For those young people and older bystanders who regret missing the passions and excitement of the Vietnam War era, you’re in luck. Thanks to the NFL and America’s Hyperbolist-in-Chief, the same divisive rhetoric and posturing over the nature of patriotism prevalent in those days has resurfaced, through the sanitized precincts of pro football, no less.
At issue, at least superficially, are kneeling, clenched fists held high, and other gestures of silent player protest during the playing of the national anthem prior to NFL games. The trendsetter was former San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick, who explained in August 2016 that he was protesting racial injustice, particularly the way police officers in many communities mistreat African Americans.