Joe Kinsey
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Alexi Lalas tweeted and then deleted this when players from the National Women’s Soccer League kneeled before a recent match: “Now it takes courage to actually stand for the national anthem.” Lalas had himself a full social media day and then the world moved on. Now comes the story of Rachel Hill, a player for the Chicago Red Stars who had to release a statement on why she was the only player standing for the anthem before a match against Orlando.
That’s right, Rachel is the pioneer when it comes to issuing a statement on why she stood for the anthem. “When I stood for the national anthem before the Chicago Red Stars’ most recent game, this was a decision that did not come easily or without profound thought,” Hill wrote. “Before the game, I was completely torn on what to do. I spoke with friends, family and teammates — of all races, religions and backgrounds — with the hope of guidance. I chose to stand because of what the flag inherently means to my military family members and me, but I 100% support my peers.”
Hill continued:
“I support the Black Lives Matter movement wholeheartedly. I also support and will do my part in fighting against the current inequality. As a white athlete, it is way past due for me to be diligently anti-racist. … In this moment the black community needs us. I am ready to help with meaningful action that leads to everlasting change. Do I have all the answers to this? No. But we must start somewhere, and that’s my intent.”
Rachel Hill Chicago Red Stars pic.twitter.com/S4WjNHmCnW
— Von Cosmic (@voncosmic) June 28, 2020
Casey Short, the Red Stars player on two knees with Hill’s hand on her shoulder, issued a statement over all this saying she’s had conversations with Hill about the world they’re living in.
Our narrative ♥️ pic.twitter.com/VRJOpITuW9
— Casey Short (@CaseyShort3) June 30, 2020
I, Casey, can only speak for myself but the conversations I have had with players, specifically Rachel, have been unapologetically authentic. I have to ask where my hope lies. It lies in my faith and those types of conversations that have been long overdue. The types of conversations that are raw and uncomfortable, that can lead to real impactful change.
Someone ask the ladies that disrespect the American Flag and our National Anthem, which country in the ENTIRE world has individual freedoms equivalent To or greater than the United States?
A couple years ago on a boring weekend, I caught the US Women’s team playing for the Cup, or one of the World Championships. To me it made no difference that the team was all ladies and ladies of different ethnic and racial backgrounds. They were my team.
I watched my Country-Mon beat another team with grit and skill in Leu of the American way. And Win Decisively and with Class. That was then.
This is Now
Kneeling is not Class. If you can’t stand for the American Flag and the Anthem Go back to the locker room and take off the uniform. The American Brand was not built by kneeling. The British burned civilians both black and white. And Children and entire families. The US Militia did not Kneel in 1812 or any time there after.
In 1943-44 America then saved Great Britain and Europe from the Nazis.
If you are not proud while wearing the name and jersey, then don’t play for America. Play for China, but they are not ethnically and racially inclusive.
Play for Japan, but they are not inclusive either.
How about Iran? Or Russia?
Keep in mind you have to live in theses countries to play. Each of these countries and many more have slaughtered and brutalized their own countrymen over decades and centuries. And have done ZERO to make those crimes right. Zero.
I love sports when the competition is real. And I really love it when my country beats any other country in any sports competition. Sporting competition is not designed to humiliate the other competitors, but on the field you represent your team. Team America!
Winning is a symbol of our greatness, but more. It’s also an advertisement to the World, that the best place to be great is here in the USA.
And That’s Still True. It may always be true.
*Entitled female milenials that kneel at a sporting event seem to think that when the fight comes at them, they will need to back down.
That’s what taking a knee is. It’s not prayer as Tim Tebow tried to show us. Kneeling as Kaepernick did is not protesting, its CAVING in as a coward. A coward by definition sacrificeS little while others sacrifice everything; even posthumously.
Well said.