Atlanta Falcons Owner Arthur Blank Statement About Protest. (house, minimum wage)

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by helena101

I think it's abundantly clear that they're not protesting about their own living conditions or their own salaries. They're protesting on behalf of others who they believe are suffering and don't have a voice. Whether you think there are race issues or inequality in this country or not is another topic entirely.

They don’t live in reality and have no clue what it is like for the average middle class working person. They are part of the privileged wealthy elite in this country and have no clue what it is actually like to not have a voice so why should I listen to them or take it seriously? Even in Socialist countries there is inequality it can’t be erased totally. There is racism in every single country on earth it isn’t exclusive to America. That is what you seem to not understand.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

bu2 - On this point I must respectfully disagree with you. Those guys didn’t leave their constitutional rights in the locker room when they donned their uniforms.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by Atlwarrior

First, let me mention that the constitution makes peaceful protest legal. As a Marine, I may not agree with how people use that freedom of speech, but having and serving the right to have the constitution of this nation made my service every bit worth the sacrifice despite the utilization of that freedom. I also think the condition of a person's heart should come before a flag, patriotism, and country. I believe each human on the Earth and not just every American is worthy of respect.

I think the President miss a powerful moment to yes identify the fatherless crisis in black families, especially here in Atlanta and Nationally. However individual offices like the presidency should be used with its dignity and thoughtful speech. For example a more reconciliatory statement like, yes I know NFL protest is a constitutional right; furthermore, we must find a way to address the proper use of authority and equal treatment of all US Citizens. One thing that we can immediately do is discuss how we can help strengthen the family unity, which is the origin of all authority and respect.

I applaud Arthur Blanks statement. Unfortunately, this is message should have never had to come from an NFL owner. I hope this starts an honest dialogue and not more division.

Arthur Blank, Falcons issue statement on Trump | Falcons Wire

NFL Players Kneel to Protest Anthem and Trump Comments in Opening Game - The Hollywood Reporter
https://apple.news/AeUbCzg3uQRefX1Xxd1sxMQ

[helena101]

Originally Posted by ronricks

They don’t live in reality and have no clue what it is like for the average middle class working person. They are part of the privileged wealthy elite in this country and have no clue what it is actually like to not have a voice so why should I listen to them or take it seriously? Even in Socialist countries there is inequality it can’t be erased totally. There is racism in every single country on earth it isn’t exclusive to America. That is what you seem to not understand.

No one has said that other countries don't have any issues. I'm not sure why what's happening elsewhere is relevant, typically we don't say "well others have the same problem so we should all just ignore it." I'm also not aware of any rule that says you can only protest or voice support if you are one of the people who are suffering. Many times those of us who are privileged will lend support whether it's monetary support, vocal support or protest to raise awareness for another group who is less able to do so.

[paris-on-ponce]

Originally Posted by ronricks

They don’t live in reality and have no clue what it is like for the average middle class working person. They are part of the privileged wealthy elite in this country and have no clue what it is actually like to not have a voice so why should I listen to them or take it seriously? Even in Socialist countries there is inequality it can’t be erased totally. There is racism in every single country on earth it isn’t exclusive to America. That is what you seem to not understand.

What are you talking about? Professional athletes weren't born into royalty or grew up wealthy and privileged. In fact, the majority of NFL players hail from poor neighborhoods.

Do you think that someone who just, in the most recent two years of their life, started earning a lot of money has no memory or life experience about anything that came before that?

Do you think they suddenly, magically forget their entire life up until now? Forgeting their impoverished childhoods? Do you think that, somehow, the first 18 to 20 years of their life gets erased from their minds on the day they sign a contract?

They didn't have a voice for most of their lives. And everyone that surrounds them, all of their friends, families, communities are the voiceless. They, more than literally anyone else, should be the ones who speak from experience and speak for the voiceless in the communities they hail from. They're the ones who got out. Escaped the cycle of poverty and violence and can now tell the rest of us what it was like.

The only people that wouldn't understand or relate to the common folk in this country are people like our president, and his entire cabinet, all of whom were born into extreme wealth and privilege. But are you bothered when, literally every single day, they claim to speak for the common folk?

[brownhornet]

Originally Posted by paris-on-ponce

What are you talking about? Professional athletes weren't born into royalty or grew up wealthy and privileged. In fact, the majority of NFL players hail from poor neighborhoods.

Do you think that someone who just, in the most recent two years of their life, started earning a lot of money has no memory or life experience about anything that came before that?

Do you think they suddenly, magically forget their entire life up until now? Forgeting their impoverished childhoods? Do you think that, somehow, the first 18 to 20 years of their life gets erased from their minds on the day they sign a contract?

They didn't have a voice for most of their lives. And everyone that surrounds them, all of their friends, families, communities are the voiceless. They, more than literally anyone else, should be the ones who speak from experience and speak for the voiceless in the communities they hail from. They're the ones who got out. Escaped the cycle of poverty and violence and can now tell the rest of us what it was like.

The only people that wouldn't understand or relate to the common folk in this country are people like our president, and his entire cabinet, all of whom were born into extreme wealth and privilege. But are you bothered when, literally every single day, they claim to speak for the common folk?

Cant really put it any better than that.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by Atlwarrior

First, let me mention that the constitution makes peaceful protest legal. As a Marine, I may not agree with how people use that freedom of speech, but having and serving the right to have the constitution of this nation made my service every bit worth the sacrifice despite the utilization of that freedom. I also think the condition of a person's heart should come before a flag, patriotism, and country. I believe each human on the Earth and not just every American is worthy of respect.

I think the President miss a powerful moment to yes identify the fatherless crisis in black families, especially here in Atlanta and Nationally. However individual offices like the presidency should be used with its dignity and thoughtful speech. For example a more reconciliatory statement like, yes I know NFL protest is a constitutional right; furthermore, we must find a way to address the proper use of authority and equal treatment of all US Citizens. One thing that we can immediately do is discuss how we can help strengthen the family unity, which is the origin of all authority and respect.

I applaud Arthur Blanks statement. Unfortunately, this is message should have never had to come from an NFL owner. I hope this starts an honest dialogue and not more division.

Arthur Blank, Falcons issue statement on Trump | Falcons Wire

This Was Never About the Anthem
http://www.theroot.com/this-was-neve...hem-1818701469

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by helena101

No one has said that other countries don't have any issues. I'm not sure why what's happening elsewhere is relevant, typically we don't say "well others have the same problem so we should all just ignore it." I'm also not aware of any rule that says you can only protest or voice support if you are one of the people who are suffering. Many times those of us who are privileged will lend support whether it's monetary support, vocal support or protest to raise awareness for another group who is less able to do so.

You seem to not understand this. Arthur Blank is a billionaire who built his fortune off the backs of middle class people and people who were making minimum wage. The players he employs receive their salaries from middle class and working poor folks who attend games, buy food, drinks, and merchandise, and watch games on tv. So, who is taking advantage of who here? Knowing the answer to that why should any middle class individual listen to a bunch of billionaires and millionaires tell me about any struggle or perceived injustice in this country? You are looking at this on a micro level. This is a macro level issue and yes the middle class is the one who has been getting screwed in this country for 40 years now. This isn’t about black and white as we both know that there are middle class people from all backgrounds. You have the very people who are trying to lecture us and protest are the ones who are doing the taking of advantage because they are wealthy and privileged.

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by paris-on-ponce

What are you talking about? Professional athletes weren't born into royalty or grew up wealthy and privileged. In fact, the majority of NFL players hail from poor neighborhoods.

Do you think that someone who just, in the most recent two years of their life, started earning a lot of money has no memory or life experience about anything that came before that?

Do you think they suddenly, magically forget their entire life up until now? Forgeting their impoverished childhoods? Do you think that, somehow, the first 18 to 20 years of their life gets erased from their minds on the day they sign a contract?

They didn't have a voice for most of their lives. And everyone that surrounds them, all of their friends, families, communities are the voiceless. They, more than literally anyone else, should be the ones who speak from experience and speak for the voiceless in the communities they hail from. They're the ones who got out. Escaped the cycle of poverty and violence and can now tell the rest of us what it was like.

The only people that wouldn't understand or relate to the common folk in this country are people like our president, and his entire cabinet, all of whom were born into extreme wealth and privilege. But are you bothered when, literally every single day, they claim to speak for the common folk?

Many people who are now billionaires and millionaires were not born into it. Also, the person who started this movement Colin Kaepernick you might need to look into his childhood and upbringing because it is not one that you are describing. Look at Bill and Hillary Clinton who somehow through public service are now worth over 250 million dollars. How is that possible? But I should be concerned with a different group of politicians who have wealth? Seriously? You realize that what you are telling me is part of the problem not the solution?

[bu2]

Originally Posted by arjay57

They have the right to protest. Whether they do so at work is between them and their employer and in this case the employer is okay with it.

Yes. That is correct. AnsleyPark is not. Protesting on the job when someone is paying you is not a constitutional right.