Kevin Allen: Kneeling NHLers say it's about human rights, not politics Two Dallas Stars and two Vegas Golden Knights the first NHLers to take a knee for the U.S. anthem in uniform.

I give these guys a ton of credit to keep politics out of it. Politics and the divisive nature of that debate becomes the story instead of the real issue of human rights...which transcends whoever is in (or running for) office. Just another example of how these players just kind of "get it."

blah, blah, blah

Human rights?!!!

How bout they kneel for China, or Russia, or 100 other countries before they start blasting the human rights violations in America

blah, blah, blah

Human rights?!!!

How bout they kneel for China, or Russia, or 100 other countries before they start blasting the human rights violations in America
- rrentz

Well said.

Some say they will stop watching hockey if this becomes widespread.
- Kevin Allen

I'll bet that has the NHL terrified.

TERRIFIED!!!

If they break out a petition on change.org, the NHL might as well just declare bankruptcy.

I give these guys a ton of credit to keep politics out of it. Politics and the divisive nature of that debate becomes the story instead of the real issue of human rights...which transcends whoever is in (or running for) office. Just another example of how these players just kind of "get it."
- Eklund[/quote

Give them credit? Think “gave” would be the better word as they seem to be bringing politics into it now.

So over the left approach to “inclusion” - it goes something like:

Young non-white child, just remember you are no different than anyone else - you can succeed and thrive.

But never forget the shame and persecution that you have suffered which will prevent you from ever being the same.

How can you say politics is being left out of it when you bring up BLM (political org), are kneeling for nation’s anthems, and holding black power signs in the air??

Also, I listened to Reaves. He said fine things regarding the flag and military, but ended by saying “Only to come back and find out this country isn’t free for everybody”.
Huh? Unless you commit crimes, EVERYONE is very free in America.

Also, I have a major problem with Dumba (a Canadian) kneeling for the US flag.

To say the kneeling is not political, doesn’t actually make it not political.

They don't live in Russia or China.....

How can you say politics is being left out of it when you bring up BLM (political org), are kneeling for nation’s anthems, and holding black power signs in the air??

Also, I listened to Reaves. He said fine things regarding the flag and military, but ended by saying “Only to come back and find out this country isn’t free for everybody”.
Huh? Unless you commit crimes, EVERYONE is very free in America.

Also, I have a major problem with Dumba (a Canadian) kneeling for the US flag.

To say the kneeling is not political, doesn’t actually make it not political.
- Mph6689

They are kneeling, for the most part, because they fear the blow back if they don't. They are black athletes in the NHL and feel they have too. That's the reason they are doing it.

Funny, Tim Tebow was kneeling and the same wasn't said for him.

NHL is very delicately not referencing BLM in anything. All messaging is just "black lives". Watch the promos, signage in the arenas.

So this is very much we feel pressure to do something from a PR perspective but not super committed as we know our view base doesn't really want to hear it from us. I very much all of this to go away once the actual playoffs start. Just how NHL works.

They are kneeling, for the most part, because they fear the blow back if they don't. They are black athletes in the NHL and feel they have too. That's the reason they are doing it.
- rrentz

So glad you can speak for an entire group of people and read their minds. If only there were more people like you who generalize others' intentions, thoughts and actions while pointing out their race. I can't see at all why these groups would continue to pursue equal treatment with folks like you around.................

So glad you can speak for an entire group of people and read their minds. If only there were more people like you who generalize others' intentions, thoughts and actions while pointing out their race. I can't see at all why these groups would continue to pursue equal treatment with folks like you around.................
- Pavfan13

Thank you!

They are kneeling, for the most part, because they fear the blow back if they don't. They are black athletes in the NHL and feel they have too. That's the reason they are doing it.
- rrentz

I imagine they do feel pressure. But, if they are doing this because of pressure, it is the opposite of brave.

Personally, I will take the players at their word, and guess they are doing it for why they say. I just think they are wrong, and misguided.

How did this go from “issues between blacks and police” to “the whole country is designed as racist (systemic racism)”, and people of color are not free”

Takes away from trying to escape all the things we are bombarded with for a couple hours (hockey game).

I'll bet that has the NHL terrified.

TERRIFIED!!!

If they break out a petition on change.org, the NHL might as well just declare bankruptcy.
- Atomic Wedgie

I wonder if the people who are going to stop watching hockey are the same millions of people who said they would move to Canada if Trump was elected.

If NHL wants to be progressive STOP PLAYING THE ANTHEM. I have no idea why sports do this. It causes nothing but problems.

Like how a team like the Oilers have a player who is black, Asian, and East Indian. But the banner says we skate for BLACK LIVES. Yeah, that's a great step towards equality and justice.

I give these guys a ton of credit to keep politics out of it. Politics and the divisive nature of that debate becomes the story instead of the real issue of human rights...which transcends whoever is in (or running for) office. Just another example of how these players just kind of "get it."
- Eklund

If you want to get politics out of sports, stop playing the national anthems.

I imagine they do feel pressure. But, if they are doing this because of pressure, it is the opposite of brave.

Personally, I will take the players at their word, and guess they are doing it for why they say. I just think they are wrong, and misguided.

How did this go from “issues between blacks and police” to “the whole country is designed as racist (systemic racism)”, and people of color are not free”

Takes away from trying to escape all the things we are bombarded with for a couple hours (hockey game).
- Mph6689

Good point

Im waring a Grunt Style Brand shirt today...It reads " Amreica United" The looks Im getting are unreal

blah, blah, blah

Human rights?!!!

How bout they kneel for China, or Russia, or 100 other countries before they start blasting the human rights violations in America
- rrentz

I did not realize that the Chinese and Russian national anthems were also being played before games.

I did not realize that the Chinese and Russian national anthems were also being played before games.
- TheUltimateJet

Point being...things need to be put in perspective. America perfect? NO, BUT before protesting something, one must look around and realize that America is a pretty God dam good place to live. The protesting is over the top, and the only thing that's systemic in this country is the media bias, and their willingness to only report a one sided story.

holy crap dudes

Point being...things need to be put in perspective. America perfect? NO, BUT before protesting something, one must look around and realize that America is a pretty God dam good place to live. The protesting is over the top, and the only thing that's systemic in this country is the media bias, and their willingness to only report a one sided story.
- rrentz

Very Well Said.

Point being...things need to be put in perspective. America perfect? NO, BUT before protesting something, one must look around and realize that America is a pretty God dam good place to live. The protesting is over the top, and the only thing that's systemic in this country is the media bias, and their willingness to only report a one sided story.
- rrentz

Well when 25% of the worlds jail population lives in the USA, what does that say about freedom? Either the laws are designed to put people in prison or that America is disproportionately producing more criminals than the the rest of the world.

Research the private prison industry in the states and the tell me that the USA is not as bad as the rest of the world.

Trust me, no media outlet is reporting on that.