Why The 'Race Card' Is Played

"COLIN KAEPERNICK DOESN'T NEED THE NFL." Colin Kaepernick's star power is bigger NOW than when he was playing football -- and he doesn't need the NFL's platform to be effective in his off-the-field mission ... so says T.I. There are some people who believe without being on an NFL roster, people will lose interest in Kaepernick -- and he'll eventually become irrelevant and fade away. But, not T.I. -- who appeared on "TMZ Live" and explained why Colin's more influential now than ever ... and suggested going back to the NFL might actually take his focus away from the social justice issues he's been tackling. That said, if Colin does get signed and goes back to the league, T.I. says he'll support Kaepernick 100% ... knowing football is still a major passion for the guy. REACTIONS: Mare4 hours ago What exactly has Kaep done for social issues? Reply − joe8 hours ago If KAP DOESN'T NEED THE NFL WHY IS HE SUEING &a

Where Have All the NFL’s National Anthem Protests Gone? One of the biggest offseason storylines of the NFL offseason, the national anthem protests, has been a non-story now that the actual season has kicked off. Through four weeks of play, a handful of players have continued to demonstrate during the anthem by kneeling, sitting, or raising a fist, but they have gone unnoticed for the most part. Perhaps the biggest reason for that is President Trump, who has railed against protesting players on Twitter and in speeches, has remained largely silent about the subject so far. Another reason is many players who were protesting on the field last season have instead been trying to make their voices heard by working in the community to address social and racial issues. Demario Davis of the Saints, a member of the Players Coalition group that strives to address inequity and injustice issues, explained about the difference in thinking this season. “What we’re about is not what’s in

BEWARE OF THE ‘BACKLASH’  Cruise the web and it'll be hard to find one demographic claiming to be under siege. The women say there is a rape culture, unequal opportunities in the workplace and not enough representation across the board. The blacks say that the police are only out to kill them, or put them behind bars. White men claim they are vilified simply for being white men. Each group uses history, statistics, incidents, hashtags as weapons. The hecklers grew louder and bolder. Hats, and shirts with clever slogans became objects of defiance like never before. Big apparel companies saw this then got involved. Becoming symbols of who or what side your on. But each time a group gains a little edge, another group cries foul the complains them back to where they started. For each compromise made, a reversal of fortune occurs...the ‘backlash’. The white man feels discriminated against. “Among whites, 19% said they've "been personally discriminated against"

Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke found guilty of second-degree murder in Laquan McDonald killing Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke was found guilty Friday of second-degree murder in the 2014 fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. Van Dyke, who was also found guilty of 16 counts of aggravated battery, sat impassively in a dark suit -- his shoulders slumped -- as the verdicts were read in the high-profile case. At one point, he sipped water from a bottle. He was found not guilty of official misconduct. The officer's wife sat stoically, arms folded, as the long verdict was delivered. His father lowered his head while some members of the McDonald family held hands. Van Dyke's bond was revoked and sentencing was scheduled for October 31. He was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs. Though he was originally charged with first -degree murder, jurors were instructed Thursday that they also could consider second-degree murder. The panel of eight women and fo

LeBron James Rocks Colin Kaepernick Nike T-Shirt to Lakers Preseason Game LeBron James was wearing some exclusive Nike gear on his way to the Lakers' preseason game against the Kings on Thursday as he sported a 'Kaepernick' t-shirt to Staples Center. James has previously voiced his support for Colin Kaepernick  both as an NFL quarterback  and as the  face of the 30th anniversary of Nike's "Just Do It." campaign . After the apparel brand announced in September  Kaepernick would be used in advertisements  going forward, James  said  he stood for "anybody who believes in change" and added, "I stand with Nike all day, every day." LeBron James has long supported Colin Kaepernick and the movement the former NFL quarterback started by taking a knee in 2016. Now, this shouldn’t come as a huge surprise to anyone. James has  been more outspoken about social issues in recent years . He’s discussed matters like immigration, police brutality, women

Donald Trump’s ‘New Deal’ For African Americans A fter months of ignoring the concerns of African-American voters, and using inflammatory and racially charged rhetoric to reference minorities,  D o n a l d T r u m p decided late in the 2016 presidential campaign to court the Black vote with no true policy initiative and more offensive rhetoric. Then suddenly, just before naming S t e v e B a n n o n , a member of the alt-right, as his administration’s chief strategist , details of Trump’s plan for “The African-Americans” emerged. The 10-point plan, dubbed  “Donald J. Trump’s New Deal For Black America,” detailed a number of what we can assume is part of the President-elect’s policy initiative to be the president for all Americans. Trump boasts about the unemployment rate. He promised in the campaign a “new deal for blacks.” He claims that cracking down on illegal immigrants has helped lift black wages by reducing competition for low-skilled jobs. The rea

NFL players move from protesting on field to working in communities The first four weeks of the NFL season have been marked by encouraging TV ratings; several compelling, high-scoring games; and promising young quarterbacks who are emerging as the league's next-generation stars. The only significant controversy has centered on a roughing-the-passer rule. What's not on that list is the issue that dominated much of last season but has largely receded this year: players calling attention to police brutality and racial injustices by kneeling, sitting or raising a fist during the playing of the national anthem. Though a handful of players have continued to demonstrate, the protests have gone largely unremarked upon — by the league, team owners, broadcasters, fans and, most notably, President Donald Trump. His vitriolic attacks on players one year ago catapulted their protests into a national issue, turned many fans against the league, spurred more players to demonstrate and

Eric Reid: Forged in Struggle The most iconic sports image of our times is Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the National Anthem to protest police violence over the course of the 2016 season. Often these photos are framed with just Kaepernick, as if he is shouldering this burden alone, but when the photographer deigns to pull back, there is one player consistently kneeling beside him. That player is free safety Eric Reid. NFL fans know Eric Reid as a top caliber safety, someone who was a first-round draft pick who made the Pro Bowl in 2013. People following the intersection of sports and politics further learned about Reid this off season, as, like Kaepernick during the previous summer, found himself suspiciously unsigned and ignored—something that could only be read as a kind of punishment for Reid’s insistence on kneeling during the 2017 season and his vocal support of Kaepernick’s message. Reid then joined his “brother” Kaepernick in a collusion lawsuit against the league.

Colin Kaepernick: Kanye West urges NFL player to meet with Donald Trump American rapper Kanye West has urged NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick to "tell your experience directly" to US President Donald Trump. In 2016, Kaepernick was criticised by Trump after he became the first player to kneel during the national anthem to highlight racial injustice. Last month, Trump said Nike had sent a "terrible message" when they named the 30-year-old as the face of the brand's  new advertising campaign  . West urged them to open a "dialogue". Writing on  Twitter  , he said: "Reaching out to Colin Kaepernick. "I would like you to speak with the president to tell him your experience directly. Let's have a dialogue not a diatribe." It comes days after West - now known as Ye - told American news outlet TMZ he had been calling Kaepernick in a bid to take him to the White House. West, who throughout the interview wore a cap bearing th

Congressional Black Caucus: Is it relevant? Formation: March 30, 1971; Motto: "Black people have no permanent friends, no permanent enemies ... just permanent interests." The C o n g r e s s i o n a l B l a c k C a u c u s ( C B C ) is a political organization made up of most African-American members of the United States Congress GOALS : The caucus describes its goals as "positively influencing the course of events pertinent to African-Americans and others of similar experience and situation", and "achieving greater equity for persons of African descent in the design and content of domestic and international programs and services." Closing the achievement and opportunity gaps in education, assuring quality health care for every American, focusing on employment and economic security, ensuring justice for all, retirement security for all Americans, increasing welfare funds, and increasing equity in foreign policy. FUNDING : Fund