Post by robeiae on Jun 5, 2020 9:19:14 GMT -5
Drew Brees--QB of the New Orleans Saints--did an interview with Yahoo! Finance on Wednesday. From it:
Not that Brees never said that players--or anyone else can't choose to kneel in protest, he just said that he personally doesn't agree with the choice. But of course, that didn't matter. The condemnations came fast and furiously, including from his own teammates. Predictably, Brees issued an apology:
Okay. I don't know that I agree with the need for an apology from him--he's allowed to have his own views on the matter, informed by his own personal history--but an NFL player has to do what he has to do, from a PR perspective.
But apparently, for some people the apology isn't enough: www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/nancy-armour/2020/06/04/george-floyd-drew-brees-needs-do-more-than-apologize-comments/3144320001/
And on, and on, and on...
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, long seen as a leader in the league, posted a black square to his Instagram account on Tuesday for #BlackOutTuesday, and posted again on Wednesday, saying in part, “There is a saying in every locker room I have been in... Don’t just talk about it, be about it. Acknowledge the problem, and accept the fact that we all have a responsibility to make it better.”
But Brees does not support the idea of the kneeling protests returning.
“I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America,” Brees said.
Both of Brees’ grandfathers fought for the U.S. military in WWII, he added. “So every time I stand with my hand over my heart, looking at that flag and singing the national anthem, that’s what I think about… thinking about all that has been sacrificed, not just those in the military, but for that matter, those throughout the civil rights movement of the 60s. And all that has been endured by so many people. And is everything right with our country right now? No, it’s not. We still have a long way to go. But I think what you do by standing there and showing respect to the flag with your hand over your heart is it shows unity. It shows that we are all in this together, we can all do better, and we are all part of the solution.”
Brees has indicated the same feelings about the anthem protests in the past. In 2016, he said he supported Kaepernick’s right to protest, but disagreed with the method of the protest, because the American flag is “sacred.”
But Brees does not support the idea of the kneeling protests returning.
“I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America,” Brees said.
Both of Brees’ grandfathers fought for the U.S. military in WWII, he added. “So every time I stand with my hand over my heart, looking at that flag and singing the national anthem, that’s what I think about… thinking about all that has been sacrificed, not just those in the military, but for that matter, those throughout the civil rights movement of the 60s. And all that has been endured by so many people. And is everything right with our country right now? No, it’s not. We still have a long way to go. But I think what you do by standing there and showing respect to the flag with your hand over your heart is it shows unity. It shows that we are all in this together, we can all do better, and we are all part of the solution.”
Brees has indicated the same feelings about the anthem protests in the past. In 2016, he said he supported Kaepernick’s right to protest, but disagreed with the method of the protest, because the American flag is “sacred.”
"In an attempt to talk about respect, unity, and solidarity centered around the American flag and the national anthem, I made comments that were insensitive and completely missed the mark on the issues we are facing right now as a country," Brees wrote. "They lacked awareness and any type of compassion or empathy. Instead, those words have become divisive and hurtful and have misled people into believing that somehow I am an enemy. This could not be further from the truth, and is not an accurate reflection of my heart or my character."
But apparently, for some people the apology isn't enough: www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/nancy-armour/2020/06/04/george-floyd-drew-brees-needs-do-more-than-apologize-comments/3144320001/
Crafting an apology and wading through Google to find the exact right photo to accompany it – empathetic! inspiring! hopeful! – was the easy part.
But Drew Brees needs to prove there is substance to his mea culpa, that his wasn’t yet another word salad from someone who doesn’t get it and just wants all this to go away.
[snip]
Great. Now put those words into action.
Brees has a long – and impressive – history of charitable work in New Orleans, including donating $5 million in March to provide meals to Louisiana residents. He knows how activism works. He could join a protest. Make another donation, this time to researchers studying the harmful impact systemic racism has on the health of people of color, given that African-Americans are twice as likely to die of COVID-19 and New Orleans has been one of the cities hit hardest by the pandemic.
Better yet, partner with the groups who are trying to address those disparities in healthat.
Brees acknowledged he needs to “do less talking and more listening” – what he’s been doing the last four years, I’m not quite sure – so organize listening tours that will enlighten white Americans about the advantages conferred upon them simply because of their skin. Meet with black and brown veterans to learn about their experiences in the military and, more importantly, how they view the protests.
But Drew Brees needs to prove there is substance to his mea culpa, that his wasn’t yet another word salad from someone who doesn’t get it and just wants all this to go away.
[snip]
Great. Now put those words into action.
Brees has a long – and impressive – history of charitable work in New Orleans, including donating $5 million in March to provide meals to Louisiana residents. He knows how activism works. He could join a protest. Make another donation, this time to researchers studying the harmful impact systemic racism has on the health of people of color, given that African-Americans are twice as likely to die of COVID-19 and New Orleans has been one of the cities hit hardest by the pandemic.
Better yet, partner with the groups who are trying to address those disparities in healthat.
Brees acknowledged he needs to “do less talking and more listening” – what he’s been doing the last four years, I’m not quite sure – so organize listening tours that will enlighten white Americans about the advantages conferred upon them simply because of their skin. Meet with black and brown veterans to learn about their experiences in the military and, more importantly, how they view the protests.