Making It Respectable To Hate America

Since Trump, hating all things American has become the latest "cause-celeb" . Not even during the turbulent 50's, 60's, and 70's has the hatred of America been so visceral; so palpable. None of this would be possible without the support and encouragement of the media, and that means without the accomplice of the six corporations which own the 96%+ of all media, promulgating their own agendas.  

Today, athletes kneel during the national anthem or otherwise disrespecting the anthem which has filtered down from pro sports to high school and Pop Warner. They, in turn, get upset with fans when we boo and jeer them or boycott the games.  It's not necessarily because we disagree with their politics, but rather for forcing us to indirectly participate in their protest.

Games are played for our enjoyment and paid for with our dollars, which also pays their multi-million dollar salaries. We didn't buy an overpriced tickets or tune in for a political event. We're there to watch a sporting event and to be entertained. That's what sports ultimately are---entertainment. If they want to express themselves politically, do it on their own time, not ours. How about off season?

Actors and athletes spout off their opinions on topics they have little or any real understanding of. Nevertheless, the media treats it as gospel. Millennials and Gen Z often mimic what they see without considering the full effect of an issue. That's what happens when you live in a bubble. It's not to say there aren't a few who actually take the time to research the topic they want to talk about first., but those individuals are rare and far between.

Lately, we've starting hearing form a small group of athletes and mediocre celebrities demanding that the flag and National Anthem be changed because both represent slavery. It takes a pretty misinformed mind to make the leap from the National Anthem, which was written at the Battle of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, to slavery.  

As for the flag, in what way does it have any connection with slavery? The stars represent the states. The symbol of the star was chosen since it represents the heavens and divine protection. The 13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies. The red symbolizes the bloodshed by those who fought for this country. The white stands for purity and truth, while the blue represents justice.  Maybe they should step out of their echo chambers. Better yet, read a book or take a history class.  

The media calls protests which involve looting, arson, assaults, and wanton destruction of property "peaceful" and "organized" when it done by BLM or Antifa which are  anything but! Meanwhile, they call the protest of the Capitol on January 6th an "insurrection" or "attempted coup" without having the vaguest idea what an insurrection or coup attempt would look like simply because these were individuals on the Right who supported Trump. 

Personalities in Congress, ran away like a bunch of scared mice, only later claiming they were there, willing to "stand and fight" when in reality they were hiding behind locked doors and quivering under their desks like frightened rabbits. Meanwhile, AOC tells the media how afraid she was when, in fact, she was blocks away in a very safe and secure location.

To make matters worse, we're giving individuals who are blatantly racist air time and acting as if this is perfectly acceptable in the name of political correctness. They talk about "systematic white racism" and "white privilege" as if such nonsense actually exists. I'm not aware of any privilege. I've worked my butt off all my life. I paid for college by serving in the military (and ended up a disabled vet for my efforts). I've worked two jobs and made a lot of sacrifices to get where I wanted to be. I can say too,  that my race, and perhaps gender, likely cost me a job.

Everyone I know, regardless of their race or other identifier, put in the effort to get where they are in life. Now, perhaps, there are those at the upper tier of the economic spectrum getting some sort of systematic privilege, but I doubt it's because of their race and has more to do with good old fashion cronyism and class privilege., not to mention writing the laws which benefit them and those like them.

I don't hear anyone discussing how other groups, be it Hispanics or Asians, who've come to America, often with literally nothing but the clothes on their back, unfamiliar with the language, customs, or culture, and within a few years are relatively successful. 

Why is that? Is it because culturally they put a premium on education? Is it because of their work ethic; that they'll take any job and put in the hours? Is it because, for them, being on the public dole is seen as a social stigma? That's what most of our ancestors who came here did.  Instead, I hear about "repartitions" based on what happened to someone else almost two hundred years ago. 

What if there was some sort of financial reparations and if fails as did the "War on Poverty" of the 1960's? Then what? Who will be blamed? Without a strong desire to succeed, which first requires an educational foundation and a strong work ethic, few, if any, will see their economic standing substantially improve. Hope without effort will only lead to failure, and ultimately to despair and anger. 

To make matters scarier, some are now calling whites "parasites", a "disease" equivalent with a plague which automatically discriminates against non-whites, or an infestation which needs to be eliminated.  In addition, they are "demanding" that assets, like houses, cars, property, etc  be turned over to waiting black families when they die. These are the same terms that the Nazis used in talking about the Jews, and we all know how that turned out! They are also reflective of what's happened in places like South Africa or Zimbabwe. This is not the America anyone should want. 

Now, let's be honest for a moment.  Much of what I'm saying is what most of you wish you could say. I know it. You know it. So, why am I saying it? The answer is because we need an honest and open national conversation not just about race, gender, or social class, but what is expected of us as a society.

Although the intentions were good, I think America lost track of what it was all about starting in the 1960's, when we created legislation designed to lift the poorest among us out of poverty but instead broke up families; forcing males away from the families they created. We encouraged individuals not to work by providing them with more incentives to remain on public handouts than to work. In effect, we removed many of the opportunities they had to move up the social ladder.

As a society, we allowed a subculture to develop out of this which discouraged education; where "being smart" was the equivalent of "acting white"  which often resulted in ridicule, being ostracized, or assaulted.  This same sub-culture also gave them an economic way out--through drugs and crime where, in the worst case scenario, they would go to prison where, again, the system would take care of them, not to mention living off the social safety net which was intended to be temporary.

 While we need a social safety net, it must be aimed at providing a helping hand up, not becoming a lifestyle choice. Education is the key to success, but so is a stable family unit. That means legislation which promotes rebuilding the family unit; to make it economically worthwhile to remain together. It doesn't take a village. It takes a mom and dad committed to making it work and raising their kids right.

We need to stop giving these so-called celebrities and athletes more credit than their due. Hollywood is a fantasy land. They make a living playing make believe. I'm sure some are actually intelligent and informed; some, but far from all. They also live in world where they are paid millions. Very few would be willing to practice what they preach to the rest of us.  The same argument can be made for athletes.

Both groups can have a greater impact by giving some of their millions to specific charities as well as doing commercials or special appearances...but on their own time, not ours. Movies, TV, music, and even sports are entertainment businesses. We are there to be entertained, not lectured, especially on our own dollar.

There is nothing wrong with any media or organization catering to a specific group. It's called marketing. However, to tell one group that not only can they not do the same thing, but that they have to "share" with other groups who are afforded exclusivity is wrong. If there's a Miss Asian America, a Miss Native America, Miss Black America, or a Miss Latina (and there are), plus an all inclusive Miss America, but not a Miss European America, isn't that too discrimination? Then again, why should we have a "beauty" pageant at all? Isn't that a form of sexual exploitation? 

If there are magazines like Jet or Ebony aimed at black readers, then why not all racial or ethnic groups without exception? Same goes with movie and music genres or networks and radio stations. If there can be a BET or Telemundo network, why not a WET? If there can be professional and fraternal associations which cater to one group or another based on race (and there are many), then why are whites excluded? Should groups like these even exist? 

If there are scholarships or grants based on race or other demographics, then why not all races and demographics? For that matter, maybe scholarships and grants should be exclusively based on need and academic performance.  The same applies to academic majors.Why are there Hispanic, African, Feminist, and gay majors but not a European/white major? There aren't any professional or civic associations based on my race or orientation, yet there are such associations dedicated exclusively to other groups. Personally, I would eliminate most of these qualifications across the board, but that's not "PC". In fact, none of this is. 

If there is Black Heritage Month (February), Asian Pacific Heritage Month (May), Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15--Oct 15), an Arab American Heritage Month (April), or Gay Pride Month (June), why isn't there a European Heritage Month? Or Traditional American Family Month? If you allow for one, shouldn't you allow for all? Isn't that what we mean when we say "equality"?

As an aside, white males are an official minority in this country according to the Census Bureau. Within the next ten years, America will no longer have a majority race society. It will be virtually equal between Hispanics and whites followed by blacks and Asians (Asians will outpace blacks in some areas and may, within the next 25 years, surpass them altogether). So, if we're going for equality under the law, then it has to apply to everyone, not just one group or another even if one is no longer a majority.

The crux of our racial and other manufactured problems, as I see it, are this. We've permitted ourselves (perhaps unwittingly) to be divided, be it racially, class, gender, religious, political, or sexual orientation. We've allowed government to take away our self-respect and responsibility for our own successes or failures---"You didn't build that" (Obama). That has created universal resentment; a sense of "us vs. them" mentality. 

That will ultimately create a balkanized America, which, for the Oligarchs now in control, will make it that much easier to dominate and manipulate us until we're nothing but puppets. We must stop defining ourselves as hyphenated Americans and simply as Americans. A slight against one America should be a slight against all Americans. 

We cannot and must not pigeonhole ourselves based on all these artificial divisions which are tearing this nation apart. Meanwhile, though it may sound cliché, the Golden Rule---"so unto others as you would have them do unto you"---is still a pretty good guide to living together don't you think?

Kneeling during the anthem? Americans opinions have shiftedover the years, polls show

Zimbabwe's white farmers: Who will pay compensation?

The growing fight in South Africa over land and identity

Zimbabwe asks exiled white farmers to return home meets withskepticism

The Polarization of Politics and Sports

Gwen Berry, the hammer throwing Olympian hopeful, recently drew some unwelcome attention to herself at the Tokyo Olympics trials in Eugene Washington, aside from her third place finish.  

During the playing of the National Anthem, the Missouri native turned her back on the flag, covered her head with a black "Activist Athlete"  shirt and display what can only be term as a "pissed off" expression and matching body language. Meanwhile, her two fellow athletes displayed a much more appropriate decorum which one expects from professional athletes. 

This isn't the first time Ms. Berry displayed a lack of professionalism. In the 2019 Pan American Games, Ms. Berry, who had won a gold medal, displayed a "Black Power" raised fist during the playing of the anthem reminisce of gold medal winner Tommie Smith and the bronze medal winner, John Carlos, at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City (they each wore a black and black socks to signify  black power and black poverty).

According to Ms. Berry, the National Anthem contains references to slavery. In addition, she insisted that she wasn't there to represent America, but to represent "those who died due to systematic racism" (and here I thought it was an honor and privilege to go to the Olympics to represent your country. Silly me).

There have been similar protests over the years, when athletes made political statements. Perhaps the most famous of all was Spartacus, the Thracian gladiator, who led a revolt against actual cruelty and dehumanization of Rome's economic and slave systems. Leading just 80 fellow gladiators, his ranks soon swelled to thousands as runaway slaves and those from Rome's lower class joined his cause.

For three years, they gave Rome all it could handle before finally being defeated by generals Pompey the Great and Crassus, the richest man in Rome. The survivors, an estimated 6000, were crucified along the Appian Way to the gates of Rome itself. For those who witnessed Rome's retribution, it must have overwhelmed the senses--the sight, sounds, and smell of the dead, dying, and those soon to be joining them.   Never again was there a revolt like this in Rome's history.

In more recent times, the great baseball player, Jackie Robinson, said, shortly before his death in 1972, that he could not bring himself to stand and sing the National Anthem as he had 20 years earlier; this, after becoming the first professional black player in Major League Baseball. 

During his ten year career, Jackie Robinson won the "Rookie of the Year Award" in 1947; was "All Star" from 1949 to 1954; won the "Most Valuable Player Award" in 1949; played in six World Series games, and contributed to the Brooklyn Dodger's World Series win in 1955. Despite all this, Jackie Robinson felt that he was only accepted so long as he won, otherwise, he was just a "Negro athlete". As an aside, it's worth nothing that Jackie Robinson also served in the U.S. Army during WWII as a Second Lieutenant.

Another black athlete of that time, Jesse Owens, won gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, competing not just against the world's best, but against Hitler's so-called superior "Aryan" super athletes.  Owens, who won four gold medals, felt that he was better treated by some of his competitors than by his fellow athletes and coaches. Even the accommodations for Owns and  teammate, Cornelius Johnson (also black) were equal to that of every other athlete competing.

The German shoe company, Adi Dassler (which became Addis) provided Owens and Johnson with special track and field shoes which enhanced his performance on the field. Leni Riefenstahl, the German actress, producer, and director, made sure Owens was included in her award winning film, "Olympiad" (Riefenstahl was also an impressive athlete herself).

It's worth noting that Owens disapproved of Tommie Smith's and John Carlos' "Black Power" salute. He said "the black fist is a meaningless symbol. When you open it, you have nothing but weak, empty fingers. The only time the black fist has significance is when there's money inside. That's where the power lies".  Owens also said that the Olympics was a break from war and should be above politics.

Boxing great, Joe Louis (aka "The Brown Bomber"), achieved hero worship status across racial lines, not just nationally, but globally, when he knocked out Germany's Max Schmeling in his second fight with the German legend in 1938. He was also key to integrating professional golf in 1952. Louis won 66 of his 69 fights; 52 of those by knockout. Impressive by any measure.

In 1934, he won the National Golden Gloves, the Chicago Golden Gloves, and U.S. National Championship. Not bad considering that his parents, both sharecroppers, were children of former slaves (his mother was also half Cherokee). Louis, who was born in rural Alabama, was also one of eight children and suffered from a speech impediment. As an aside, his father was committed to mental institution when Joe was just two years old.

Never known to back down from a fight, Joe Louis volunteer for the Army at the outset of WWII along with another boxing great, "Sugar Ray" Robinson. Instead, of being sent into combat, both were assigned to the Special Services Division (which also included a number of movies stars, celebrities, and performers like Glenn Miller and Mickey Rooney ) to help with the war effort by encouraging enlistment (especially among the black community) and buying war bonds. During his stent, he travelled over 22,000 miles and put on 96 boxing exhibitions. In 1945, he was awarded the Legion of Merit.

Louis never approved of politics of any sort in sports. When he died in 1981, President Ronald Reagan said "Joe Louis was more than a sports legend---his career was an indictment of racial bigotry and a source of pride and inspiration to millions of white and black people around the world".  In fact, his former opponent, Max Schmeling, not only served as a pallbearers, he also paid for Louis' funeral.

San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick won distain and condemnation from fans when he introduced kneeling during the playing of the National Anthem, which ultimately spread to many of teams (in a few instances, even coaches participated). As a result, teams, the NFL, and television networks lost millions in ticket sales, merchandising, and viewership as fans boycotted the games.

Starting in 2016, Kaepernick remained seated during the National Anthem to protest what he saw as "racial injustice" and "systematic racial oppression". To cut financial losses, Kaepernick was let go by the 49ers, and despite rumors of a return, remains unsigned (don't feel too sad for him. As of 2021, he was estimated to have a net worth of $20 million dollars according to the site "Celebrity Net Worth").

 Nevertheless, his protest spread to colleges, high schools, and "Pop" Warner league sports. In some instances, the playing of the national Anthem was suspended, which often led to impromptu singing of anthem by fans in attendance. As expected, attendance at games declined as did participation, and donations from sponsors, alumni, and parents.

However, none stand out any more than the self proclaimed "Greatest of All Time", Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay); better known at the time as "the Mouth from the South". Ali's fame (or notoriety) outside the ring came when in 1966 when he announced that he refused to be drafted (and, presumably, sent to Vietnam, though not necessarily), citing his religious beliefs and moral conviction.

Ali proclaimed himself a "conscientious objector", yet his explanation, belying a racial undertone, when he said "Man, I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong". He added "Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go ten thousand miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?". 

 There are stories about whether Cassius Clay, which was as Ali's birth name, tossing his Olympic gold medal, which he had just won in Rome, into the Ohio River over a alleged racial incident shortly after he returned home in 1960. As one story goes, Clay wanted to make a point, so he walked into a unnamed "white only restaurant", proudly wearing his gold medal, and asked to be served.

Given the "Jim Crow" laws of the time, he was refused and asked to leave. Angry, he walked over to the Second Street Bridge and threw the medal into the river. The stories surrounding what actually happened have changed over the years, with Ali even admitting at one point that he simply lost it during a move. The Olympic Committee later replaced the gold medal in 1996.                         

Though he would go on to win titles and become a legend in not just boxing, but in sports in general, was considered an "Ambassador to the World" and a Humanitarian. The black community saw in Ali a thorn to the "white establishment".  Many saw him as a "black man" willing to fight for what he believed, especially when it came to race and equality while others (including veteran minorities) expressed disappointment, citing his unwillingness to fight for a country which had given him much. Like him or hate him, Ali had the class and professionalism to keep his politics out of the sport he loved.

Balancing political expression and sports is a delicate matter. Corporations often pay these celebrity athletes many times more than they receive from their inflated multi-million dollars contracts. However, these same corporations, as well as players, their teams, and the league they play for can take a serious financial hit when these same athletes make unpopular political statements or get in trouble with the law.

Nevertheless, most Americans have no problem with athletes making political statements, even ones they disagree with. However, they need to do it on their own time, not the fans. People attend or tune in to sporting events for the enjoyment of the sport, not to be lectured or watch a political commercial on their time. If athletes want to be political, do it during the off season or before game or after game day. 

Ms. Berry was there to proved she was among the best America had to offer and to represent this country.  She was not there to air her political laundry to the world, nor to take attention away from the success of her teammates, DeAnna Price and Brooke Anderson, who won gold and silver respectively. This is twice she has done this. She knew better, and thus needs to be replaced.  If athletes want to be activists, then do it on their own time, not ours.

 

U.S. Olympian Turns Away From Flag, Covers her Head duringAnthem

Gwen Berry responds to critics of her flag protest: "I never said I hated the country"

Wikipedia: Gwen Berry