OT New Random Thread 4

[Sterling von Shimmer]

When BLM holds protests and it disrupts the daily lives of others (traffic, noise, etc.), people say it’s bad.

But then when athletes like Kaepernick and Berry hold personal protests that don’t affect anyone or anything on a large scale, people still say it’s bad.

It’s almost like lots of people just want them to keep their mouths shut and not exercise their first amendment right to protest at all.

 

[cac4life]

When BLM holds protests and it disrupts the daily lives of others (traffic, noise, etc.), people say it’s bad.

But then when athletes like Kaepernick and Berry hold personal protests that don’t affect anyone or anything on a large scale, people still say it’s bad.

It’s almost like lots of people just want them to keep their mouths shut and not exercise their first amendment right to protest at all.

I never once said all protesting is bad. I think protesting, when used correctly, is very effect message, for instance, a March is a very good way to protest. Where I draw the line is when you disrespect the flag. I’ve had family DIE for that flag. You have the HONOR to represent your country at the OLYMPIC GAMES!!! It’s crazy to me we live in a society that thinks this is ok! There are ways to protest, and you are able to acknowledge that there are flaws in this nation, without being disrespectful. There’s flaws in ever nation. Yes, racism does exist, but to live in the US and get to represent them at the games is such an honor. That’s such a privilege that she worked hard to earn, then turns around and disrespects the flag. Not to mention some of her past tweets have been so mean and disrespectful.

 

[Sterling von Shimmer]

I never once said all protesting is bad. I think protesting, when used correctly, is very effect message, for instance, a March is a very good way to protest. Where I draw the line is when you disrespect the flag. I’ve had family DIE for that flag. You have the HONOR to represent your country at the OLYMPIC GAMES!!! It’s crazy to me we live in a society that thinks this is ok! There are ways to protest, and you are able to acknowledge that there are flaws in this nation, without being disrespectful. There’s flaws in ever nation. Yes, racism does exist, but to live in the US and get to represent them at the games is such an honor. That’s such a privilege that she worked hard to earn, then turns around and disrespects the flag. Not to mention some of her past tweets have been so mean and disrespectful.

I didn’t mean you, specifically. Which is why I chose to use the word “people” as a more generalised term. So I’m sorry if that came across as personal.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I never once said all protesting is bad. I think protesting, when used correctly, is very effect message, for instance, a March is a very good way to protest. Where I draw the line is when you disrespect the flag. I’ve had family DIE for that flag. You have the HONOR to represent your country at the OLYMPIC GAMES!!! It’s crazy to me we live in a society that thinks this is ok! There are ways to protest, and you are able to acknowledge that there are flaws in this nation, without being disrespectful. There’s flaws in ever nation. Yes, racism does exist, but to live in the US and get to represent them at the games is such an honor. That’s such a privilege that she worked hard to earn, then turns around and disrespects the flag. Not to mention some of her past tweets have been so mean and disrespectful.

You are entitled to your opinion, but there are plenty of people who feel that what she did was not disrespectful. The two posts on the last page are well written and explain my feelings very well.

 

[CoachTamara]

I never once said all protesting is bad. I think protesting, when used correctly, is very effect message, for instance, a March is a very good way to protest. Where I draw the line is when you disrespect the flag. I’ve had family DIE for that flag. You have the HONOR to represent your country at the OLYMPIC GAMES!!! It’s crazy to me we live in a society that thinks this is ok! There are ways to protest, and you are able to acknowledge that there are flaws in this nation, without being disrespectful. There’s flaws in ever nation. Yes, racism does exist, but to live in the US and get to represent them at the games is such an honor. That’s such a privilege that she worked hard to earn, then turns around and disrespects the flag. Not to mention some of her past tweets have been so mean and disrespectful.

I think it depends on what you consider disrespect. Turning away from a flag is much different than burning it, stomping on it, or things of that nature. That is disrespect.

Look, I know a post on facebook will ever change someone's core beliefs and values. But, I truly hope that everyone at least speaks to those that are protesting and gains a bit more insight and knowledge into what they are actually trying to say. It's so easy, especially on the internet, to make assumptions and tie it back to what you believe without actually hearing the true message. We are all guilty of reading and believing what we think "backs us up" and legitimizes our beliefs. I follow someone from the cheer world and these boards that has very different political beliefs than I do, and although I don't agree with a lot of his posts and re-tweets, it has opened my eyes and given me great insight. I can at least see some of the other side now, and that's valuable.

 

[NJ Coach]

I never once said all protesting is bad. I think protesting, when used correctly, is very effect message, for instance, a March is a very good way to protest. Where I draw the line is when you disrespect the flag. I’ve had family DIE for that flag. You have the HONOR to represent your country at the OLYMPIC GAMES!!! It’s crazy to me we live in a society that thinks this is ok! There are ways to protest, and you are able to acknowledge that there are flaws in this nation, without being disrespectful. There’s flaws in ever nation. Yes, racism does exist, but to live in the US and get to represent them at the games is such an honor. That’s such a privilege that she worked hard to earn, then turns around and disrespects the flag. Not to mention some of her past tweets have been so mean and disrespectful.

Everything you just pointed out was her exercising her First Amendment right. What greater way to show how amazing our country is than that? In many places around the world, what she did would lead to some horrific consequences. We are not one of those places. You don't have to agree with what she has done, or said, as the case may be. You have every right to disagree with her, just as she has every right to disagree with you. That is the beauty and burden of this country.

 

[Keep_Believing]

There’s an image were two people are looking at the same picture. Depending on where you are standing it looks completely different. That’s what this makes me think of.

 

[Keep_Believing]

I help run a free Facebook group that shares info. about College Cheer. To join you have to answer 2 very simple questions and agree to follow the rules. Over half the people that request don’t answer the questions/agree to the rules.. Why???? It’s so easy……. #firstworldproblems

 

[CoachTamara]

I help run a free Facebook group that shares info. about College Cheer. To join you have to answer 2 very simple questions and agree to follow the rules. Over half the people that request don’t answer the questions/agree to the rules.. Why???? It’s so easy……. #firstworldproblems

I seriously wish there was a group like yours for every state, especially California! Maybe some state don't need it as much, but ugh. So valuable.

 

[Keep_Believing]

I seriously wish there was a group like yours for every state, especially California! Maybe some state don't need it as much, but ugh. So valuable.

Thanks, that means a lot coming from you. :)

 

[Sterling von Shimmer]

Are shimmies private now? If so, then bragging about them on my resume/holiday letter seems silly.

 

[catlady]

You are entitled to your opinion, but there are plenty of people who feel that what she did was not disrespectful. The two posts on the last page are well written and explain my feelings very well.

Agreed. Every single military person I know will say, "That's what we fight for." What most of my long retired military friends will also say, it takes relationships, awareness, and usually several generations to change the hearts and mentality of people and make actual change.

They also tend to believe activism brings awareness, however, it lacks building relationships and for that reason is usually superficial only translating into votes and power for a handful of elites. The morsels of change they throw, usually leave many individuals in those groups continuing to feel disrespected. Many military personnel believe America is under attack by outsiders purposely pitting us against one another. Whether social economics, politics, race, religion, sexual orientation, women's rights, science, etc, they feel many are betting heavily on "United We Stand, Divided We Fall." Gwen Barry turning her back to the flag will receive cheers from some, boos from others, possibly an endorsement deal, maybe even eventually change our National Anthem. However, it's never been in the best interest of our elites and political leaders to truly unite us. There's a guy on Tik Tok talking about a huge bbq/shindig/whatever you call your party, and what every race can bring to it (as long as there are no raisins in the potato salad). He's my hero.

 

[ErinS]

How do you all feel about Gwen Barry turning her back on the flag and everything she did with the anthem? I’d love to hear y’all’s opinions. Personally coming from a family that has lots of military myself, I find it extremely disrespectful, and don’t think she should represent this country in the Olympic Games. You can respect there are problems in this nation and try to fix it without being disrespectful. That flag you turned your back from, that anthem you covered your face from, people died for that. People died for this country. Show some respect. And don’t represent a country your not proud of in the Olympic Games. Idk, just my opinion of it

https://time.com/5764614/political-protests-olympics-ioc-ban/


She’s not the first, she won’t be the last. I appreciate what she did, I respect what she did.

I am also the child of a veteran, niece of a veteran, grandchild of a veteran. I had ancestors that fought for the confederacy during the Civil War and spoiler alert, I’m black and so were they, so you know what that means .

I am a teacher (librarian) and a cheer coach. At work, while coaching, and at any sporting event (school related or otherwise), I sit for the pledge, the anthem, I do not recite. I do not sing. I do not salute. I do not stand. I have done so since 2015 (prior to Colin Kapernick, and if you want to know why I will gladly tell you) and will probably continue to do so for the remainder of my life. My veteran father and my veteran uncle do not care, nor would I ever use their service as an excuse to not do what I believe in, when the reality is their service is the reason why I am able to do what I believe.


I know there has been discussion of barring protest from the Olympic Games and I think it’s unfortunate and shameful. That platform has been and always been the perfect stage. What other opportunity is there where all the nation of the world come together in an arena that’s not rooted in war, elitism or a pandemic.

 

[cac4life]

https://time.com/5764614/political-protests-olympics-ioc-ban/


She’s not the first, she won’t be the last. I appreciate what she did, I respect what she did.

I am also the child of a veteran, niece of a veteran, grandchild of a veteran. I had ancestors that fought for the confederacy during the Civil War and spoiler alert, I’m black and so were they, so you know what that means .

I am a teacher (librarian) and a cheer coach. At work, while coaching, and at any sporting event (school related or otherwise), I sit for the pledge, the anthem, I do not recite. I do not sing. I do not salute. I do not stand. I have done so since 2015 (prior to Colin Kapernick, and if you want to know why I will gladly tell you) and will probably continue to do so for the remainder of my life. My veteran father and my veteran uncle do not care, nor would I ever use their service as an excuse to not do what I believe in, when the reality is their service is the reason why I am able to do what I believe.


I know there has been discussion of barring protest from the Olympic Games and I think it’s unfortunate and shameful. That platform has been and always been the perfect stage. What other opportunity is there where all the nation of the world come together in an arena that’s not rooted in war, elitism or a pandemic.

Why do u not stand?

 

[ErinS]

Why do u not stand?

I stopped in 2015 when my former boss and former student were killed at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston , SC. The aftermath—which you won’t get from my perspective because you didn’t live it.