NCAA Permits Patches That Promote Social Justice Causes ...

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I only work for one assigner, who works very closely with the executive committee of my local board. I hope that we get some preseason advice regarding officials in crews who want to stand, kneel, or stay in the locker room, and to remind us that's it's none of our business (as game officials) if teams (or individual players) stand, kneel, or stay in the locker room (there have been a few problems in a few states where officials indicated that they would walk out if the flag was disrespected).

I remember when Kaepernick kneeled and the country got caught up in that so much there were others doing the same things. And I remember discussing it in a few meetings "What are we going to do...." as if the sky was going to fall. Well, basically not much happened. I remember some people trying to penalize players for kneeling during the Anthem and the state saying to players, "Not our responsibility" for the most part and let the schools handle their school's protests. It went away. Honestly, I think we will have so many other issues at play this fall or winter that this will be the main issue. Yes there might be an officiating crew or two across the country that will do something. Maybe more, but I think a lot of officials will think that is not their role and either way I am OK with it. I think we are kind of overblow this being a challenge. Or at least for me, I do not need to discuss anything with my partners. If I do anything it will be personal, I am not looking for everyone's approval on a personal show of protest.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I think we will have so many other issues at play this fall or winter that this will be the main issue. Yes there might be an officiating crew or two across the country that will do something. Maybe more, but I think a lot of officials will think that is not their role and either way ... I think we are kind of overblow this being a challenge.

The National Association of Sports Officials thought it was important enough to add to the agenda for their 2020 Virtual Summit, there must be, at least, a little something to this.

Social justice issues are "big" on the professional level of sports (look at what happened yesterday), and although it will probably get diluted, a little will probably filter down through the college, and maybe even to the high school level, possibly involving officials.

Officials starting getting "political" back in the early 2000's by adding flags to uniforms, who's to say they won't get political again?

I haven't seen widespread social justice protests like these going on now since the 1960's Civil Rights movement.

[JRutledge]

I am not saying they do not need to discuss social justice issues. I think that the kneeling or not kneeling or protest vs. no protest is overplayed. We might not have games to play this year at all for many of us. I am not having a pre-game conference about this issue because as a Black person, I know I am on an island with many of my partners. I am not personally going to be used to stand out by myself in a thing that is not my actual job or that is an extra activity. I can voice those things, but it will not be on the court or field unless I have some support. Just my personal choice at this time. The NBA officials had the backing of the league from multiple levels. I could see the IHSA for example having a position, but then you get another fight with a school district or a conference. I do not feel like having this fight in this arena because I feel there are other areas to take action to get the social justice I would like to see as I have done for years already. I was raised in this, not just focusing on something that took place in the last few months or even decades.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

not just focusing on something that took place in the last few months or even decades.

400 years.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

400 years.

Just my lifetime.

Peace

[BillyMac]

“It’s amazing why we keep loving this country, and this country does not love us back.” (Doc Rivers)

[WhistlesAndStripes]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

“It’s amazing why we keep loving this country, and this country does not love us back.” (Doc Rivers)

This is such garbage. I get that Doc has a platform and he’s gonna use it to further the cause of his people. But don’t give me the “this country does not love us back” crap. I get so tired of this crap. It’s propoganda and he knows it. Does it suck that someone got shot? Absolutely, 100% yes!! But let’s also look at the facts of the case. I won’t go into them all here and how. But c’mon, man, be fair about what really happened.


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