
I was asked my thoughts on the reaction to the Nike Campaign featuring Kaepernick. Below is my objective, honest response.
I weigh most thing against the 3 tests for truth that I picked up from famed Christian Apologetics Guru Ravi Zacharias:
1) An argument must be logically consistent.
2) An argument must be empirically adequate.
3) An argument must be existentially relevant.
My understanding is that individuals are burning Nike gear due to their perception that Kaepernick is protesting the American Flag and military personnel. Notice I use the term perception intentionally. If this is accurate, then below are how the rest of my thoughts flow:
Is the argument logically consistent? No. If the issue is the disrespect of the flag then it would seem that these same individuals would have equal or at least noticeable reservations about other infractions on the flag or military personnel such as: the flag being worn as clothing (i.e., underwear and swim wear), the flag not being aloft and free, disposable flag products, advertisements of items such as beer with the flag or as parts of costumes or athletic uniforms. Since this issue is more personal we can compare based on another public figure. For instance, Donald Trump, our President/Commander-In-Chief. He has referred to a military hero John McCain negatively, directly minimized McCain’s sacrifices, reluctantly lowered the flags in McCain’s honor, disparaged a Gold Star family, accepted second hand Purple heart, referred to dodging STDs as his Vietnam, Vietnam draft-dodging, failed to place his hand on his heart during the national anthem at his first Easter egg roll, mocked and expressed indifference for the bugle call, provided delayed condolence letters for fallen soldiers, and pledged money to a soldier’s family that wasn’t paid until 4+ months later and increase news coverage.
So even if one concedes that Kaepernick is disrespecting the flag and troops it doesn’t seem that solely protesting his actions would be a logical and consistent expression of their concerns. We have a declining pro athlete’s kneeling/sitting during the anthem in comparison to numerous questionable actions of various members of society including our President. It would seem odd to me for any society to place a greater weight on the words/actions of a pro-athlete than the leader of its government/society. It doesn’t appear logically consistent and one is then triggered to wonder what it is that is in turn fueling these reactions.
Secondly, we should consider if an argument is empirically adequate. Basically, this means an argument must match what we see in reality.
Previously, I used the term perception. Individual’s perceive that Kaepernick is kneeling/sitting to disrespect the American flag and military personnel. However, the reality based on reports shows that:
1) Kaepernick stated the reason of his protest was in regard to the oppression of Black people — specifically the killing of unarmed Black men by police.
2) With some general research, one can see that there was a rash of Black people being killed by police.
3) He never asked anyone else to join him nor did he advertise to the team what he was doing.
4) Kaepernick has repeatedly expressed an appreciation for America and it’s troops.
5) Kaepernick consulted with Green Beret and NFL Player Nate Boyer about respectfully protesting and was encouraged to kneel because Boyer said “…Soldiers take a knee in front of a fallen brother’s grave, you know, to show respect. When we’re on a patrol, you know, and we go into a security halt, we take a knee, and we pull security.”
6) Kaepernick has donated:
October 2016
Silicon Valley De-Bug ($25,000)
Causa Justa/Just Cause ($25,000)
Urban Underground ($25,000)
Mothers Against Police Brutality ($25,000)
November 2016
Black Youth Project (25,000)
Gathering For Justice/Justice League ($25,000)
Communities United for Police Reform ($25,000)
I Will Not Die Young Campaign ($25,000)
December 2016
UCSF for “The Mni Wiconi Health Clinic Partnership at Standing Rock” ($50,000)
Appetite for Change ($25,000)
Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation ($25,000)
January 2017
Black Veterans For Social Justice ($25,000)
350 Global Environmental Organization ($25,000)
Center For Reproductive Rights ($25,000)
CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles) ($25,000)
February 2017
Meals on Wheels ($50,000)
Somalia Famine Relief ($50,000)
March 2017
Life After Hate ($50,000)
Leaders Of A Beautiful Struggle ($25,000)
Silence Is Violence ($25,000)
April 2017
Assata’s Daughters ($25,000)
Helping Oppressed Mothers Endure (H.O.M.E.) ($25,000)
Grassroots Leadership ($25,000)
American Friends Service Committee ($25,000)
May 2017
The Dreamville Foundation ($34,000)
Lower East Side Girls Club ($33,000)
100 Suits For 100 Men ($33,000)
June 2017
DREAM (Formerly RBI Harlem) ($25,000)
Coalition For The Homeless ($25,000)
Justice League NYC: War on Children Program ($25,000)
United We Dream ($25,000)
10x10
DeBug San Jose ($20,000 with Kevin Durant)
The Advancement Project ($20,000 with Jesse Williams)
United Playaz ($20,000 with Steph Curry)
Mothers Against Police Brutality ($35,000 with Snoop Dogg)
Imagine LA ($20,000 with Serena Williams)
Angel By Nature ($20,000 with TI)
Schools on Wheels ($30,000 with Chris Brown, Jhene Aiko)
Communities United By Police Reform ($40,000 with Nick Cannon, Joey Badass)
Youth Services, Inc. ($20,000 with Meek Mill)
H.O.M.E, linked above ($20,000 with Usher)
7) The largest resistance that Kaepernick seems to come from the President. You can read a list of his actions above. It would seem difficult to attribute those behaviors to one who is respectful of the flag and our troops. Don’t forget he is on record record having referred to NFL players who protest as “sons of bitches”, un-American, and unpatriotic.
If Kaepernick and others are wishing demise on America or troops wouldn’t that jeopardize the well-being of themselves and their loved ones? Many of them have relatives or friends who serve in law enforcement, military, or who are good American citizens. So logically, empirically where do we find evidence to support the idea that these individuals want America to be something that it shouldn’t based on the most authentic interpretation of the values it espouses?
It is hard to find examples of where there are observable events (empirically adequacy) to support the arguments being pitched against Kaepernick. Why? I would argue no pudding then no proof. Again, one is left to inquire what is fueling this reaction if they are not based on logical consistency nor empirical adequacy. How does one get to ascertain another’s motives with out a preponderance of evidence? Could it be that one side is asserting a sense of privilege, right, or supremacy over another based on some abstract quality or qualities?
Lastly, I then think is it existentially relevant. More simply, is it practical and relevant to real life, not just some abstract idea? I would have to say No. I don’t understand what one has to gain by protesting an argument that doesn’t exist. Even if I am to assume that the perception of the motivation for Kaepernick’s action (disrespect of the flag and troops) is correct then I’m still confronted with the logic of why I would weigh the questionable actions of an athlete or handful athletes versus the actions of a larger slice of America and her President. Furthermore, I would question the structure or lack thereof that has allowed me to place so much weight on this issue. Ultimately if one sits, kneels, or places hand over heart during the anthem isn’t the ultimate test of their affinity of our nation or troops. If I’m that concerned about one’s loyalty, then would it not be more effective to ask them directly about their sentiments and measure their response against the totality of their actions and not their behavior during a 5-minute song? How often do we want to be judged for a moment with no regard for our entire body of work? Do we not desire to do unto others as we would ourselves? I’m not sure. However, may God bless us. May God bless America.
In summary, I don’t understand how burning one’s Nike apparel is an effective protest to Nike’s support/featuring of Kaepernick. Nor, do I know what the desired outcome of the action is. It fails the truth test. Furthermore, I am not offended by a person protesting by burning their Nike apparel. If this fulfills something in you then please be free in your expression of self. However, I would think that donating the apparel to military personnel in need would be better than destroying usable items. Additionally, a prevalence of homeless individuals being clad in Nike apparel wouldn’t be an “ideal” look and maybe the brand would do more to support these individuals. In fact, this could encourage other brands and supporters.
We are all ready to be savage in some cause. The difference between a good man and a bad one is the choice of the cause. — William James
