In what has become a regular game of serve and volley, a bunch of cops got a case of the sads after some football players knelt during the national anthem. It could really be anywhere, but this specific story is from Miami, after Dolphins players Jelani Jenkins, Arian Foster, Kenny Stills, and Michael Thomas took a knee before last Sunday's game in Seattle. In response to this silent gesture, the Broward County Sheriff's Office Deputies Association released an unbelievable statement in which the president, Jeff Bell, outlines why he thinks they should stop working for the Dolphins. Please, read this insanity:I can not fathom why the Miami Dolphin organization and the NFL would allow the blatant disrespect of the American Flag and what it stands for during the national anthem. It is a privilege to play in the NFL, not a given constitutional right. The Miami Dolphin players, staff and family members enjoy full police escorts from the Broward Sheriff's Office on a regular basis. These escorts often involve putting the men and women of law enforcement agencies at risk as they block intersections during peak traffic times in order to expedite the travel time between facilities.Now, look. What I'm not going to do here is in anyway make light of the risks inherent in police work. I'm just going to point out that if you are building a case around that risk, maybe go with something sexier than "blocking intersections" as your first example. I know it's Florida and it's lousy with elderly people who can't drive, but still, maybe mention something about how you've had to bury coworkers who have unnecessarily lost their lives protecting the lives of individuals. Just as a for instance."We have buried coworkers who have unnecessarily lost their lives protecting the lives of individuals. Some law enforcement officers even lost their lives while protecting the lives of the very same individuals who were protesting against law enforcement."That's what I'm talking about! Always put your most compelling argument first. I don't know if Jeff Bell is just using broad strokes here and invoking the whole organization, but it sounds like he is saying officers have died while protecting the lives of Jelani Jenkins, Arian Foster, Kenny Stills, and/or Michael Thomas. Seems like something people would have heard about, what with they're being professional football players, but who knows?You might notice that Mr. Bell references the disrespectful nature of the protest but not why they were protesting in the first place. Despite a vague mention of "protesting against law enforcement," there is no mention or acknowledgement of the systemic oppression or families, friends, and coworkers who others have had to bury because of police brutality.It highlights an amazing juxtaposition that has come out of these protests and, sadly, makes you wonder if anything will every truly come of it. While each player who has spoken up has calmly and rationally explained that he or she is actually protesting police disproportionately killing, arresting, and harassing a minority population—topics that would get anyone rightfully fired up—the ones on the receiving end completely ignore the substance of the criticism and write petty, defensive letters like this one, while stumping on about respect and honor.
Advertisement