Systemic racism in the US: Why is it happening and what can be done?
No it’s not a rant. I want to look at the idea of symbolic acts and what they mean and what they achieve. This is a quote from Wikipedia;
Kaepernick and his 49ers teammate Eric Reid said they choose to kneel during the anthem to call attention to the issues of racial inequality and police brutality. "After hours of careful consideration, and even a visit from Nate Boyer, a retired Green Beret and former NFL player, we came to the conclusion that we should kneel, rather than sit, ... during the anthem, as a peaceful protest," said Reid. "We chose to kneel because it's a respectful gesture. I remember thinking our posture was like a flag flown at half-mast to mark a tragedy." Wikipedia.
They chose it as a respectful gesture. Traditionally one goes down on a knee as an act of respect to a leader. A. very old practise but that’s it’s origins I’m guessing. So it’s actually an act of serving. Even Kaepernick saw it as a respectful act, but I’m not sure if he meant towards the anthem, which is the country itself or those affected by racism. But in effect it was a piece of drama, which I don’t condemn. He chose a time and place to do it. It had power because of who he was, an individual alone making a stand. It’s the act of the individual. That’s where it’s power comes from.
But whites taking a knee as an organised act seems to be a little shallow. I can see that it’s an act of sympathy or solidarity, but it’s only an act. After that, what?