Ron Burroughs…
In considering the question of whether or not I will be boycotting the NFL, I had to truly take the time to assess the true outcome our communtiy desire. In my humble opinion, a boycott will not have significant enough impact to change the behaviors of the leagues or our communities in this country. As such I will not be boycotting the NFL. If a boycott would actually accomplish a meaning ful change, then I would absolutely participate. However, the complication here lies in the fact that the bulk of the NFL’s revenue is generated from their contracts with tv networks. As such, boycotting will in no means address the root cause issues that our community faces. If we truly want to make a stand, then we should petition our player to protest.
Takisha Washington…
“The whole thing about that is as long as the players aren’t being disrespectful, then everybody has the right. Just like Trump being president we have to deal with it, but I’m not going to support anything that he has to do with, like if he came to Seattle I’m not going to see him. So I mean if they don’t wanna stand as long as their sitting and being respectful and their not saying anything bad, like Bennett had something to say as to why he didn’t and Kaepernick has a reason on why then there shouldn’t be a problem.”
Donyetta Sanford…
“I’m torn because a part of me is like we should boycott and then a part of me is like no because you know what if we decide to boycott what is going to be the consequences that’s going to come from it. How many players are going to be suspended or not paid because they’re standing for something they believe in? We live in a world of freedom of speech, if they’re using this amendment to say “Im not ok with that I can’t support this” then they shouldn’t have to.”
Jermaine Spearman…
“I feel like a lot of players have worked hard to get where they are, but at the same time you have one player who is standing up for the cause and leading by example and others are following, but at the same time I feel like a lot of these players and management who are African American are playing it safe and trying to secure their jobs, judging other players like Marshawn Lynch saying “why do they have to bring it to the game, why can’t they leave it out there?” It’s like if we leave out there it’s just barbershop talk. So I feel they should come as one and suffer the consequences, why leave a brotha hanging? He took a stance, doing whats right for the community, he has the right not to stand for the National Anthem, it’s not our National Anthem.”
Laquanda Cooper…
“I will boycott, because I don’t allow my kids to stand at school during the pledge allegiance or the national anthem, because we are not free as Black individuals. We are living in a world of racism and hatred, so I would boycott the NFL.”
Vorian Lewis…
”I will support the NFL. The reason for this is because I love football. No you’re not hearing me I love football.”
Images by Aaron Allen
