By Jannah Bolds
EIC, The Bold Opinion

The NFL disappoints, yet again.

Imagine it’s the year 2020, four years post the start of, yet another, social injustice revolution, and haven’t seen progression? Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the US national anthem on 9/01/2016 to bring the reality of social injustices and police brutality amongst Black Americans; and in return, received the blackest of balls! No pun intended, but the man has not been allowed to step foot in the National Football League since. But where are we now? You would think the nation would recognize and acknowledge the REAL problem in America since then. Well, think again.

It’s been six years since Michael Brown’s death and eight years since the unjustified murder of Trayvon Martin; the beginning of the social awakening. They are the cobblestones of the movement.

We all know that Kaepernick’s peaceful protest was met with combative claims about respecting the military and nationalism. The two, in Black America’s opinion, are non-related. However, the bigots have found a way to stick to their “shut up and dribble” rhetoric, even now. Today, years later, when NFL fans anticipated the first game of the season, they were met with much of the same old song.

“Shut up and dribble, Boy…”

Before kickoff and after the National Anthem was played, all players on the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans teams stood midfield and locked arms for a moment of silence for social injustice. Everyone on the team, including players, coaches, and waterboys stood still with their heads bowed to acknowledge the cause.
But before the honorary moment was over, a less than medium sound of boo’s filled the arena.

I’ve not participated in NFL activity since Kaepernick received the backhand for his peaceful protesting methods, but I broke my fast to see what would happen on opening day. And if I’m quite honest, I’m very disappointed at how everything played out. I can see a semi-honest attempt to be inclusive and acknowledgeable of the current state of the nation by the NFL, and I’ll have to live with that. But what’s even more alarming is the number of people in that less-than-partially filled arena that felt the need to boo during that significant moment of silence. That moment was set aside for Travoyn, Sandra, Tamir, Breonna, Michael, Botham, Rayshard, Anthony, George, Ahmaud, Elijah, Atatiana, Stephon, Alton, Philando, and countless others who lost their lives unnecessarily at the hands of the law.

I’m appalled, but oddly, not surprised. Why? Because it was never even about the flag in the first place.

Dearly beloved, we’ve got a long way to go, but I’m a hopeful believer.

Featured Photo Credit: Charlie Riedel / Associated Press