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Post by soccerloafer on May 14, 2019 6:36:34 GMT -5
Rapinoe is an excellent soccer player. However, her outspoken anti-American positions should disqualify her from a spot representing our country on the US WNT. If she is so unhappy here in the greatest (and most free) nation in history, perhaps she should emigrate to Iran, Saudi Arabia, or Venezuela and see how she gets along. I've had enough of her childish immaturity and disrespect. www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7025223/US-womens-soccer-star-Megan-Rapinoe-says-shell-probably-never-sing-national-anthem-again.html'I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties,' Rapinoe told reporters at the time. Exactly what liberties does she not have? 'There are things that are much more important than soccer,' she said. Perhaps she should be given time to pursue other opportunities.
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Post by jetta25 on May 14, 2019 6:50:02 GMT -5
You mean 'Shut up and play'
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Post by atlfutboldad on May 14, 2019 7:15:19 GMT -5
You mean 'Shut up and play' Or don't. And don't wear the colors of the flag.
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Post by soccerloafer on May 14, 2019 7:16:07 GMT -5
You mean 'Shut up and play' I'm beyond shut up and play. Now it's bye...
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Post by soccerfan30 on May 14, 2019 7:37:59 GMT -5
Nothing in this country has ever changed by keeping your head down and remaining compliant, sometimes you have to go against the status quo to provoke thought.
Do you think if women just remained quiet and accepted the norm that they would have been afforded the right to vote? Do you believe African Americans should have just kept quiet, accepted discriminatory practices and had their civil rights infringed upon?
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Post by justwatching on May 14, 2019 7:44:04 GMT -5
I hope this original post/commentary can and will be deleted by an administrator or something. I think it is great that Rapinoe uses her platform to speak on what she believes. I wish more athletes and other people of influence would have enough bravery and a strong enough conviction to use their platform to make a stance against social injustices. You certainly don't have to agree with her or others on how they protest but to not acknowledge the fact that there are so many inequities across this country that need to be addressed is to choose to remain ignorant.
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Post by atv on May 14, 2019 7:59:14 GMT -5
I’m not overly disgusted and angry by this but understand those they may be. I feel like this is the wrong place and wrong time to protest. Megan Rapinoe is on a downswing anyway. They have very talented midfielders in Tobin, Rose Lavalle, Mallory Pugh, Mewis, Horan etc. that have frankly passed her up. Much like others before, this is much more about the individual athlete needed some attention than about the cause.
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Post by atlfutboldad on May 14, 2019 8:03:26 GMT -5
What's her platform? Because it largely feels like "I hate the country I represent." If she said "until X, Y, Z...I won't stand for the country i represent." More kudos Hegerberg who isn't playing for Norway in the WWC for equally non-specific reasons, despite her country making drastic equality moves that involve redistribution of money from the male players. www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/48130704
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Post by blu on May 14, 2019 8:12:02 GMT -5
It's America, say what you want. Maybe you should be mad at US Soccer and/or coaches for picking her?
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Post by soccerfan30 on May 14, 2019 8:12:58 GMT -5
Lebron James speaks out against social injustice and certain people tell him to "shut up and play, keep politics out of sports"
NFL player Nick Bosa tweets pro Trump remarks and the same people applaud him and flood his social media with praise.
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on May 14, 2019 8:38:59 GMT -5
I hope this original post/commentary can and will be deleted by an administrator or something. I think it is great that Rapinoe uses her platform to speak on what she believes. I wish more athletes and other people of influence would have enough bravery and a strong enough conviction to use their platform to make a stance against social injustices. You certainly don't have to agree with her or others on how they protest but to not acknowledge the fact that there are so many inequities across this country that need to be addressed is to choose to remain ignorant. I hope the original post/commentary is NOT deleted. As far as I can tell, they have not broken any of the established rules for this forum. Additionally, they are not disparaging kids or using foul language. The beauty of Rapinoe choosing to use the Nat'l Team as a medium to express herself and air out her grievances is no different that the original poster using theirs to do a 180 and disagree with her. For the record justwatching I vehemently don't agree with the post. However, the rules of engagement give both sides equal rites in arguing for their respective sides and positions. I think in general both sides grow when we all have healthy debates on topics that we sometimes have to hear and see from the other side's view.
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Post by justwatching on May 14, 2019 8:54:02 GMT -5
What's her platform? Because it largely feels like "I hate the country I represent." If she said "until X, Y, Z...I won't stand for the country i represent." More kudos Hegerberg who isn't playing for Norway in the WWC for equally non-specific reasons, despite her country making drastic equality moves that involve redistribution of money from the male players. www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/48130704from the article she says... After being asked what it would take to restore her former patriotic posture, Rapinoe answered: 'It would take a lot.' 'It would take criminal justice reform. It would take the huge inequality gap that we have to be much better. It would take a lot of progress in LGBTQ rights. We just have such a disparity in this country in so many different ways, inequality in so many different ways... There are things that are much more important than soccer,' she said.She also started her kneeling in support of Colin Kaepernick for his stance on police brutality and racial injustices. These are real issues that all people should care about. It is not a washed up athlete trying to get attention. People with these types of attitudes are a big reason more progress is not being made in this country. Let your sons and daughters, or your friends' sons and daughter, or even people who look like you son's and daughters start getting brutalized, thrown away in prisons at ridiculously high rates, and discriminated against and see if your tune doesn't change.
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Post by Soccerhouse on May 14, 2019 9:04:06 GMT -5
Athletes can choose to use their platforms as they like. An athletes impact and contributions to society often outweighs their performance on the pitch/court/diamond/field. Whether they are role models or take political stances, athletes are some of the most recognizable individuals on the planet. Some remain silent others choose not to. We need differences in opinion and athletes should be allowed to express their opinions.
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Post by justwatching on May 14, 2019 9:07:10 GMT -5
Futsal Gawdess I can appreciate the debate as well and welcome it. Having the debates are the start to attempt to make progress. I was more disgusted by the comments that went along with the original post
If she is so unhappy here in the greatest (and most free) nation in history, perhaps she should emigrate to Iran, Saudi Arabia, or Venezuela and see how she gets along. I've had enough of her childish immaturity and disrespect.
I felt like it was vile, unnecessary, and very disrespectful to a very real topic.
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Post by soccerguru on May 14, 2019 9:18:01 GMT -5
Let's start with Free Speech, she's allowed to stand on her soapbox in the land of the Red, White and Blue!!! Just being able to state publicly her angst, dislikes, issues with our society is a blessing and for that very reason alone, she should be proud to Stand and smile during the National Anthem because in many other so called civilized countries, she could be stoned to death for that same liberty.
America is not perfect but I am so grateful everyday to be apart of the greatest country in the world and I stand and salute the flag with great pride knowing all my family members and other brave men/women that have given the ultimate sacrifice to allow Rapinoe the opportunity to stand up for what she feels is right.
God Bless America!
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Post by greenmonkey on May 14, 2019 9:21:34 GMT -5
On the other side of the debate is the speculation that Jaelene Hinkle was cut from the USWNT roster for her personal opinions and protesting of wearing the LGBTQ pride rainbow numbered jerseys in 2017. the18.com/soccer-entertainment/jaelene-hinkle-uswnt-womens-world-cup?ampCautionary tale of balancing sports figures as role models. Yes the visibility of an athlete (or Hollywood actor) gives one a spotlight and microphone for highlighting a platform. But whats that Spider-Man quote with great power comes great responsibility? Who gets to decide what platforms the athlete support are “acceptable” and or which need to be censored? Interesting debate ...
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Post by atlfutboldad on May 14, 2019 9:33:12 GMT -5
Hinkle needed to shut her mouth. She can have an opinion in public, only if its the correct one. Its interesting that Hinkle was booed in pro games up in the NW while Rapinoe was LOUDLY booed when the USWNT played in the GA dome a couple years ago when she started kneeling.
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Post by oraclesfriend on May 14, 2019 9:39:13 GMT -5
On the other side of the debate is the speculation that Jaelene Hinkle was cut from the USWNT roster for her personal opinions and protesting of wearing the LGBTQ pride rainbow numbered jerseys in 2017. the18.com/soccer-entertainment/jaelene-hinkle-uswnt-womens-world-cup?ampCautionary tale of balancing sports figures as role models. Yes the visibility of an athlete (or Hollywood actor) gives one a spotlight and microphone for highlighting a platform. But whats that Spider-Man quote with great power comes great responsibility? Who gets to decide what platforms the athlete support are “acceptable” and or which need to be censored? Interesting debate ... Any time that you stand up for your beliefs publicly you are running a risk. In Hinkle's case she TURNED down an opportunity to play because they were wearing the rainbow (LGBTQ pride) jerseys. Once you turn down an opportunity to prove yourself you give someone else an edge. Hinkle stood up for her beliefs knowing that she was running that risk. Rapinoe has gotten plenty of threats and her hometown has even taken down pictures of her in the place where her mom works. Both knew they were risking people being angry at them. I respect both athletes for being true to themselves and sticking to their values even if I don't fully agree with either person's stance. I understand what Rapinoe is doing and what she is asking for and don't disagree with those issues, but I am glad that she has to at least stand while she represents the US. She can do whatever she wants for her club team IMO. I am glad that they chose to stay true to their values.
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Post by atv on May 14, 2019 9:51:29 GMT -5
... was this original post made to distract from the fact that TopHat just gobbled up a 1700 member club? hmmm ...
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Post by guest on May 14, 2019 10:38:40 GMT -5
Is it fair to make a distinction here between representing your country (Rapinoe) and playing professionally (Kaepernick)? Rapinoe is taking a stand essentially against her employer (the USA). Just s thought. I won’t get into the weeds of whether her stance is right or wrong.
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Post by soccerloafer on May 14, 2019 11:03:36 GMT -5
... was this original post made to distract from the fact that TopHat just gobbled up a 1700 member club? hmmm ... Not at all.
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Post by soccerloafer on May 14, 2019 11:05:04 GMT -5
Futsal Gawdess I can appreciate the debate as well and welcome it. Having the debates are the start to attempt to make progress. I was more disgusted by the comments that went along with the original post If she is so unhappy here in the greatest (and most free) nation in history, perhaps she should emigrate to Iran, Saudi Arabia, or Venezuela and see how she gets along. I've had enough of her childish immaturity and disrespect. I felt like it was vile, unnecessary, and very disrespectful to a very real topic. Please tell me how that was "vile, unnecessary, and very disrespectful to a very real topic." I find your affinity for censorship much more concerning.
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Post by slickdaddy96 on May 14, 2019 12:26:47 GMT -5
On the other side of the debate is the speculation that Jaelene Hinkle was cut from the USWNT roster for her personal opinions and protesting of wearing the LGBTQ pride rainbow numbered jerseys in 2017. the18.com/soccer-entertainment/jaelene-hinkle-uswnt-womens-world-cup?ampCautionary tale of balancing sports figures as role models. Yes the visibility of an athlete (or Hollywood actor) gives one a spotlight and microphone for highlighting a platform. But whats that Spider-Man quote with great power comes great responsibility? Who gets to decide what platforms the athlete support are “acceptable” and or which need to be censored? Interesting debate ... Any time that you stand up for your beliefs publicly you are running a risk. In Hinkle's case she TURNED down an opportunity to play because they were wearing the rainbow (LGBTQ pride) jerseys. Once you turn down an opportunity to prove yourself you give someone else an edge. Hinkle stood up for her beliefs knowing that she was running that risk. Rapinoe has gotten plenty of threats and her hometown has even taken down pictures of her in the place where her mom works. Both knew they were risking people being angry at them. I respect both athletes for being true to themselves and sticking to their values even if I don't fully agree with either person's stance. I understand what Rapinoe is doing and what she is asking for and don't disagree with those issues, but I am glad that she has to at least stand while she represents the US. She can do whatever she wants for her club team IMO. I am glad that they chose to stay true to their values. My question is why does the LGBTQ and other left-leaning groups find it that they have to get in the average American's face about everything? What happened to live and let live? Sports used to be the one bastion of unilateral support no matter what your political affiliation. Now you can't escape politics in sports either. If a sports team wanted to wear something on their uniforms or speak out about traditional marriage, etc.... the media and LGBTQ community and the left would go apoplectic about it. I don't understand why free speech is a one way street or the social media mobs will destroy you? If you don't believe the "correct" things (who defines correct?), you are labeled a bigot, homophobe, racist, intolerant, etc.... It's sad America used to be a country that lived and let live no matter what your beliefs. Now the militant wing of groups like the LGBTQ community will destroy anyone that doesn't believe what they believe, and they aren't the only group. They are just the loudest one right now. The silent majority of average people that just want people to get along, live and let live, need to stand up against the social media and regular media mobs that destroy people for one comment here or there. It will end up destroying all of us unless we go back to the more civil discord where people could speak their minds without fear of ruining their families and careers.
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Post by Keeperkeeper on May 14, 2019 12:38:37 GMT -5
People can’t live and let live when they are talking about/protesting issues that impact their daily lives. Inaction has rarely changed history.
Sports has always been a venue for protest and change. You can list the political stances at events like the Olympics (and event meant to bring the world together). Throughout history, people use the platforms they have to push society to change in a positive way. There is nothing wrong with Rapinoe simply using her freedom (and her platform) to stand up for those who feel marginalized.
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Post by atlfutboldad on May 14, 2019 12:46:04 GMT -5
Agreed ^ Unfortunately she is a very divisive player due to her outspokenness. Those that support her love her, those that don't despise her. I think its fine if she stands up for what she believes in and is outspoken about it, so long as its not while a sporting the Red/White/Blue. Out of uniform say what you want to say. IMO our national team players (in any sport) should always show respect to the nation they are representing. IMO the social media mob/PC crowd that slickdaddy is speaking about hurts the NWSL brand in the eyes of "Joe Average" sports fan...who I think by-and-large want nothing to do with it. The one area where there is overlap...the national team. I understand that the PC mob is the league's core fanbase but IMO it hurts the league's growth potential, regardless of any casual fan's opinion of LGBTQ community. And I think this hurts the equal earnings potential of the USWNT.
Also, i'm not sure if you win people to your cause by pissing them off. Maybe you do. Doesn't work for me personally.
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Post by slickdaddy96 on May 14, 2019 12:47:15 GMT -5
People can’t live and let live when they are talking about/protesting issues that impact their daily lives. Inaction has rarely changed history. Sports has always been a venue for protest and change. You can list the political stances at events like the Olympics (and event meant to bring the world together). Throughout history, people use the platforms they have to push society to change in a positive way. There is nothing wrong with Rapinoe simply using her freedom (and her platform) to stand up for those who feel marginalized. I was speaking more of the social media mobs that go out and try to destroy people and companies because they do not believe what they believe. Not that those people are actually doing anything to inhibit or make those people's lives less enjoyable. They just don't like the person's stance, so they actively look to destroy those people's lives and companies. People can speak out for whatever they want to speak out for and that is their prerogative. My issue is with these movements on a larger scale destroying people that don't believe the way they do like the florist and cake decorator where people actively went into their businesses to cause trouble and destroy them when they could have just lived and let live by finding a florist or cake decorator that would have been fine taking their money. My liberal friends and even some of my LGBTQ friends told me I was crazy when I told them years ago that the militant wing of their movements will actively seek out people to try to destroy them if they didn't believe what they believed. I now go back and remind them everyday that I told them so. People can have believes counter to someone else's and not actually infringe on each others rights. I think the left forgets that a lot.
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Post by soccerloafer on May 14, 2019 13:25:12 GMT -5
Nothing in this country has ever changed by keeping your head down and remaining compliant, sometimes you have to go against the status quo to provoke thought. Do you think if women just remained quiet and accepted the norm that they would have been afforded the right to vote? Do you believe African Americans should have just kept quiet, accepted discriminatory practices and had their civil rights infringed upon? I think your comparisons are off point. Those were major societal errors that needed correcting. In today's USA, what rights and opportunities are not afforded to the LGBTQ community? Vote - check. Marry - check. Adopt - check (with the exception of a few religious restrictions from private groups). Live where they want - check. To claim they are discriminated against by employers is just not true. Most corporations are so afraid of HR issues that they bend over backwards to not discriminate against anyone (except white males, but that's another story). I've been involved in hiring (and firing) for several major corporations over my career, and I assure you that minorities and LGBTQ members are given tremendous advantages in both hiring and firing. If you think this is not true, you haven't been paying attention or have been completely brainwashed by the MSM. Back to the original point - when you put on the uniform to represent our country, do it well or don't do it at all.
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Post by mistergrinch on May 14, 2019 13:26:37 GMT -5
Funny, history looks fondly upon Ali, Tommie Smith, John Carlos and others who protested.
30 years from now.. how will this look in retrospect? Who will end up on the right side of history?
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Post by sportsdad on May 14, 2019 13:30:03 GMT -5
Rapinoe is an excellent soccer player. However, her outspoken anti-American positions should disqualify her from a spot representing our country on the US WNT. If she is so unhappy here in the greatest (and most free) nation in history, perhaps she should emigrate to Iran, Saudi Arabia, or Venezuela and see how she gets along. I've had enough of her childish immaturity and disrespect. www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7025223/US-womens-soccer-star-Megan-Rapinoe-says-shell-probably-never-sing-national-anthem-again.html'I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties,' Rapinoe told reporters at the time. Exactly what liberties does she not have? 'There are things that are much more important than soccer,' she said. Perhaps she should be given time to pursue other opportunities. Freedom of speech is a marvelous thing. “I don't agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - someone somewhere
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Post by slickdaddy96 on May 14, 2019 13:45:20 GMT -5
Freedom of speech is a marvelous thing. “I don't agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - someone somewhere Unless the MSM or left decide that what you say is "intolerant" even though it isn't and decide to destroy you because you didn't say what they wanted to hear. The sad truth is that quote you say above isn't equal and true for everyone. In fact some would rather only one side of some issues ever be spoken by trying to shame and destroy the other side into silence. There is only one side that does that by the way and it is only because they can't convince the majority of people to believe in what they believe through facts and normal dialogue.
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