Source: Roland S. Martin
Did Malcolm Jenkins, safety for the Philadelphia Eagles, sell out Eric Reid and Colin Kaepernick? If you ask Reid, the answer is a resounding yes. But does that make it true?
First, what is selling someone out? Well, in layman’s terms, it can mean betraying someone’s confidence. It can also mean selling out one’s own community or yourself, and of course, one can do all three at one time. Basically, selling out means compromising one’s values, beliefs, morality and/or integrity to gain fame, power, wealth or something along those lines.
So, did Jenkins sellout or not? I’ll leave the decision to you. Yes, I have my own opinion on the matter. But you have to decide for yourself. I will, however, layout the back drop for you.
After a string of innocent, Black men and boys–Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Freddie Gray, etc.–being fatally shot, strangled or beaten by the police across the nation, Colin Kaepernick began his protest by sitting during the national anthem. After Nate Boyer, former long snapper of the Seattle Seahawks and Army veteran spoke to Kaepernick, Kaepernick began protesting by taking a knee during the national anthem. It is the stance Boyer suggested once he realized Kaepernick wasn’t protesting the military but the social injustice experienced by minorities by police–the one of the very things Boyer risked his life to prevent. Boyer explained it is the stance he himself and countless other military personnel take during the playing of the anthem especially during times of duress (e.g., fallen soldier, war, etc.).
However, a sector of society still found his protest offensive and complained to the NFL and media outlets. However, most of those who complained either did not truly understand the protest or actually agreed with the police brutality. Then, the President of the United States made the public comment that anyone who didn’t stand for the anthem should be fired (his famous words from The Apprentice). Then, owners started chirping in both directions.
Jump ahead several months, the Players Coalition, the baby of Malcolm Jenkins, comes into play but denies Colin Kaepernick’s existence by denying him an invitation to participate in the discussions with the NFL. Meetings happen with Jenkins, Reid, and several other players with no resolution. Then, allegedly, there are private meetings with just Jenkins and the League officials. Several players exit the Coalition, and the NFL and the Players Coalition announce they have a resolution (the resolution is another story for a different day).
One could argue that too many opinions led Jenkins to the alleged solo meetings with League officials trying to pave the way to a quicker resolution. But another person could argue it looks shady. Like I said the decision of being a sellout is for you to decide.
Whatever you decide, remember this the goal was to end police brutality and gain social justice for minorities. Right now, it looks more like a rubber stamp as individuals like Sandra Bland (Black woman) and Stephon Clark (Latino man) are newer examples of Rice, Gray, Garner and Brown. By the way, protection from police brutality is covered under the 4th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution–the very thing Boyer fought for and risked his life to give EVERYONE in the United States. The very thing Kaepernick, Reid and Jenkins are supposedly fighting for in the grand scheme of things. The question is are they really or is it a “front?”
Source: For The Win (USA Today)