Straight Talk with Ed Gray, NDG Senior Columnist
The Confederate Statutes are finally coming down, and the National Football League players are protesting. I was impressed, taking a knee for justice. I ask, however, what is next? Some Dallasites did not see the importance of taking down a Confederate statue, but they cheered when the NFL players took a knee. Let’s get real, this was great theater.
In a case of WWJD, not what would Jesus do, it was what will Jerry do? Mr. Jones took a knee. We all celebrated that America’s Team took a knee. For what? Did Jerry sign Colin Kaepernick and hold a press conference to say that his blackballing was wrong.
Did Jerry sign Colin Kaepernick and hold a press conference to say his blackballing by the NFL teams was wrong. No, he just took a knee with his players. Kind of stylish, I can’t wait until Pop Warner football players take knees in the end zone. If he wanted to do something, he should have signed Colin to a contract, instead of taking a knee.
Now don’t get me wrong I support taking a knee, it gets attention to a cause, that exists – protesting police killings, and supporting the Black Lives Matter Movement. Taking a Knee is fashionable, however, it only became fashionable when President Donald Trump said Colin Kaepernick was a son of a shut your mouth. Trump was talking about Colin and we didn’t dig it. After the symbolism is gone, and everyone gets off their knees, the reasons for the protest that drove Kaepernick to his knees will still be there.
Police brutality and its ancestors the slave catchers, night patrollers, and vigilantes still run rampant in the heat of the night. Preying upon black citizens in their most vulnerable states, impoverished, marginalized, and often times young. The climate of these times demands more than being on bended knee like a bad remix the song from “Boys to Men” singing group.
We need to do more than symbolic boycotts of the NFL, or applaud millionaires protesting temporarily for the needs of the permanent oppressed. To be Black in America, we are always on our knees in prayer, but very seldom do we stand up for self. Next week the symbolism of this past week will be history, what will we do then? The seeds of injustice that drove Colin to his knees will still be there, and we will still have the opportunity to take a stand for Justice.
What will you do? It’s more than symbols, it’s about substance.
I am Ed Gray and this is straight talk.
Ed Gray is the host of The Commish Radio Show airing Saturdays 3-5 p.m. on FBRN.net, can be reached at eegray62@att.net.
