Adam Jones on MLB's lack of Kaepernick protest: 'Baseball is a white man's sport'

[Sessh]

I talk with a LOT of football fans for various reasons and I have yet to find a single person who is upset about the protest. Yet, the media would have you believe the country is up in arms about this issue. I don't think it is true. I think that most of those taking issue with it need to fill air time or generate discussion. The media is most of the problem IMHO. They breed conflict because conflict breeds emotion and emotion leads to people spending time and money on things that they normally wouldn't.

Boom. Hit the nail on the head there about the media. I am not privy to what is talked about in NFL circles, but I believe you. The media is responsible for a lot of this kind of stuff and it wouldn't surprise me at all if it was

the media creating this problem once again to stir people up into a frenzy.

Well, Kaepernick is continuing on. I think the thing here is whether or not Adam *wants* to or not. That's an entirely different animal. The first step in this is always the hardest.

Hell, Adam is getting destroyed by people that don't even read the article, but rather just the title. He's also getting destroyed having *not* done anything during the anthem.

Yeah, but it's all intimidation in order to discourage people from speaking out about things like this. You're certainly right that the first step is the hardest. I think Jones does want to do it, but is afraid of what might happen

as a result. Change is often hard for people especially initially, but I think he will find that he will have a lot more support than he thinks he will have.

[Satyr3206]

Why you gotta be like that man. People are having legitimate conversation, sharing human history, personal experience etc. This can be a great convo if you added something constructive bro

I voiced my opinion. From my life experiences. What more should I add?

[Can_of_corn]

You're white. Speaking from privilege. Just like most of us on this forum.

The problem is you can work and work to make your life better...but as a white person in the United States, you have less obstacles nearly every single step of the way. And if you're a white man? Even less obstacles.

The point about athletes standing up has nothing to do with being spoiled. Hell, arguably their life is already better. They're using their stature and media attention to bring attention to the issue at hand. And bring more and more people into the fold to talk about the issue.

This is civil discourse, folks. We should applaud it. Everyone speaks of freedom of speech. Unfortunately there are those that believe that as soon as someone disagrees with them...that they aren't patriotic, not being a true American...if anything they are being more American than those that sit down and shut up. We were built on rebelling.

That's debatable actually.

[Satyr3206]

You're white. Speaking from privilege. Just like most of us on this forum.

The problem is you can work and work to make your life better...but as a white person in the United States, you have less obstacles nearly every single step of the way. And if you're a white man? Even less obstacles.

The point about athletes standing up has nothing to do with being spoiled. Hell, arguably their life is already better. They're using their stature and media attention to bring attention to the issue at hand. And bring more and more people into the fold to talk about the issue.

This is civil discourse, folks. We should applaud it. Everyone speaks of freedom of speech. Unfortunately there are those that believe that as soon as someone disagrees with them...that they aren't patriotic, not being a true American...if anything they are being more American than those that sit down and shut up. We were built on rebelling.

I'm privileged? Some days it sure doesn't feel like that.

[SilverRocket]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jones also said he will always stand for the anthem. Has family in military. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/orioles?src=hash">#orioles</a></p>— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) <a href="

">September 12, 2016</a></blockquote>

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[baltimore_chop]

Here is where I am lost. I am not bothered by Kaepernick's protest at all. Honestly I don't care. I wouldn't personally do it, but if he feels like it is the right thing to do, who am I to say it is wrong? He isn't hurting me. I wish him luck in effecting change.

I talk with a LOT of football fans for various reasons and I have yet to find a single person who is upset about the protest. Yet, the media would have you believe the country is up in arms about this issue. I don't think it is true. I think that most of those taking issue with it need to fill air time or generate discussion. The media is most of the problem IMHO. They breed conflict because conflict breeds emotion and emotion leads to people spending time and money on things that they normally wouldn't.

I would also add that I truly like and respect Adam Jones. I have no doubt that his heart is in the right place. However, I really wish he would stop talking in absolutes. If someone reads that article and grasps the meaning of the actual words he said, he repeatedly says things that mean ALL people that aren't of color dislike and restrain freedom of expression in ALL people of color. Basically that there is a carte blanche of freedom granted by caucasians to other caucasians and restricted to non-caucasians.

There are certainly people who feel that way and it sucks to put it simplly. I don't support it and I'd work to fight against it, but I ALSO don't like being grouped into a mindless, faceless homogenous group that systemically institutes racial practices. When I get grouped into this type of homogenous grouping it becomes very hard for me to focus on the base issue at hand rather than wanting to debate the poor use of the modifiers few/some/most/all.

Nobody wants to be accused of negative attributes that they don't feel they possess. When it does happens, you're almost forced into a defensive position. Again, this is a result of the seeming endless segregation into binary groups that the media insists on doing every single day. I beg of us all. DON'T FALL FOR THAT CRAP. Most people care. Most people want to do the right thing. Most people just want to live good lives and be able to provide for their family. The country isn't what the media is showing us. They are showing the small ends of the bell curve at both ends and pretending they represent the majority. They don't.

I absolutely agree with you about the media stirring up a lot of this but on the other hand, it is interesting to see on social media, Caucasian folks who I went to school with and such, vehemently agree with the Tomi Lahrens of the world (not saying it's good or bad btw. I really do respect everyone's opinion). What I do think we POC think about the most isnt you or our friends or neighbors, it's moreso the structure and systematic things this country puts in place from the top down.

[SilverRocket]

At this point with the conversation already started, his words may be a better way to express himself than what he does during the anthem. I can't blame him for avoiding an action that can be misinterpreted a million ways.

[tntoriole]

I truly respect Adam's sincere and considered thoughts about sports, baseball, race relations and freedoms. It makes me even more of a fan of his. In an age where it is increasingly difficult to identify baseball players as role models, Adam fits that category to a T. Bravo!!

[Moshagge3]

The closest parallel I can think of to Kaepernick in baseball is when Carlos Delgado sat down for God Bless America in protest of the U.S. Navy's use of Vieques in Puerto Rico as a bombing range. I don't remember there being a huge backlash. Maybe in New York where they took GBA to a ridiculous level. Anyway, if Adam Jones wants to sit down for the anthem, I will support him. Maybe I'll tell him so on Twitter.

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[LookitsPuck]

I'm privileged? Some days it sure doesn't feel like that.

By nature, we white, male Americans are.

[backwardsk]

The closest parallel I can think of to Kaepernick in baseball is when Carlos Delgado sat down for God Bless America in protest of the U.S. Navy's use of Vieques in Puerto Rico as a bombing range. I don't remember there being a huge backlash. Maybe in New York where they took GBA to a ridiculous level. Anyway, if Adam Jones wants to sit down for the anthem, I will support him. Maybe I'll tell him so on Twitter.

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I recall the backlash on Delgado being pretty strong. I may be wrong though.

I pulled up this article. It doesn't really support my memory one way or the other, but I think it's a good read.

http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/carlos-delgados-2004-sitdown-a-reminder-that-we-shouldnt-rush-to-judge-colin-kaepernick-protest/

[Satyr3206]

It's simple to me. You don't stand I will never care about you, or your career.

[Satyr3206]

By nature, we white, male Americans are.

Get a grip. Stop feeling guilty about things you had nothing to do with. Or me.

[Bmorebirds24]

What is the actually point of African Americans not standing for the national anthem?

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[slakattack]

Kaepernick is getting destroyed in the media and from NFL "fans". Hell, you have NFL executives destroying him. It's disgusting. A bunch of thin skinned jerks that don't realize that civil discourse is what this country is founded on.

In the last 20 years or so it has become the norm that "live and let live" is not good enough any more. I was taught to do unto other as you would have done unto you and I believe we would all be a whole lot better if that was our national motto. However, I was not taught to mindlessly agree with everything that is put in front of me, no matter how much the loud person on TV says I should. I respect your right to protest, you respect my right to question the validity of your protest.