At 6:32am EDT on September 21, 2016, I emailed the following to a good friend in law enforcement down in Greater New Orleans, “I woke up this morning to the 5am local news to see Charlotte’s I-85 shut down by protesters overnight in response to yet another Black man killed by (CMPD) police last night…”
At 3:50pm EDT on September 20, 2016, Keith Lamont Scott is shot to death by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) Officer Brentley Vinson. The departed’s daughter Lyric Scott records on Facebook Live from the Village at College Downs apartment complex scene in Northeast Charlotte University City neighborhood, where she emotionally stated the following:
The deadly epidemic of police involved shooting and pursuing public outrage is (N.I.M.B.Y.) Now In My Back Yard, with AFROMATION fiscally based in the Greater Charlotte NC-SC Metropolitan Area for the past seven years. My use of the NIMBY term may have some thinking that I’m saying officer involved shooting of Black men is new to me, new to America. No indeed. What’s new is the outrage over these municipal-capitol killings by Black and Whites. What’s new is the renewed method of silent protest. What’s new is how we are now discussing it on social media.
Between 8.31.16 and 9.12.16, I went on a Facebook posting and commenting spree on the trending topic ‘Colin Kaepernick’, making this the first time in my life that I first leaned of a national issue on social media. The following are examples of my interaction with Non-Americans of Color, who (two of who I served with) I like and respect.
EXCHANGE A – Me and a former Marine Corps Officer #1:
~FB Posting from me on 8.31.16, at 4:00am
BLACK LIVES MATTER? Okay, if I was to proclaim, “MIKE WOODS GRANDDAUGHTERS MATTER!” Would anybody of any race, creed or political persuasion be offended? Of course not. The worst thing they could call me would be “Grandpa Mike (Abuelo Miguel).” The verb definition of the word “Matter” is (be of importance; have significance); as in what matters to me! Hence, in my opinion, anyone who responds with condemnation to the phrase “BLACK LIVES MATTER,” is trampling all over the person who made the statement’s First Amendment (freedoms) rights to be able to proclaim what matters to them. How can a Proud-to-be-American citizen, in a country that has the words “land of the free” in its national anthem, go around dictating what should matter to fellow law-abiding Americans…
~FB Comment from Marine #1 on 8.31.16, at 8:11am
My brother Darryl, all lives matter as you well know…it is a Devine Virtue that needs no explanation. It’s as if to say, the air is free. The term Black Lives Matter, which is as self evident as the air is free, used in the current movement suggest that police as a whole and the general populace do not believe this….that I hope you agree is false….and there you have the rub and the divisiveness.
~FB Comment back from me back to him on 8.31.16, at 8:39am
What I enjoyed the most about my days in the Navy in San Diego was meeting young men and women my age from across the nation. You came up out of suburban Long island, NY I believe. I came up out of urban North Omaha, NE. You and I will always have varying perspectives on various subject matters. This is okay. This is called “diversity.”
~FB Comment back from me back to him on 8.31.16
The thing is though that we are educated men who have the ability, skills and desire to communicate and learn from one another. I will never expect you to completely understand my points of view. The beautiful thing though is that I will always respect yours, and visa versa I’m sure…
~FB Comment back from me back to him on 8.31.16
Now law enforcement, I have many friends and relatives who retired from the force. I respect all those who served and protected. But allow me to ask you this shipm8, have you ever lost a lifelong unarmed law-abiding hardworking family-man friend to police issued bullets? I have. {R.I.H. KEVIN “LaDonna Jennings-Watson” WATSON}
~FB Comment back from me back to him on 8.31.16
As a decorated officer and a gentleman, you know all about America’s role in protecting its smaller allies throughout the world. Saddam Husein roared into Kuwait in ’90 What did your Commander in Chief George HW Bush do in ’91?
~FB Comment back from me back to him on 8.31.16
Unarmed Black men are being shot and killed in epidemic proportions as policy by all colors of law enforcement. I support and lift up any organization who mission and vision is to bring an end to this madness. I believe you would to, for you have already done it as part of your leadership responsibilities in your chosen career
~FB Comment back from Marine #1 back to me on 8.31.16, at 9:32am
Darryl, thank you for your reply. Gratefully, I have never lost an unarmed friend due to excessive police force. I see these episodes on TV, and although in some instances deadly force is necessary, there are times when an alternate course should have been taken; it is evident in those instances the egoic mind has consumed these officers to do horrific things. These officers should be punished! Additionally, as a white male I cannot comprehend the anxiety and fear a black male feels or a black father experiences raising a son. Subsequently, to a great degree I have no right to an opinion. What I choose to believe, which may be anecdotal, is that with over 800,000 men in women in blue, there will be rouge officers that do horrific things. However, the vast majority are good people whose calling is to serve the public. It was no different in the Armed Forces; that’s why I joined the Corps….we were all GREEN! Love you brother!
~FB Comment from me back to him on 8.31.16, at 9:40am
One last thought Mark Rubino, you do and will always have the right to your opinion on any subject matter. We are just comparing life notes, is all. Amen!
EXCHANGE B – Me and my personal Facebook account Friends:
~FB Posting from me on 9.7.16, at 10:50pm
I’M READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL! Being a lifelong RAIDERS fan, I always root AGAINST the other 3 AFC West teams: Broncos, Chargers & Chiefs. Also, I am over the reigning league MVP’s “????” performance in Super Bowl 50. I realize the NFL is an entertainment empire first, pro sports league second. Thursday night, BEAT BRONCOS! Now, the 800 lb AFRO in the room belonging to Colin Kaepernick? Below is a link to blog I just published ( “THE KAEPERNICK FB THREAD: FADE TO BLACK” ), that was inspired by a Facebook Friend’s Sept 2nd status update thread that started out being about the Pledge of Allegiance; and ended up being about Mr. Kaepernick. In the 12th hour of a 14-hour long group discussion, a “Liberal” American male of European descent FB Member joined in and went counterclockwise on US. I recently asked a FB Friend to define what “Liberal” means in 2016? Her response was, “A Hillary Supporter.” Okay… Well, let’s get to the kickoff one mile high. I’M READY TO BE ENTERTAINED!
~FB Posting from me on 9.8.16, at 12:57pm
After my “LITERAL” Sept 2nd cyber encounter with the “LIBERAL” man who crashed my FB Friends thread full of professional women of color with disdain and disrespect (as you will read in the above blog link), I now realize one major cause & effect on African Americans during the Obama Administration(s). Black Democratic Americans are no longer considered or referred to as LIBERAL. They’re considered “OBAMA AMERICANS,” or something like that, in my opinion. I say “they” because I’m not a card carrying member of any political party; not even the Independents. Now there’s nothing wrong with being an OBAMA AMERICAN. My whole point is that I now believe I know why so many Left leaning non-People of Color are having such a problem with the #BlackLivesMatter Movement. There been split…
~FB Posting from me on 9.8.16, at 4:12pm Now how and when, in my constitutionally protected opinion, did Liberal America kick Black America out? Could the seeds have been sown on July 19, 2013, when President Obama first spoke out about the Trayvon Martin killing; a move that many say directly led to the #BlackLivesMatterMovement??
EXCHANGE C – Me and a former Marine Corps Officer #2:
~FB Post from him on 9.12.16, Monday evening
TONIGHT, ESPN will air the 49ers vs Rams. Colin Kaepernick has vowed to sit during the National Anthem again, even in the remembrance of 9/11. That’s his right, and we have the right not to watch this disgraceful BS. Who will join in choosing not to watch the game to show the NFL and TV networks that we will not stand for this behavior?
~FB Comment from me on 9.14.16, Monday evening one hour later
I’ll join you, and I support CK. Think about it. If the entire nation joined us, we’d be helping his protest. NFL is not a professionally “sports” league. It’s a professionally “entertainment” league. Big money being generationg{sp} by a league whose entertainers are approx 75% my complextion{sp}. If the advertisers find out ain’t nobody watching, police killing of unarmed men who look like me would halt! So, I’m with you. I’ve shared my motives. Let’s spread this. If you go to my wall, you’ll see where last week I threantened{sp} to do what you’re calling for now. I’m posting this from South Carolina (suburban Charlotte), a state where they protested and took a stand to British tyrany{sp} (killings of unarmed men who look like you) approx 250 years ago. Today, what do we call those who protested and stood up back then? Patriots! Well, I have a bunch of South Park episodes on my DVR. They crack me up. I’ll watch then for the the next four hours. I’m in!!
EXCHANGE D – Me and a Jefferson Parish (LA) Sheriff’s Office official:
~Text message (reply to my “I AM COLIN KAEPERNICK“) from him on 9.12.16 at 5:45pm
…I like the 49ers, but I don’t like him.
~Text response from me on 9.12.16 at 8:39pm
I’m CK, not because of whar{sp} he’s protesting Colonel, rather the ave(nue) he’s chosen to protest; the Natl Anthem. I’m a direct descendant of Louisiana ‘Woods’ slaves. I’m not down for ANY anthem, book, code, law written before the 1865 ratification of the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery…
Today, on the 9.22.16 edition of Fox & Friends, while clarifying his recently proposed ‘Stop-and-Frisk’ Policy for Chicago, Donald Trump said:
“It’s very divided, our country… It just seems that there’s a lack of spirit between the white and the black… There’s a lack of spirit. There’s a lack of something, something’s going on that’s bad and what’s going on between police and others is getting worse.”
Something bad going on? Mr. Trump, as they say down in New Orleans, “You got that right!” However, on the subject of Black & White spirit, I submit my above conversational transcripts to show that if there is mutual respect, mutual good spirit is always attainable; e.g., good spirit.
I served in the Navy back in the early 80s with both men who went on to become Marine Corps officers; and I’m very proud of both of them. My Marine #1 FB thread ended with brotherly love. My interaction with the second Marine touched me as well. Prior to commenting on Marine #2’s FB wall, I was saying to myself, “Don’t do it M.D. Woods, don’t do it, don’t do it!” I couldn’t stop myself and posted my comment that started off with, “I’ll join you, and I support CK (Colin Kaepernick)…”
He made three key points on his response to me:
Colin Kaepernick has the right to not stand for the National Anthem.
Marine #2 has the right to show his displeasure by voting with his dollar.
His last words were, “I love you brother.”
I immediately replied to Marine #2 with, “I love you too man.” He then replied back with an image of a Marine saluting while facing away. And finally, I replied back with, “I stand with you.”
I did “Sit-Out” the Rams-49ers MNF game, in solidarity with my fellow veterans; instead, watching South Park’s 20th season premier. If I thought the cartoon was going to take my mind off the national anthem, Comedy Central had another thing coming for me. It turned out that the Season 20, Episode 1 “Member Berries” was all about the National Anthem protest, lol! I was amazed at how current Team South Park was.
Okay, it’s now NFL Week Two, and in a rarity in the Charlotte TV market my beloved Oakland Raiders are playing, the opponent being the Atlanta Falcons. I’m feeling good. The Raiders were looking good. Then, with about six minutes left in the First Quarter, a car ad commercial ran using the word “Respect” nine times. WTF!
GenesisUSA “Respect Anthem” Transcript
WE BELIEVE IN RESPECT FOR TRADITION
…FOR NATURE’S POWER
WE RESPECT COMPETITION
…BECAUSE IT BRINGS OUT OUR VERY BEST
RESPECT FOR IDEAS
…AND STANDING FOR SOMETHING BIGGER THAN OURSELVES
WE RESPECT LIVES IN ALL FORMS
…AND BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS
WE RESPECT DESIGN, AND CREATIVITY
…THEY REMIND US THAT WE ARE UNIQUE BEINGS …WHOSE CREATIONS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
WE RESPECT TIME
…BECAUSE WE KNOW IT’S THE MOST VALUABLE THING HUMANS POSSESS
RESPECT DISPLAYS THE BEST OF WHO WE ARE
…BECAUSE RESPECT SEES ANOTHER AS WORTHY OF OUR TIME …WORTHY OF THE VERY BEST WE CAN GIVE
Introducing Genesis
IN A WORLD SCRAMBLING TO PUT ITSELF FIRST, RESPECT IS A BREATHE OF FRESH LUXURY
In June ’15, this multinational corporation founded by Chung Ju-yung in ’47, replaced General Motors as the top automaker sponsor of America pro football by signing a four-year deal with the NFL.
“We are huge football fans at Hyundai and feel there is no better venue to reach consumers, increase consideration and tell the Hyundai brand story,” Hyundai Motor America CEO Dave Zuchowski said in the statement. “We can’t wait to show the NFL’s 188 million fans the great design, advanced technologies, dynamic performance and numerous safety features within the Hyundai lineup.”
Well, maybe I am just 1:188,000,000, who was appalled at the commercial. A South Korean corporation’s multi-million dollar ad campaign, in my opinion, is responding to Colin Kaepernick and all like-minded Americans for “dis-respecting” the American sporting “tradition” of the National Anthem. Can you say subliminal messaging on steroids? Show me the Hyundai Genesis 80’s advance technologies. Please don’t school, scold or shame law-abiding Americans for exercising their First Amendment rights to peacefully dissent! This ain’t South or North Korea.
Today, I really feel my Marine #2 friend who was moved to vote with his dollar during the Rams-49ers MNF game last week; for I now have a bad taste in my mouth for the NFL and Hyundai. It’s all good though. It’s all American; the land of the free and home of the brave. We all have rights. And, just because I do have a bad taste, it doesn’t mean I need to bad mouth an automaker or professional entertainment-sporting league. Besides, in the United States of America, it is illegal discriminate against a person/group because their message is offensive; e.g., Ku Klux Klan or Colin Kaepernick.
Maybe I’m looking at this with two too sensitive eyes. Maybe when Hyundai says, “WE RESPECT LIVES IN ALL FORMS, AND BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS,” they are referring to #BlackLivesMatter. Maybe not, for the above “Respect Anthem” clip appears to have been uploaded to GenesisUSA’s YouTube account on 9.9.16, by Hyundai. There it is! However, in Lincoln there is no mistaking what the University of Nebraska is saying in response to this growing nationwide peaceful protest against the police killings of Black men, that has reached and touched their storied football program:
“It’s a free country. They don’t have to play football for the university either…They know better, and they had better be kicked off the team. They won’t take the risk to exhibit their free speech in a way that places their circumstance in jeopardy, so let them get out of uniform and do their protesting on somebody else’s nickel.”
-U. of Nebraska Regent (former Omaha Mayor & NE 2nd District Congressman) Hal Daub
Anyways, speaking of brave, right now the bravest man I know is Colin Kaepernick. How many of us would essentially torpedo millions in future NFL earnings to stand up for what you believe. He, too, is voting with is wallet.
Okay, alright, it’s gonna be like this now. Hmm. well, later on that Sunday afternoon, I watched a DVR recording of the San Francisco 49ers 47-26 loss to the Carolina Panthers at Bank America Stadium in Uptown Charlotte. A few days later, ESPN.com posted, “Poll: Niners QB Colin Kaepernick most disliked player in league,” ranking him ahead of Jameis Winston, Ndamukong Suh, Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger.
Niners coach Chip Kelly told reporters on August 27, 2016, that Kaepernick’s decision not to stand during the national anthem is “his right as a citizen” and said “it’s not my right to tell him not to do something.”
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.” Now is it just me, or are you all also reminded of Muhammad Ali’s comments and protests of the War in Vietnam after reading the 49ers QB’s quotes? Another brave American.
Two days after the Mr. Kaepernick and the 49ers flew out of CLT back to SFO this past Sunday, what he was peacefully and silently pretesting happens again, then again. This time the War on Black Men in America is publically Now In My Back Yard of Tulsa (Terence Crutcher, killed 9/16 by TPD) and Charlotte (Keith Lamont Scott, killed 9/20 by CMPD). Damn. Damn!
ALL AMERICAN CITIZENS’ RIGHTS MATTER…
In summation, what does the current Hyundai Genesis NFL ad campaign, the recent social media interaction with my old Navy shipmates and Roger Snowden’s trollish-like literary assault on the Facebook wall of a Friend of mine all have in coming? (Subliminal, brotherly and lack of) R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Myself, for the past ten or so years, I’ve been muting the television during the traditional pre-game signing of the National Anthem. I never really thought about why it affected me in that way. Today, I know. Nevertheless, if I’m blessed to check another item off my bucket list by attending one more Raiders game in person at the Oakland Alameda County Stadium, I will stand for the National Anthem. I stand with my shipmates and all veterans. Why do I stand? To show support for those who serve(d), protect(ed) and dissent(ed). I stand so Colin Kaepernick and the entire Indiana Fever basketball team can kneel. Why do I mute from home? That’s my right. That’s my issue. That’s my pain. Thank God I live in America. With a mind like mine, I definitely would have been rounded up Argentina style and marched into a football stadium decades ago. Okay, now, what are we going to do about the killing of boys and men who look like me?
It’s currently 9:53pm EDT on September 22, 2016, and I’m watching CNN’s AC360. Anderson Cooper just asked CNN correspondent Boris Sanchez, “…do the protesters, are they aware of this curfew that’s going to take place in about two hours?” Mr. Sanchez, being the professional that he is, is thoroughly answering the question while walking backwards among the people of Charlotte. Two minutes later, a large Black man passes Sanchez, and turns back into the camera shot to simply show off a logo on his t-shirt. Anderson Cooper blurts out, “Ah, Boris, I’m worried about you walking backwards. You’re doing it very well, but I’m worried about you.” After ten seconds of air time, the large Black man turns back forward and walks ahead along with everyone else, while Mr. Sanchez simultaneously tells Anderson Cooper, “We’ve got guys that are watching my back.” Why does this fear of a Black man sound so familiar?
Now In My Back Yard. Whose backyard, interstate, business district, stadium will this deadly epidemic land in tomorrow? Stop killing us! R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
I posted the following on my Facebook Wall at 11:34am EDT on September 3, 2016, “Good Morning FB. I’ve served my country, my community, my family, my faith. If the San Francisco 49ers cut Colin Kaepernick for taking a stance, for ascertaining his First Amendment rights to freedom of expression, I will be boycotting any and everything to do with the NFL. Thank God my Nebraska Cornhuskers are in the NCAA. Good Day/Weekend FB.” The National Anthem and Colin Kaepernick are now all over my Facebook News Feed.
Now fired up, it was my Facebook Friend Jackie Barfield whose wall caught my eye and gave me an opportunity to exchange, share and vent. What you see below is me jumping in like a game of double dutch jump rope. The other literary rope jumpers were mostly professional women of color. The Pledge of Allegiance was the primary topic, and everything was going fine until 10:24pm Friday night when another man named Roger Snowden chimed in in dissent.
The following is a transcript of an eyeopening conversational thread from Facebook Friend Jackie Barfield’s wall; a woman whom I have never had the pleasure of meeting in person.
The Anthem, Allegiance and the First Amendment – Part 1
Jackie Barfield (SEPTEMBER 2 at 9:49am): Colin Kaepernick has me studying the history of the pledge of allegiance and the case law that has followed it. As children we just follow suit, but as adults we are conscious thinkers and are given the right to not to salute the flag. Even children don’t have to in school anymore so why the big uproar now? “Pledge of Allegiance statutes, state by state.”
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:26am): “I pledge allegiance, to the flag, of the United States of America.” I’ve had a problem with that for the past 20 years. When I looked back on it as adult, I felt like I was being indoctrinated against my will. And no hand over the heart? The was a corporal punishment offense at Mt. View ES back in the early 70s.
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:30am): They were beating the pledge of allegiance into us younguns!
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:36am): faded Principal Mrs. Randall. Yep. Back then, our parents stayed out of it.
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 11:07am): A few days ago, a good friend of mine was telling me about the Omaha Nelson Mandela School where here grandaughter attends; that they have their own morning pledge that has nothing to do with the US government. I’m waiting on her to send me the video of her granddaughter doing the pledge so I can write a blog on it. http://nelsonmandelaelementary.org/
Nakecia Bowers (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:25am): I’m been protesting since childhood. I just didn’t believe in the words. My grandma told me to just stand and pray instead so I don’t get in trouble. I also am more likely to sing lift ever voice.
Diane J. Greenfield (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:30am): For me, as a Christian who respects people of all faiths or no faith and who believes we are all (the world) connected and I am grateful to live in this country with all his freedoms but also its imperfections (certainly not exceptional) the pledge bothers me. Christianity and patriotism have become one in too many minds and I do not wrap myself in the flag with a Bible in one hand and a gun in the other. My allegiance is to God, not country.
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:31am): Right and this was my issue with the pledge in elementary school. I felt like this was against what I was being taught so that’s why my grandma said to pray.
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:40am): Negro National Anthem composer and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Executive Secretary 1920-1930
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:47am): There was nothing uplifting for me in Francis Scott Key Star Spangle Banner and/or whomever composed the pledge of allegience. I’m not motivated by song, book, pledge or law composed, written, dictated or passed before the passage of the 13th Amendment in 1865, abolishing slavery.
Nakecia Bowers (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:43am): I agree
Brenda Watkins (SEPTEMBER 2 at 1:13pm): As small children we didn’t know…we just knew it was done within the first hour after arriving at school
Diane J. Greenfield (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:30am): I was glad when my church made the decision to remove the flags from the sanctuary, they do not belong there.
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 11:31am): Separation of church and state!
Deloris McNair (SEPTEMBER 2 at 12:01pm): I love having a lawyer in the family.
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 12:12pm): Jackie Barfield, I got caught up on your timely topics I forget why I stopped by your common wall in the first place. The following is an open letter I snailed mailed to the Baltimore Police Dept. last month.
Jackie Barfield (SEPTEMBER 2 at 1:22pm): Good job Mr. Woods!
Valentina Saaverdra (SEPTEMBER 2 at 12:46pm): I am a proud Chicana, and with that comes a great love for this country. It frustrates me when people talk about this country like it is such a horrible place. The US is not perfect, but it sure ain’t Mexico, let alone North Korea.
Having said that, I am so proud of Kaepernick for making such a bold statement in an absolutely peaceful way. And I think it was a very American thing for him to do, to exercise his right to free speech.
Anyone who is offended by his choice to make a stand for a cause that is so real and so shameful of the US is way too egotistical if you ask me. His actions and statements were not only harmless to anyone with differing opinions, but he supported his stand eloquently and intelligently.
Brenda Watkins (SEPTEMBER 2 at 1:33pm): Blacks, Browns, Irish, Jews, and Chinese have had some time have gone through the racist hate door. But Afro Americans seem to still going around and around. At least well not I know of, have been told they were second class citizens. No other race has been separated from family and denied their history as in removable of any traces of any misconducts and because of this the hate continues and whites can tell/slant he story the way they want and with no evidence or proof…wellll. So I can see why you have no problem in your thoughts but one more thing, your ancestries were not in America. The poor unlearned Caucasians didn’t like the idea that Africa was rich and ruled themselves just fine thank you. So for centuries of hate for all Afro Americans
Valentina Saaverdra (SEPTEMBER 2 at 12:46pm): I wish I had the money to be as outspoken and brave as him on social justice issues lol.
Jackie Barfield (SEPTEMBER 2 at 1:24pm): Doesn’t take money, just heart. He stand to lose a lot in the wrong climate..
Valentina Saaverdra (SEPTEMBER 2 at 2:10pm): I feel like I’m not financially secure enough to not offend potential clients hahaha!.
Jackie Barfield (SEPTEMBER 2 at 2:11pm): Right! Go under a pen name. Lol!
Jackie Barfield (SEPTEMBER 2 at 2:12pm): You’d be surprised you might get a whole other group of clients and keep the ones you have.
Valentina Saaverdra (SEPTEMBER 2 at 2:24pm): You’re right. But the people are not my clientele, attorneys are. I’m an undercover minority. Haha!! I think minorities would be surprised at how racist people really are. I call myself a cultural liaison.
Valentina Saaverdra (SEPTEMBER 2 at 12:46pm): ???????? there’s a lot of truth to that!.
Danny Barfield Sr (SEPTEMBER 2 at 2:56pm): Speak Sister
Cynthia Taylor (SEPTEMBER 2 at 4:46pm): I remember when I was in grade school there were parents that didn’t want there children to participate in the pledge of allegiance so everymorning they would sit outside the class room until it was over and they weren’t of color
The Anthem, Allegiance and the First Amendment – Part 2
Roger Snowden (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:24pm): The uproar is because some ignorant fool decided to make a spectacle out of himself by disrespecting the traditions of others.
Valentina Saaverdra (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:29pm): I don’t understand how him not participating in others traditions as a way to peacefully exercise his right to free speech can be constituted as disrespectful.
Roger Snowden (SEPTEMBER 2 at 11:35pm): Pig Socks.
Valentina Saaverdra (SEPTEMBER 2 at 12:46pm): I don’t understand that either.
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:36pm): Mr. Snowden, I maybe an “ignorant fool” too. Nevertheless, please direct me to where I can find the word “Tradition” in the Constitution. If you can’t, then you “may” be an ignorant fool like me and whomever you were referring to originally as the ignorant fool.
Jackie Barfield (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:37pm): Roger Snowden so anyone who doesn’t salute the flag is an “ignorant fool”, no matter what the reason for doing so..
Roger Snowden (SEPTEMBER 2 at 11:31pm): No, please don’t assume my thinking is so two dimensional.
He happens to be an attention-starved fool, that is all. Merely echoing a current popular sentiment.
I would love to hear him articulate the concept of American Exceptionalism, rather than spout some ignorant tripe so he can be applauded as “courageous”, when he is in fact weak.
Jackie Barfield (SEPTEMBER 3 at 5:09am): No he’s using his celebrity for justice. He never claimed to be a scholar, just a citizen standing up for what he believes is the right thing to do. If he wasn’t rich and famous we wouldn’t even be having this discussion.
Jackie Barfield (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:41pm): I’m thinking the “traditions of others” are the reason that we can’t move past the injustices and racist attitudes and treatment dished out to people of color.
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:42pm): I want to know where it says in the Constitution where an American citizen must bow down to OTHERS traditions!
Roger Snowden (SEPTEMBER 2 at 11:34pm)
Jackie Barfield (SEPTEMBER 3 at 5:36am): Roger Snowden you are protesting too late. You should have voiced your objection years ago:
“After divisive court battles, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an eloquent ruling in 1943, which is the prevailing law today, assuring students they do not have to recite or participate in the Pledge of Allegiance. The pledge under dispute in the case was accompanied by a “stiff-arm” salute. Students who did not salute were found guilty of “insubordination” and could be expelled. The Court ruled such abuses unconstitutional.
“If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein.
“We think the actions
of the local authorities in compelling the flag salute and pledge transcends constitutional limitations on their power and invades the sphere of intellect and spirit which it is the purpose of the First Amendment to our Constitution to reserve from all official control.”
West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943)”
Jackie Barfield (SEPTEMBER 3 at 5:41am): You do have the right to withhold your money. But fortunately for him there are many others that love sports more than his stance. Imagine if all of the athletes kneeled. Oh my, what would the sports fans do?
Roger Snowden (SEPTEMBER 3 at 10:03am): Jackie Barfield Jackie, I have yet to dispute his right. I just express my own opinion. Which I presume is my right as well.
Paulette KK Grey (SEPTEMBER 3 at 11:14am): Great research Mom Jackie Barfield!
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:49pm): I have a tradition of celebrating Kwanzaa. If you Mr. Snowden refuse to sing the Negro National Anthem with me and us during a Kwanzaa Celebration, are you then some ignorant fool?
Roger Snowden (SEPTEMBER 2 at 11:32pm): No, because I know the fallacious history of Kwanzaa..
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 11:40pm)
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 11:42pm): You must have heard, and would choose not to participate, which I ALREADY KNOW IS YOUR CONSTUTIONAL RIGHTS.
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 11:43pm): Are you with me Mr. Snowden?
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 11:46pm): The National Anthem was composed during a time when whatever Dr. Karenga did, take it times 100. Black female slaves being raped.
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 11:47pm): Take what he did times 1,000,000
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 11:49pm): Ten million over the past 400 years
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 11:53pm): I’m focusing on rape because of your reasoning for not taking part in a Kwanzaa Celebration during the Negro National Anthem…which was composed by a man who to my knowledge was an upstanding citizen. James Weldon Johnson, the NAACP Exec Dir from 1920-1930.
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 11:55pm): Getting back to Colin Kaepernick. I support him for his taking a stance against injustice. You took a stance against the convicted rapist Dr. Karenga. You feel what I’m saying here Mr. Snowden?
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 11:59pm)
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 3 at 12:01am): My I suggest you take a day or two to think about your experience on this thread, then come on back. It just turned midnight here in Charlotte. Today is my birthday Mr. Snowden. I’m out!
Roger Snowden (SEPTEMBER 3 at 12:11pm): Mykl D. Woods If Kaepernick took a meaningful stance against the record violent crime in Chicago. Or the miserably failing schools in Omaha, I might have some respect for him. But when he takes a mindless position that happens to be fashionable, he is nothing.
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 3 at 12:15am): When a man chooses to take a stance against the national anthem, its because of a national issue.
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 3 at 12:15am): Wouldn’t you agree
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 3 at 12:18am): The national issue he is jeopardizing his entire big money making career against is the governmental shooting and killing of black men.
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 3 at 12:19am): Have you ever lost someone close to you to a police issue bullet Mr. Snowden?
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 3 at 12:20am):I have, and that was back in the late 80s
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 3 at 12:25pm)Gotta go man. It’s my birthday now. Folks are calling. You have a great Labor Day Weekend Mr. Snowden. I’d like for you to form your own opinions and views by communicating with people like us on this thread. Nobody cursed you out. Nobody disrespected you. Now, we on this end expect nothing less from you. Alright. I’m out!
Roger Snowden (SEPTEMBER 2 at 12:46pm)Mykl D. Woods That poem had absolutely nothing to do with black female slaves. It was about surviving a battle with the greatest military power on Earth using a new weapon. That military power had repeatedly kidnapped and impressed our seamen and forced them to fight against their own country, and the author alluded to this in a stanza of the poem.
Roger Snowden (SEPTEMBER 3 at 10:09am)
M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:46pm): Or are you protected by the Constitution’s First Ammendment?
Jackie Barfield (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:50pm): People really need to take this opportunity to look deeper and realize it’s not his not saluting that’s the problem, but his audacity to speak to power and say I don’t like how this country allows rogue cops to kill innocent black people with absolutely no consequences. So let’s tell the truth about it. Now this is only my humble opinion.
Jackie Barfield (SEPTEMBER 2 at 10:51pm): I think Roger Snowden faded to black
Roger Snowden (SEPTEMBER 2 at 11:23pm): Eh?
Renee McGee Whitley (SEPTEMBER 5 at 7:12pm): Amen
M.D. Woods tweets, “I AM COLIN KAEPERNICK” @afromation
The Snowden Aftermath Text Messages
Jackie Barfield to M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 3 at 5:01am): Happy Birthday!
Jackie Barfield to M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 3 at 5:22am): You killed Roger with words. He couldn’t handle you at all so he said nothing until he thought you were gone. Wow! You are a bad man common! I am more impressed
Jackie Barfield to M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 4 at 7:23am): I hope you enjoyed your birthday.
M.D. Woods to Jackie Barfield (SEPTEMBER 4 at 3:21pm): I sho did. I really enjoyed exercising my (un)common mind on your wall. Thanks JB!
Jackie Barfield to M.D. Woods (SEPTEMBER 4 at 3:59pm): You should really do that more often. We need more intelligent men to stand up to these “objectors” on FB. You shut him down with a simple question.
“When it comes to the flag and the national anthem and the meaning that holds for our men and women in uniform and those who fought for us — that is a tough thing for them to get past,” President Barack Obama said. “But I don’t doubt his sincerity. I think he cares about some real, legitimate issues that have to be talked about. If nothing else, he’s generated more conversation about issues that have to be talked about.“
Yes indeed. I, myself, am still analyzing the data from my interaction with Mr. Snowden. We both were probably in a Friday evening chill mode, which could be good or bad when debating national issues. I think he may have even come around. What has me SMH is that it shouldn’t take a master debater to get Americans of other backgrounds to respect people of color’s backgrounds, experiences and constitutional rights; e.g., R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
I thank Facebook Friend Jackie Barfield for allowing me to share this blog, which is based off a her publicly viewed Facebook thread and private personal text messages, as a teaching tool.
Earlier this month I posted the blog “First American,” in response to the 2014 Boston Marathon news coverage of the men’s winner Meb Keflezighi. I was rejoicing that a person of color was being identified by his/her American nationality instead of their ethnicity. Well, this morning as I opened up the Charlotte Observer, I see the name and photo of Wendell Scott, who appears in the Sports Legends section of AFROMATION: 366 Days of American History. He was just named into the 2014 Inductee class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina.
With it being 2014, I didn’t even open the paper. I went straight to Google, typed in Wendell-Scott-NASCAR and tapped enter. A Los Angeles Times online edition, “Wendell Scott among inductees into NASCAR Hall of Fame.” article was among the top search returns. Everything seemed Boston Marathon-like in its reporting so far. They had a great picture of Mr. Scott. Then I looked down at the caption and saw, “Wendell Scott became the first African American to race full time in NASCAR’s top series. He raced from 1961-73. (Associated Press).”
Yes, the jig was up. It appears that Meb Keflezighi’s victory was just an anomaly, and that the normal journalistic standards for covering people of color were back in effect. The irony is that Mr. Scott’s hue was a dozen or so shades lighter than the East African-born Mr. Keflezighi. Hmm, can you say passe blanc? My mother posed a thought-provoking question; did the stock car racing associations know Mr. Scott was “African-American” back in the sixties when he was racing?
Back to the Boston coverage; today I have so much on my plate, but one day I do plan to ask the reporters and their media outlets why they all chose to call Mr. Keflezighi the “first American Boston Marathon winner since”…whenever?
Well, putting all that aside, Wendell Scott was the man. One of my favorite movies from back in the day was Grease Lightening (1977), starring Richard Pryor, Beau Bridges, Pam Grier and Clevon Little.
Back then I only knew a fraction of what I know today about Black History. ROOTS, which also debuted in 1977, was about the size of it. But anyways, congratulations to the Scott Family on the recognition of a pioneering American. It’s all about recognizing…
March 26, 2014, marked the twentieth anniversary of the Afromation Movement to Integrate American History. One of the many things I had on my celebration to-do list was to write a blog to help commemorate this milestone. Procrastination kicked in as I was looking for a specific topic to blog. Then on April 21st it hit me like a ton of bricks. All evening long I kept hearing reports that an American won the Men’s Boston Marathon. What ?! I thought to myself, “Did they ban all the East African runners?” So what do we do in the 21st Century? We google.
Boston Globe: “American Meb Keflezighi wins Boston Marathon”; USAToday: “American Meb Keflezighi won Boston Marathon”; Huffington Post: “’The Star-Spangled Banner’ played over Boylston Street in honor of an American winner of the Boston Marathon”; CNN: “The First American man to win the Boston Marathon since 1983 crossed the finish line Monday.” Yahoo: “Meb Keflezighi on Monday became the first U.S. male athlete to win the Boston Marathon in three decades…” CBS News: “Keflezighi becomes the first American to win world’s oldest marathon in 20 years.” And Fox News, New York Daily News, and NPR all followed suit. I, too, felt a sense of pride for so many reasons. I congratulate you Mr. Keflezighi. What an amzing human feat (feet).
Let me tell you what’s really on my mind. I felt a sense of shock and suspicion because of the universal use of the term “first American” to describe a man who was born in East Africa. I didn’t and I still don’t know what to say. I had a similar moment on Election Day back in Nov. ’08 when the race was called for Sen. Barrack Obama. I was like could this be real? Well, as we all know, it was very real and Barrack Obama is still our President.
Let me get to my point. Not long after launching Afromation twenty years ago, I made it my mission to provide energy and knowledge to help this nation get to the point where we are all called Americans; no matter what the skin tone.
Here is my problem. If you go to Wikipedia Susan Rice you will find, “…the first African American woman to represent the U.S. at the UN.” If you Wikipedia Condoleezza Rice, right off the bat in the third line you will find, “…first female African-American secretary of state, as well as the second African American secretary of state.” Do you see where I’m going with this?
Now this US obsession of making sure your ethnicity is attached to your name is not just a main stream media policy. In a blog written by the Color Lines: News for Action’s political correspondent Brentin Mock and posted on June 5, 2013, the headline reads “Susan Rice Becomes Third African American to Lead National Security.” In another article written by Perry Green, and posted by Afro.com on April 6, 2014, the headline reads, “NCAA Final Four-Men—Kevin Ollie (UConn) Could become Fourth Black Coach to Win Title.”
So here we have two very very accomplished, intelligent, prominent women; one a DC native and the other a Birmingham native, who in 2014 are still being described by their ethnicity. Eritrea-native Mr. Keflezighi, an amazing and accomplished person as well, has in some way moved the American mainstream media to describe him by his nationality, “AMERICAN.”
I started off back in 1994 as an idealist and optimist. Along the way I picked up a dose or two of cynicism. Today, I will pray that my suspicions are unfounded and that a major change in America has occurred. Maybe this isn’t real. Nevertheless, it feels good. And at the very least, the coverage of your victory in Boston Mr. Keflezighi has set a precedent. I am moved as well by you Mr. Keflezighi. So touched that what was supposed to have been a simple commemorative blog posting has now evolved into an additional web page that will highlight my twenty year Afromation Timeline.
To quote the 18th Century Irish political philosopher Edmund Burke, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Well, this timeline is dedicated to all the good men and women from across America who over the past twenty years helped me to help us to help change the world. I appreciate you all. I thank you as well my fellow American Mr. Keflezighi for inspiring me keep moving FORWARD. There is always the next amazing race.
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Black Democratic Americans are no longer considered or referred to as LIBERAL. They’re considered “OBAMA AMERICANS,” or something like that, in my opinion. I say “they” because I’m not a card carrying member of any political party; not even the Independents. Now there’s nothing wrong with being an OBAMA AMERICAN. My whole point is that I now believe I know why so many Left leaning non-People of Color are having such a problem with the #BlackLivesMatter Movement. There been split…
Now how and when, in my constitutionally protected opinion, did Liberal America kick Black America out? Could the seeds have been sown on July 19, 2013, when President Obama first spoke out about the Trayvon Martin killing; a move that many say directly led to the #BlackLivesMatterMovement??
