In yet another vitriolic rant from former reality television star Donald Trump, the White House occupant has, this time, aimed a mouthful of hate at NFL players and the #TakeAKnee movement.
Former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick pioneered the movement alone in recent years by kneeling down instead of standing to cross his hand over his heart during the singing of the national anthem. Kaepernick has since been blackballed by the organization, remaining unemployed by the NFL.
But Trump has called for something much more damaging than blackballing for the entire NFL, deeming peacefully protesting (and primarily Black) NFL players “sons of b*****s” and demanding that team owners hand them the pink slip should they dare exercise their First Amendment rights. And, not to mention, his “White house invite rejection” for Golden State Warriors NBA star Steph Curry… who had already declined a visit to the establishment.
Leave it to hip-hop’s finest, however, to remind the 71-year-old just how far they’re willing to stretch their freedom of speech in line with the players. From J. Cole’s return to address the controversy after a months-long social media hiatus to Bronx femcee Cardi B’s one-up to Kaepernick and Russell Simmons’s stern message to all NFL players, the entire rap circle showed up in numbers refusing to cower beneath Trump’s rhetoric. Now, everyone who has stood with Kaepernick has encouraged the rest of the NFL to kneel with him, too.
And so are we.
See what these hip-hop artists had to say about the #TakeAKnee movement, Colin Kaepernick and Trump’s commentary on all of it below.
God bless every player that finds courage to kneel today. But the real power comes from you deciding to not watch.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Your eyes translate to advertising money for the League and it's owners.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Same ones who speak out against Trump today, are the same ones that denied a qualified man a job because he took a stand against injustice.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
You and me have the power to deny them our attention ($$ to them) until they make a wrong situation right.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
How do they make it right? I know there are people
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
smarter than me with better answers. But here's one.
Hire 3rd party investigator approved by NFLPA to determine if kap was denied a job unfairly as punishment for his stance. (I know, I know)
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
And compensate the man for his losses if they determine he was.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Bare with me I'm just a rapper.. now look
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Every day they stay quiet on this they're saying that they condone what's happening to Kap and the message it sends.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Well, you have a choice on how you respond to that. You can choose to not watch.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
if a boycott doesn't force them to action, don't even trip. This is where the real flex happens.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Black people spend a lot of money with NFL corporate sponsors. White people who don't fuck with white supremacy spend a lot of money too.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
So, next you turn your attention to these sponsors.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Pick one of the biggest ones and say, "do you agree with black balling players when they speak out against oppression?"
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
"If not, why are you spending all this money with a League that clearly condones that? ... "
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
"You know what, I don't think I can spend my money with you no more until you fix this."
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Repeat this with another company, and another.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Thats when the magic happens. And sadly, in this capitalistic world we live in, that's when your voice is heard. When you hurt the pockets.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
I respect whatever you decide to do. Watch or don't watch, whatever's in your heart. But I'm not watching til it feel right.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
I respect whatever you decide to do. Watch or don't watch, whatever's in your heart. But I'm not watching til it feel right.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
It was hard during preseason and the first week. But then I was like, wait, is it actually hard?
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Some of us got grandparents that walked miles to work instead of riding bus, just to show the bus companies that they won't tolerate racism
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
So when I think about it like that it's very easy on Sunday to say, "Nope, I'm straight."
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
So when I think about it like that it's very easy on Sunday to say, "Nope, I'm straight."
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
This may be the biggest opportunity we have ever been presented to come together and show the world and ourselves our true economic power.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Thank you Colin for your sacrifice.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Ima stop it there. Peace and love to all, let's give energy to the solutions not the problem. Even if you don't rock with mine.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Never let a son of a bitch distract you from doing what's right. #knee deep pic.twitter.com/feL3EcKEaT
— Ice Cube (@icecube) September 24, 2017
#takeaknee like @TomiLahren in an NFL locker room...
— vino the agitator (@VicMensa) September 24, 2017
You can't make America great again by going after athletes. Sports makes America great. #TakeTheKnee pic.twitter.com/a1ljabuDkV
— Jidenna (@Jidenna) September 24, 2017
Locking arms and staying in the locker room hiding is for bitches. I'm sorry I'm so upset WTF. So we not sure if black lives matter.
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) September 24, 2017
I regret my choice of words, but a coach coming out and saying we don't wanna be politicized is not supporting your brother or BLM.
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) September 24, 2017
All these football team owners talking and all lat but when is y'all going to hire Colin Kaepernick ?😠
— iamcardib (@iamcardib) September 24, 2017
Don't be fool guys Carrot face just using this football thing as a distraction from North Korea wanting to blow our shit up
— iamcardib (@iamcardib) September 24, 2017
All I want to know is... when are they going to hire Colin Kaepernick ?😒😤
— iamcardib (@iamcardib) September 24, 2017
(Photos from Left: Ethan Miller/Getty Images, Phillip Faraone/WireImage, Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for ASCAP)
COMMENTS