, countless young black and brown men, and women seeking justice. His compassion is as transparent as the “see-through-wall” he is now proposing, nonexistent.
The sport’s world, politicos, and pundits are consumed with conflating the issues of respect for the flag of the United States of America and racial justice, but is anyone listening? I fully admit I have a dog in this fight, I am the father of two young black men and the grandfather of twelve. There lies the rub, this issue is rightfully and intellectually tainted by color but it does not overshadow right and wrong. This is a rare point in life where nothing could be clearer, but we choose to fog the windows of enlightenment with the hot breath of purposeful ignorance.
Over and over, black and brown parents, athletes, writers, commentator(s) scholars and philosophers have said, this is not about the flag, the anthem, or love of America; we are simply saying, we have a problem, LISTEN TO US, STOP KILLING OUR KIDS!
The default from conservatives and those who hate the idea of not controlling the narrative is, be grateful that you get to destroy your bodies, brains, and families, you, “sons of bitches,” quoting Trump, America has blessed you. I am afraid as a black parent that is not good enough for me. Football players are not spoiled brats looking for a handout, they may be overpaid, as most who entertain us are, but they have given years of literal blood, sweat and tears for success. If everyone could do it, everyone would…
I urge you, take a moment between the hyperbolic ravings of FOX News host, the right of center conservative neighbor or local hero from the VFW and ask him or she; does the story of Nate Boyer and Colin Kaepernick have meaning? They took a moment to listen and communicate, maybe we should too.