#TakeAKnee

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This weekend was incredible.

I am admittedly not the biggest sports fan, however, I think could be an understatement when I say that I have, especially after this weekend, developed major respect for those in the spotlight of our sports.

It all started like most drama does now in this country, from the White House. With one tweet, 45 secured his spot as the most childish President the nation has seen in its two centuries, where he uninvited Steph Curry to the White House following his team's win of the NBA championship. Following the tweet , 45, in typical 45 style, held a rally where he addressed sports, particularly those member s of the NFL who chose to protest by taking a knee, saying:

“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these N.F.L. owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, out, he’s fired!’ You know, some owner is going to do that. He’s gonna say, ‘That guy disrespects our flag, he’s fired.’ And that owner, they don’t know it. They don’t know it. They’re friends of mine, many of them. They don’t know it. They’ll be the most popular person, for a week. They’ll be the most popular person in the country.”

Eyeroll.

But, then, something amazing happened. Following the ignorant, childish, and divisive words from 45 this weekend, I and the whole nation, witnessed something incredible.

We saw Lebron James defend Steph Curry, once fierce rivals on the basketball court coming together to denounce ignorance.
We saw a baseball player be one of the first to take a stand by taking a knee.
We witnessed NFL Teams, Coaches, and Owners of every ethnicity taking a knee, linking arms together in solidarity, or refusing to take the field at all during the anthem.



We saw not one, but 2 different artists take knees during their performances of the anthem.
We watch celebrities used their voices and platforms to address the statements made by 45:



Even cultural treasure, Stevie Wonder, during his concert, took time to address the bigger issue and took a knee.

There was a widespread response to 45's words in such a visible, tangible, and memorable way.

No, this is not about an anthem, even through within its lyrics are written murderous threats to the ancestors of those who most populate sports teams today. No, this is not about a flag. This is about the very visible punishment of a player, Colin Kaepernick, who STILL remains unsigned, for taking a very quiet, but very bold stance in kneeling during the national anthem in protest of continual un-condemned violence and injustice against people of color in this country.

That is why we kneel. That is why we link arms. That is why we protest. For the same thing our grandparents protested; the right to being treated as human beings. Period.

In the face of such a showing of togetherness, I ask now what?

Yes, it is good for us to show solidarity on the fields and on social media, but why not also about we show solidarity in the streets? Why not also confront our friends and colleagues for that offensive joke. Why not also stand up to our parents when they say snide comments? Why not also correct our children's behavior if we see it becoming exclusive to others? Why not vote, especially at the smallest levels, to empower those who will empower the types of communities we all want to see?

Why not?

No, I am not sure that today's display will continue into the months to come, or even through the football season.

What I am sure of is this: every time 45 speaks in division, we, the people, take a stand, or a knee in unity.

Fight on, y'all.

And thanks Kaepernick for starting it all.
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