AP Photo/Mark Lennihan

Motives of those "patriotic" whiners are suspect

People who think like Dennis Larson ("Kaepernick's sacrifice?", Sept. 5) should actually go to a NFL game and play close attention during the national anthem. If you look around, you will see that many people don't observe proper protocol by removing their hats. You will see lots of people, both standing and sitting, just continue unabated with their conversations. Countless people remained glued to their digital devices, apparently oblivious to their "patriotic duty." Also, you will see others, as if under some Pavlovian spell, leaving the stands at the mention of the anthem, finding that a good time to go to the bathroom, or to buy beer.

Perhaps, if you're a "real patriot," you will find this type of behavior both shocking and unpatriotic. Of course, at that time you might have to consider that all the carping about kneeling during the anthem is actually more about silencing the black community and not really so much about patriotism. And for the record, former Green Beret and NFL player Nate Boyer confirmed he convinced Colin Kaepernick to "take a knee," rather than sit, during the national anthem, as that would be more respectful. Anyone with a modicum of intelligence knows that kneeling has always been a way of curbing egotism and of showing respect.

I find the actual motives of all those "patriotic" whiners to be highly suspect. While Mr. Kaepernick certainly didn't pay the same price for his sacrifice as a warrior on the battlefield, he did indeed make a sacrifice in exercising his first amendment rights.

-- Dennis Skipper, Northeast Portland

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AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File

Illustrating the stark reality of inequality

I read the letter to the editor twice before I realized that the suggestion that Mr. Kaepernick visit dead soldiers was the letter writer's misunderstanding why some football players' had knelt during the national anthem in silent protest of the treatment of minorities, particularly by those charged with enforcing our country's laws. Apparently, some people continue to believe that taking a knee is disrespectful of our flag, and thus, by inference, of armed forces who gave their lives for us in combat.

These athletes chose to illustrate the stark reality of inequality, during a song that touts equality and justice for all. Read the words of the verses. The sentiments are not true for everyone in today's America. We all know that. I applaud and support the athletes' rights in the U.S. to engage in a peaceful protest to call attention to this inequality. Mr. Kaepernick in particular has suffered actual financial and professional losses, not counting having to bear the misplaced scorn of people who don't know any better or refuse to acknowledge how and why the kneel came about, or the insulting words by the person who is supposed to be our leader.

-- Sharii E. Rey, Beaverton

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Bought my last Nike item

Nike just doesn’t get it. Colin Kaepernick is hardly a hero and someone to emulate and admire. His outrage and anger at the police over the appalling number of violent deaths in the African American community is misdirected, to say the least. Where is Kaepernick’s outrage at the weekly death toll from black-on-black violence in cities like Chicago, Detroit and New Orleans? His silence has been deafening.

In 2016, during spring training, Kaepernick wore socks with images of pigs in police uniforms. That was real mature of him. I have friends in law enforcement who are honest, caring and honorable people. They really are the thin blue line between civilization and chaos. If you don’t believe me, just attend the next demonstration in downtown Portland. Antifa will invariably be there with their helmets, masks and backpacks filled with rocks and flares.

What would happen to downtown Portland if the police did not show up?

While we are at it, let’s leave Donald Trump out of this. Trump is a divisive figure and I would argue that most folks who stand during the national anthem are probably not Trump supporters. All he does is stir the pot and create dissension. I choose to stand during the anthem and honor our flag -- not because of Trump, but in spite of him.

I am one of many folks who will be showing my displeasure with my pocket book. I have purchased my last item with the Nike logo on it.

-- James Rogers, Northwest Portland

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AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File

What kneeling really means

Here’s hoping that the Nike ads will help clarify the misunderstanding of kneeling created by the president’s misrepresentation of its meaning. What if all of us in America could "bend the knee" in deepest reverence, respect and humility to underscore the infinite value and worth of every human being on the face of our earth. Who knows, maybe the rest of the world would join us.

-- Marvin Friesen, Lake Oswego

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AP Photo/Alex Brandon

The ad tells us something

This latest move by Nike proves two things: Nike is very smart and President Trump is very stupid.

-- Philip Nemer, Northwest Portland

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Nike is trying to play both sides

I’ll chime in on this, as someone with very personal experience regarding Nike discrimination. Hopefully this ad -- and subsequent media blitz -- will prompt incredibly necessary conversations at Nike Headquarters and beyond. Because it has to start somewhere, and I am optimistic that goodness and equality will somehow find a way through the corporate veins. It’s a turbulent, unkind and unforgiving ride.

The discrimination affected our family at a very personal level and they refuse to acknowledge it. And even worse, at times acknowledge it and still leave it alone. Pick a side, Nike. You can’t play both sides forever.

-- Allison Sodha, Northwest Portland

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AP Photo/Mark Lennihan

Our anthem's author would approve

In his Sept. 5 letter, “Kaepernick's sacrifice?”, Dennis E. Larsen asks what Colin Kaepernick's sacrifice might be. At the same time the writer brings up our national anthem, of course, but doesn't see the irony.

Our national anthem is unique among national anthems, as I discussed each year with my fourth graders, befitting our unique nation. It asks questions. Through his verse, the author Francis Scott Keyes, asks us questions: Did you see that flag? And importantly, to us over the centuries: Is it still waving? Are we still a nation of free people, brave enough to insist on those freedoms? From 200 years away, today's citizens and patriots must answer those questions.

Kaepernick, through his professional sacrifice, answers with a strong patriotic,"Yes, we are!” And others, like the letter writer, answer, "No we are not, sorry to disappoint you."

Kaepernick is a model for how to peacefully insist on and believe in our important freedoms. Our anthem's writer would approve.



-- Donna Murphy, Northeast Portland

