As A Black Man, Should I Boycott The #NFL?

Okay, so we've all been hearing about the controversy behind Colin Kaepernick taking a knee during the National Anthem last season.  It's been discussed for a year now, but it's reared its ugly head once again because a new season is about to start.

For those who have been living under a rock, let me explain what's been happening over the past 365 days or so.  Kaep, who was a member of the San Francisco 49ers at the time, decided to take a stand against police brutality.  Unlike most athletes these days, Kaep decided to use his platform as an NFL player to raise awareness to his cause.  He said that he would take a knee during the National Anthem until this country took a stand against the treatment of black and brown people by the police.

The response from the media?  "Colin Kaepernick hates the troops!"

Of course, that same rhetoric came from the fans as well (since we take instruction from the media on where and how to direct our outrage).  Fans said that Kaep was disrespecting the veterans because he would not stand for the Star Spangled Banner.  Rarely was police brutality mentioned at all during the many weeks and months of this controversy.  It's been Kaep vs. the USA.  The whole message of police brutality was lost thanks to the media's spin.

Well, now that the controversy is a hot topic again, thanks to a new season kicking off, I started receiving a video link on Facebook about boycotting the NFL.  You may have seen it, but if you haven't, then peep it here:

First, I want to applaud the people who put together the video.  Any time black people get together to do something positive, then I'm all for it...  in most cases.  This one, I still can't get with the message.

The focus of this video, to me, is that once Kaep gets his job back, then everything is good.  No, it's not.  The message has been lost again.  Boycotting the NFL to get Kaep's job back will not fix police brutality against black and brown people in this country.  Does the NFL need to be brought down a peg?  Absolutely.  These 32 "owners" are undoubtedly blackballing a player who could contribute to just about all of the teams in the league.  But not watching games won't hurt anyone other than the TV stations, who may lose some ratings.

The best way to boycott the NFL is to boycott their sponsors directly.  That's what happened with Michael Vick.  People boycotted his sponsors and they dumped him faster than you can say "Hector 'Macho' Camacho".

Do you think Budweiser cares if you don't watch an NFL game as long as you're getting a six pack on your way home?  Do you think Nike cares if you're watching Kaep play as long as you keep buying their apparel?  No, they won't.  Because they would still be getting your money.

And would you stop your son from watching the games, too?  Especially if he is an up and coming star looking to play in the NFL some day?

Don't get me wrong.  So much has to be done to right a lot of wrongs in this country.  But, our approach will determine if it works or not.  Keep boycotting and not voting and you won't see very  much change.  Be mindful of where you spend your money if you want to promote change.

In fact, encouraging the players to do more is the best route to go.  If 70% of the NFL is made up of black players, then wouldn't that be the best place to start?  No players, no games?  If it worked for the University of Missouri's football team, then it can work for the NFL players, too.

So, will I "black out" the NFL games this season?  Nope.  I will watch like I always do.  Will I buy a Budweiser, Nikes, Gatorade, or something else that sponsors the NFL?  Nope.  And I don't think that you should either.

Consumer sponsorship boycotting is the way to go.  History agrees with me.

STOP SHOOTING BLACK MEN!!!!

How many times do we have to scream it before someone acts like they care?

Another unarmed black man has been gunned down.  I've lost count of how many have died within the last few years.  If you run, then you get shot.  If you fight, then you get shot.  If you comply, then you get shot.

What does it take to not get shot other than being white?

And don't feed me that garbage about "he looked threatening" or "he was a bad guy".  Or my favorite: "we don't know what he did prior to getting shot".  Uh, did he pull a weapon and attempt to use it on a cop/civilian?  Because that's the only reason he should be shot dead.

I can name some very high profile examples of non-blacks who actually had weapons who went to jail instead of the morgue.  One even got taken to Burger King for a meal after killing multiple black people in a church.

The only way to stop these senseless killings is for:

1) Police to admit that they have a problem with their perception of black men in society.  Acknowledging that black men scare you will get the ball rolling on how to fix it.  Yes, there are some intimidating brothas out there, but if you're scared, then don't be a cop.  That's not the right job for you.  Walmart is hiring.

2) Police need to start going to jail when they kill unarmed black men.  "Oh, I didn't know he was unarmed."  Well, too bad because you're still going to get this jail time for involuntary manslaughter if nothing else.  There has to be a consequence to the action.  Paid administrative leave is not a deterrent to shooting someone.  In most cases, these shootings appear to be cold-blooded murders and should be treated as hate crimes.

3) Police need to stop training their officers to shoot to kill.  This within itself doesn't make a lot of sense to me.  If soldiers overseas have certain protocols that require shooting to kill to be a last resort, then why is it normally the first choice here in the states against our own citizens?  In the latest incident with Terence Crutcher, the cops were close enough to easily shoot Crutcher in the leg if necessary.  But, that's not what cops do.  They shoot to kill.  It has to stop.

4) Police need to do their jobs!  If your job is to put away criminals, then do so.  Even those criminals are within your police force.  Stop turning a blind eye to your "brother in blue" while families are losing loved ones on the regular.  How can you continue to put on a badge every morning that is simply seen as a piece of tin by black communities instead of something that represents integrity?  Show that you're to be trusted by doing the right thing!

It's a shame that I'm 44 years old and I'm terrified to see blue lights while traveling.  The same feeling my dad had in the 50's and 60's whenever he drove some where.  Even if you're polite and accommodating, there is no guarantee that you won't be a target over a "misinterpretation".  Imagine an agitated black youth who may not make the effort to be polite or accommodating.  How do you think his day is going to end up?

Colin Kaepernick is never going to get off the ground at the rate we're going.  I hope that he brought knee pads.  SMH.