This^^^^^
And to add, an NFL player started the protest for his reason. A few others joined thereafter. Nothing much more until President Trump weighed in with the "right message" but "wrong delivery." Then, the NFL all "protested" as a form of "team unity" not inequality of justice. They had to stand as a team to show unity as they win/lose as a team - so they said. However, this week NFL players (on the same team) stood, kneeled, stayed in the locker room, etc. Well, there goes their "team unity" argument. And, some even showed they are racist by raising their fist during the anthem - I view a Nazi salute and the Black Panther/BLM salute as the same - a racist symbol since both recognize the power of a specific race.
Now, few on this board or across America actually know the crime statistics which are reported to, compiled and reported by the FBI. I would advise those that don't know the statistics to do research and not rely on antidotal jibberish that is spewed constantly to support the narrative of the respective commrntator (on either side). However, no minority in any country has the freedoms that ALL citizens in the U.S. have. Those freedoms were fought for and defended since before this country was a country.
All citizens in the U.S. have equal opportunity at birth. Individuals ultimately choose the individual opportunity. Granted, some are born with an "easier" opportunity than others, but that is primarily driven more by class standing in this country than by race. I gaurantee that Jay Z and Beyoncé's children, while black, have a much greater opportunity, than many whites, hispanics, etc. And, yes, one can reverse that statement across any race. That is why, while opportunity is equal, a greater advantage is driven by social class not race. I am not a sociologist, however, I have read many studies that point to social determinants such as single family homes, unwed mothers, community influence (crime, drugs, etc), etc. have more to do with opportunities being squashed than any overt government effort to hold a race down compared to another.
As for police brutality, I don't buy it. Are there "bad cops" - I am sure there are, but to paint a "broad brush" across all police is inappropriate. Police have,arguably, one of the toughest jobs in our country. They are paid a relatively low wage for the job they do. I firmly believe that each police officer wakes up every day hoping/praying that they come home to their families ever evening rather than waking up trying to figure out how the are going to take down a black subject that day. Typically, but maybe not always, it is how ANY subject responds to law enforcemrnt as to how they are likely to be treated. Police officers must react and react quickly at times. Therefore, it is best to abide to law enforcement instructions. In most cases, it is for the subject and the officer's safety. If one feels they are still subject to police brutality, then file a complaint. An example is Michael Bennet and his claim of police brutality in Vegas. Claim was investigated and determined to be unfounded. He was actually uncooperative resulting in the Vegas PD to apprehend him until they could resolve the situation. If he would have complied with law enforcement instructions as they requested, he likely would not have be apprehended.
Back to the NFL, they have no "right to protest" the Anthrm on company time without suffering any consequence the the coach or owner may place on them. They do have a "right to protest" on their own time, which to my knowledge none of them actually have, which I find interesting. And then still, is the inequality they profess to protest really valid or just antidotal?
For the record, I was born within a lower middle class family. I joined the military out of high school, worked hard, went to school and obtained two degrees. I had a very successful military career and have been successful since retiring. I was determined to capitalize on the opportunties that I was afforded many of which came from just doing hard work and doing my best. Led many sailors that had a disadvantaged background and always took pride in watching them become successful too - and it didn't matter their race. We fought together and all bled red.