Why Brandon Tatum is Wrong.
Brandon Tatum put up so many strawmen it looks like Halloween came early.
In case you didn't get a chance to see it, Tucson Police Officer Brandon Tatum went viral with this video: Brandon Tatum- Now I Have Had Enough
After watching it a few times, I'm struck by a few things, but mostly by Tatum's statements that he attributes to all these "rich, crybaby athletes."
"It's not about the act of protesting, it's about the way you're doing it."
This was Tatum's opening statement- let's see where he goes with this.
"What does the flag and anthem have to do with what you're talking about?"
I think the anthem argument was a stretch that someone through out there for additional justification. I really don't believe most of the men taking a knee really care about the Star Spangled Banner national anthem being played.
"Made the poor become rich"
I'm hoping what you meant to say was that the freedoms afforded in this country represented by that flag provided for men and women of all creeds and colors to take advantage of opportunities presented to them.
"Opportunity from corn fields and picking cotton to being president of the US."
So since one black man was elected president, all is good now? We don't have to worry about the rest of the issues still out there right?
"MLK had support on both sides because he did it with respect."
This is laughable. The man was literally assassinated for what he was saying.
"He did it with tangible goals."
Tatum goes on to mention about 12 different statistical measures of things that have yet to improve in our country. If they didn't have tangible goals, you just offered up about as many as they'll ever need to justify a protest.
"You can address those issues in another venue."
This is my favorite. Where exactly should they be addressing those issues? Kaepernick spoke of them repeatedly but didn't get any coverage until he started protesting. Many of the men in the NFL have extremely active social media presence where they often speak specifically on these issues.
"You need to be out there doing something in the community."
Take a look at this list Mr. Tatum NFL Man of the Year Nominees
"You need to be voting."
Are we just making assumptions now that they aren't voting? Any tangible stats to back that statement up?
"One of y'all need to take the step and join a police department."
I just don't understand why this is a valid statement. Are we as citizens of this country only supposed to hope our law enforcement acts with honor on the job? If we feel that's not happening is our only recourse to join law enforcement. Last time I check, police officers are public servants and extensions of the political system which derives its power from the consent of the governed. Maybe my understanding is wrong.
"Quit taking a knee and protesting and crying like a baby."
So this is a perfect opportunity to bring up that first statement. It is about the protesting and has nothing to do with the way they are doing it.
"What has happened since Colin Kaepernick took the first knee."
Isn't that kind of the point why more players and now owners are joining into the protests? Shouldn't those be things we should be worried about and not be using as reasons why they shouldn't be protesting?
"Stop whining like a baby. Suit up. Play the sport. Play the game."
I'm completely unaware of any players who aren't playing the game...
"I'm going to honor the people who fought for the flag so I can be free."
Within that freedom they fought for is the freedom of speech. No, it's not absolute, but if they feel they are making a change and they have their employer's support, why should they stop?
"I'm sick of you athletes acting like you're an expert. You play a game."
I'm not going to act like I'm an expert on police brutality and oppression, but the numbers are kind of torn on it. Police brutality is a rare and sensationalized event, but black incarceration rates are incredible and the disparity in sentencing between whites and blacks is indisputable. Many of these guys come from families that have seen this firsthand. They know the pain of having relatives locked away, and to act like none of them have any idea of what is happening is just sad.
Of all the people groups in the United States, I think it is completely safe to say that black men and women are more aware of the consequences of protesting than any other group of people. I have said it before and I'll say it know, I don't believe that protesting in this specific manner is the most effective for instituting change, but attacking these men and their supporters with faulty logic and strawman arguments does more to garner support for them than it does to convince them of changing. Ask President Trump how it works when you attack this group.
In case you didn't get a chance to see it, Tucson Police Officer Brandon Tatum went viral with this video: Brandon Tatum- Now I Have Had Enough
After watching it a few times, I'm struck by a few things, but mostly by Tatum's statements that he attributes to all these "rich, crybaby athletes."
"It's not about the act of protesting, it's about the way you're doing it."
This was Tatum's opening statement- let's see where he goes with this.
"What does the flag and anthem have to do with what you're talking about?"
I think the anthem argument was a stretch that someone through out there for additional justification. I really don't believe most of the men taking a knee really care about the Star Spangled Banner national anthem being played.
"Made the poor become rich"
I'm hoping what you meant to say was that the freedoms afforded in this country represented by that flag provided for men and women of all creeds and colors to take advantage of opportunities presented to them.
"Opportunity from corn fields and picking cotton to being president of the US."
So since one black man was elected president, all is good now? We don't have to worry about the rest of the issues still out there right?
"MLK had support on both sides because he did it with respect."
This is laughable. The man was literally assassinated for what he was saying.
"He did it with tangible goals."
Tatum goes on to mention about 12 different statistical measures of things that have yet to improve in our country. If they didn't have tangible goals, you just offered up about as many as they'll ever need to justify a protest.
"You can address those issues in another venue."
This is my favorite. Where exactly should they be addressing those issues? Kaepernick spoke of them repeatedly but didn't get any coverage until he started protesting. Many of the men in the NFL have extremely active social media presence where they often speak specifically on these issues.
"You need to be out there doing something in the community."
Take a look at this list Mr. Tatum NFL Man of the Year Nominees
"You need to be voting."
Are we just making assumptions now that they aren't voting? Any tangible stats to back that statement up?
"One of y'all need to take the step and join a police department."
I just don't understand why this is a valid statement. Are we as citizens of this country only supposed to hope our law enforcement acts with honor on the job? If we feel that's not happening is our only recourse to join law enforcement. Last time I check, police officers are public servants and extensions of the political system which derives its power from the consent of the governed. Maybe my understanding is wrong.
"Quit taking a knee and protesting and crying like a baby."
So this is a perfect opportunity to bring up that first statement. It is about the protesting and has nothing to do with the way they are doing it.
"What has happened since Colin Kaepernick took the first knee."
Isn't that kind of the point why more players and now owners are joining into the protests? Shouldn't those be things we should be worried about and not be using as reasons why they shouldn't be protesting?
"Stop whining like a baby. Suit up. Play the sport. Play the game."
I'm completely unaware of any players who aren't playing the game...
"I'm going to honor the people who fought for the flag so I can be free."
Within that freedom they fought for is the freedom of speech. No, it's not absolute, but if they feel they are making a change and they have their employer's support, why should they stop?
"I'm sick of you athletes acting like you're an expert. You play a game."
I'm not going to act like I'm an expert on police brutality and oppression, but the numbers are kind of torn on it. Police brutality is a rare and sensationalized event, but black incarceration rates are incredible and the disparity in sentencing between whites and blacks is indisputable. Many of these guys come from families that have seen this firsthand. They know the pain of having relatives locked away, and to act like none of them have any idea of what is happening is just sad.
Of all the people groups in the United States, I think it is completely safe to say that black men and women are more aware of the consequences of protesting than any other group of people. I have said it before and I'll say it know, I don't believe that protesting in this specific manner is the most effective for instituting change, but attacking these men and their supporters with faulty logic and strawman arguments does more to garner support for them than it does to convince them of changing. Ask President Trump how it works when you attack this group.
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