SPANISH HARLEM – How did we get here? Why hasn’t this changed? These questions are keeping me up again at night… again. 
I know this is a sports site and we try our best to provide information and fun about the day-to-day events but it’s hard not to stop and think about what is unfolding. As a society, what can do to make things better? That’s the question we should be asking ourselves. With that, here’s my perspective/insight on how Sports and Race have affected me this week.
On Tuesday, I was scrolling through my Bleacher Report app, trying to find something to read about that was sports-related. I was not surprised about the outpouring of support that came from athletes in every sport all over the world. Then I came across an article by Rembert Browne done in 2017 about Colin Kaepernick and I read the comments. It made so pissed off to read some of the off-handed things said by people on the site. It wasn’t about the article itself but about Bleacher Report putting the content out again because of the protests over police brutality and the killing of George Floyd. I wrote this in the comment section:
“Those that speak against Kaep just don’t get it and probably never will. Those that speak for Kaep understand it’s about more than him, it’s about what he knelt for. His impact will never be forgotten so deal with it!”
Needless to say, someone chimed in and without putting any names out there, one wrote to me and said “…shouldn’t have done it at work.”
This is the way people still think and I couldn’t believe that. Regardless of what happened in the last week, this person felt that Kaepernick was wrong. That he should never have done “it” at work. It made me realize that we still have a lot of work to do.
Drew Brees yesterday made it about the flag and the military, that’s another example of being tone deaf. How can we educate people who don’t even try to see another point of view? Brees has since apologized:
“I would like to apologize to my friends, teammates, the City of New Orleans, the black community, NFL community and anyone I hurt with my comments yesterday. In speaking with some of you, it breaks my heart to know the pain I have caused.
In an attempt to talk about respect, unity, and solidarity centered around the American flag and the national anthem, I made comments that were insensitive and completely missed the mark on the issues we are facing right now as a country. They lacked awareness and any type of compassion or empathy. Instead, those words have become divisive and hurtful and have misled people into believing that somehow I am an enemy. This could not be further from the truth, and is not an accurate reflection of my heart or my character.
This is where I stand: I stand with the black community in the fight against systemic racial injustice and police brutality and support the creation of real policy change that will make a difference. I condemn the years of oppression that have taken place throughout our black communities and still exists today.”
Now more than ever, change is needed.
It won’t happen overnight. It will take some time for people to heal and others to fully understand. Even then there will be people that just won’t care. The support that so many people have given to the cause is astounding and it includes athletes, celebrities, companies and organizations. Heck, even Michael Jordan released a statement. This is far from over but I believe the more people that get involved, the better because the majority has to win. It’s about, what is right and what is wrong. This can not continue to happen to people of color and reform has to come. I have read stories and listened to podcast of people that have fought this cause and continue to fight because it won’t stop until everyone understands that this is what is best for America.
I grew up hating cops because of their treatment of me and others. I know not all cops are bad and some really do care about their communities but when bad things happen to people that deserve their fair due, you have to ask yourself, do you really feel safe around cops? I can only speak for myself and my answer is no.
Come back tomorrow for Replacement Matt, but leave your thoughts below first.
This was inserted by the editor and may not reflect Buddy’s POV.
