Non-American here. What I really never understood with this whole thing is... isn’t kneeling universally recognised as a sign of humility and respect? I mean, sure he wasn’t doing what was expected and knew that would cause a stir. I personally think it was a very good way to peacefully protest and when I first saw it, I interpreted the gesture as him showing that black people were still treated like less important citizens by gently remind people of a system where you bowed deeper the lower you were on the social ranking scale. I don’t know if that was a correct interpretation or not, but that is how I saw it.
But what I don’t understand is all the people going “He is disrespecting our flag and our veterans and hates America!” When did -kneeling- become disrespectful? Do these people start flipping tables every time they visit a church and the priest kneels at the altar to pray? And where on earth did military veterans get into the picture of a sports event? Is everything related to the American flag by definition related to veterans? I honestly don’t understand the logic here.
Edit: Oh dear, this certainly got a LOT more attention than I expected. Anyway, I try to read all comments and thank you very much for taking your time to explain the issue to me, I was honestly curious and this has been very informative.
I don't get how people are so upset by this man's peaceful, and rather passive, gesture of protest. It doesn't hurt anyone, and it is a right enshrined in their sacred Constitution. The fact that he feeds the homeless on his time is admirable. It is so strange to see one thing somehow negates the other in the mind of anyone.
blaqspacecowb0y on November 5th, 2019 at 06:11 UTC »
Luxary.
Ennaia on November 5th, 2019 at 07:53 UTC »
Non-American here. What I really never understood with this whole thing is... isn’t kneeling universally recognised as a sign of humility and respect? I mean, sure he wasn’t doing what was expected and knew that would cause a stir. I personally think it was a very good way to peacefully protest and when I first saw it, I interpreted the gesture as him showing that black people were still treated like less important citizens by gently remind people of a system where you bowed deeper the lower you were on the social ranking scale. I don’t know if that was a correct interpretation or not, but that is how I saw it.
But what I don’t understand is all the people going “He is disrespecting our flag and our veterans and hates America!” When did -kneeling- become disrespectful? Do these people start flipping tables every time they visit a church and the priest kneels at the altar to pray? And where on earth did military veterans get into the picture of a sports event? Is everything related to the American flag by definition related to veterans? I honestly don’t understand the logic here.
Edit: Oh dear, this certainly got a LOT more attention than I expected. Anyway, I try to read all comments and thank you very much for taking your time to explain the issue to me, I was honestly curious and this has been very informative.
Tballz9 on November 5th, 2019 at 08:10 UTC »
I don't get how people are so upset by this man's peaceful, and rather passive, gesture of protest. It doesn't hurt anyone, and it is a right enshrined in their sacred Constitution. The fact that he feeds the homeless on his time is admirable. It is so strange to see one thing somehow negates the other in the mind of anyone.