Thursday, August 22, 2019

Megan Rapinoe and Race Imoden and Gwen Berry and Colin Kaepernick are True American Heroes

So, the system of oppression is back at it,
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Tuesday formally reprimanded but did not suspend or otherwise punish the two U.S. athletes who protested on the medal stand earlier this month at the Pan American Games. 
In letters to fencer Race Imboden and hammer thrower Gwen Berry, USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland said that while she “applaud(ed)” each athlete’s “decision to be an active citizen,” calling it “admirable,” she noted that they must “abide by the policies we agree to in order to ensure the Games succeed in their purpose for many years to come.”
"To ensure the Games succeed in their purpose..." what do you suppose Sarah Hirshland believes that purpose to be? Fascism is on the march and fascists hate when their ideas are opposed and belittled, especially in public. No doubt Hirshland would have had problems with Jesse Owens showing up Hitler in 1936 or Tommie Smith and John Carlos 1968 raising their fists.

The pushback against Kaepernick, Megan Rapinoe, Race Imoden, Gwen Barry and so many others throughout history always follows the same pattern and always serves the same purpose.

Shut up and play (or sing) is a tool of oppression used by conservatives forcing self-censorship and allowing the status quo or creeping out-right fascism to advance. Always remember the false claim of #Bothsidesdoit or keep politics out of sports or so-called "neutrality" is the declaration of the oppressor and serves their goals of keeping Privilege and Oppression in place.

We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.

2 comments:

The New York Crank said...

Kaepernick got down on one knee. Since when is kneeling a sign of disrespect? Tell it to 'em in church.

Further, by exercising their right of free speech in a public forum, Kaepernick et al are committing a patriotic act. It's those who would silence them who betray the Constitution.

Yours Crankily,
The New York Crank

Grung_e_Gene said...

NY Crank,

Kaepernick's bravery is a type of courage Conservatives can never understand, because conservatives believe in punching down; they show "bravery" by supporting oppression of the weak and siding authority and coercive power. Keep on cranking...