It has occurred before, but not quite like this time. Here we are in Day 33 (as we went to press) of the longest government shutdown on record. Initial reports had it at approximately 800,000 federal employees directly affected, with hundreds of thousands more suffering collateral damage. So we talking in excess of 1 million real-live American people who still report to work but are not being paid or are not able to work. The crux of the situation apparently is funding for the Trump Wall. Adversely affecting the lives of Americans to protect the lives of Americans? OK. Let’s hope this situation soon resolves itself, but then again if this injustice persists until say Feb. 3, an interesting opportunity will be presented.
By 11 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 20, we had all the pieces in place. Questionable call aside, the Los Angeles Rams bested the New Orleans Saints, and later that day the New England Patriots continued their march to sports immortality with their overtime win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Feb. 3, Super Bowl LIII, the Los Angeles Rams will play the New England Patriots in Atlanta, Ga. Maroon 5, Travis Scott and just added local superstar Big Boi (who is rumored to have a surprise guest) are set to do the halftime performance. In keeping with the Atlanta theme, the icon Gladys Knight has been selected to perform the national anthem. The movements of PJ Morton (if he participates with Maroon 5), Travis Scott, Big Boi and now Gladys Knight seemed to rock the boat among the supporters of Colin Kaepernick and the issues the NFL has with him. His use of his platform to take a stance during the playing of the anthem at NFL games has elicited a pro/con response throughout the nation. Gladys Knight herself issued a statement regarding the subject.
“I understand that Mr. Kaepernick is protesting two things, and they are police violence and injustice,” said Knight. “It is unfortunate that our national anthem has been dragged into this debate when the distinctive senses of the national anthem and fighting for justice should each stand alone. I am here today and Sunday, Feb. 3, to give the anthem back its voice, to stand for that historic choice of words, the way it unites us when we hear it and to free it from the same prejudices and struggles I have fought long and hard for all my life, from walking back hallways, from marching with our social leaders, from using my voice for good—I have been in the forefront of this battle longer than most of those voicing their opinions to win the right to sing our country’s anthem on a stage as large as the Super Bowl LIII.”
Here’s were salt can be thrown in the game. Supposed the injustice perpetrated by the administration of president 45 on the people of America is still unresolved and one of the Super Bowl starting quarterbacks removes his armor of multimillionaire, star athlete and aligns himself with the Americans who are forced into a compromising position through no fault of their own? What if either one deems to show that support during the national anthem? Will that be viewed as patriotic? Maybe it would be a sign that when one American suffers, we all suffer.
Over and Out. Holla next week. Til then, enjoy the nightlife.