At work, many of us are expected to multitask. As parents, we often have to have eyes in the back of our heads just to keep up with what the kids are doing. As human beings, we are capable of focusing on more than one thing at a time—it’s in our nature. Unless, of course, you are a GOP politician and want to stick your nose somewhere it does not belong, as is the case with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who was apparently missing the limelight since he lost the title of worst Republican in government.
By now everyone knows that the reason we are seeing NFL players protest during the national anthem is because of the racial injustice and disparities that continue to exist in our nation. As has been written before, this is in no way disrespectful to the flag, or to veterans. Of course, Republicans being Republicans, they have to make a big stink about anything that is their outrage of the week (or in this case, year). Scott Walker is no exception. This past week, the attention-starved governor wrote a letter to the NFL and the NFLPA.
Speaking up for what you believe in is a profoundly American idea, but disrespecting our flag, and the men and women who have fought to protect and defend our country, is not American in the slightest.It is time for players in the NFL to stop their protests during the anthem and move on from what has become a divisive political sideshow. Instead, I encourage them to use their voices and influence to take a stand against domestic violence.
Where to begin with this? First I have to state that as a veteran, I do not need Scott Walker to speak for me. I am perfectly fine with NFL players kneeling during the national anthem. I do have a problem when people in power seem to think they can force people to stand and show respect to the flag. That is nationalism, and it has never worked out well.
Secondly, we can focus on more than one fucking thing at a time.
Is domestic abuse a problem in the NFL, and in the general population? Yes, it is. Should NFL players speak out against it? Yes! By all means yes! They have a platform and they should use it, especially in light of domestic violence perpetrated by their fellow players. Does this mean they should stop kneeling during the national anthem? NO!
Black men and boys are killed at the hands of police officers at an alarming rate, and it needs to stop. Peaceful protest to bring attention to this serious issue is not hurting anyone, and isn’t taking away from other issues that the NFL may want to focus on. As a matter of fact, the players who are protesting are also supporting cancer awareness during the month of October. Imagine that: they can focus on more than one thing at a time.
In this case, Scott Walker is suffering a case of ‘Whataboutism.’ In this case, you are protesting innocent black men being killed by law enforcement—but what about domestic violence? Why aren’t you speaking out against that?
State Rep. Melissa Sargent summed it up best when she responded to Gov. Walker’s letter.
“Well, after seven years in office, I’m glad Scott Walker finally woke up this morning and realized domestic violence in the NFL is a problem. It’s a shame Walker hasn’t ever spoken up when there’s been literal video evidence of brutal physical assaults, or when a player has been repeatedly accused of sexual assault. That fact alone is indicative that this is nothing more than another political stunt for Walker to feel relevant.
“Scott Walker might not be able to walk and chew gum at the same time, but the rest of us can and should be able to do both. Dialogues about racism and domestic violence are not mutually exclusive, and we shouldn’t have to choose between tackling misogyny or domestic violence and systemic racism.”
She is right: we should not have to choose between tackling misogyny or domestic violence and systemic racism. Hell, we can even talk about preventing mass shootings at the same time! But the idea that a peaceful protest must stop because of another equally important issue is ridiculous. While we are on the subject, I would like to ask Gov. Walker what he has done to prevent domestic violence. And why hasn’t he done anything about racial disparities in the state? Of course we know the answer to these questions, and it’s that he has no interest in doing anything about either issue.
But he will gladly use them both to score points with his base.