Stephen A. Smith goes IN on Colin Keapernick for not voiting

[MeachTheMonster]

Nah....I'm going to be real about it. Use the process to make it work...don't blame its existence and say it never worked. We aren't vested enough in it to make it work.

I agree with this, but that goes for the majority of Americans.

Only 50% of registered voters actually voted, and even more didn't even register. It's not a black problem, it's the reality of this countries democracy.

Both sides have always worked to suppress the vote, less people voting means they can better control the people that do decide to vote.

 

[NYC Rebel]

I agree with this, but that goes for the majority of Americans.

Only 50% of registered voters actually voted, and even more didn't even register. It's not a black problem, it's the reality of this countries democracy.

Both sides have always worked to suppress the vote, less people voting means they can better control the people that do decide to vote.

No doubt....and to your point, we have to realize that we can't be like the majority of Americans. We can't afford it. We don't have the capital to be as dismissive. We are in too fragile a state to be like "them."

 

[WheatThins]

Bullshyt.

I made one reference.

Let's be real....most of our parents had no vested interest in local politics of any kind. My dad was too busy off in another country while my mom was trying to get by. That was the case for most of us.

My dad was the last person to get shyt done in his hometown, and that was back 14 years ago....and I have to go home and hear folks tell me he was the last one who made it work. No....it's not on him and who was elected...it's on you and who you chose. Now you think its criminal that I carry the same expectations of kin folks here?

Nah....I'm going to be real about it. Use the process to make it work...don't blame its existence and say it never worked. We aren't vested enough in it to make it work.

dude, more anecdotal. im not going back and forth on this anymore, we both just feel differently about the process and maybe the whole system.

all i will tell you is that you earlier comment is that i actually live on the other side of atlanta, meaning that this is happening in 2 of the main african-american communities in atlanta.

sure. guess it's just a coincidence of the majority of black people in atlanta consistently voting horribly. so glad this is not happening to black people anywhere else right

 

[NYC Rebel]

dude, more anecdotal. im not going back and forth on this anymore, we both just feel differently about the process and maybe the whole system.

all i will tell you is that you earlier comment is that i actually live on the other side of atlanta, meaning that this is happening in 2 of the main african-american communities in atlanta.

sure. guess it's just a coincidence of the majority of black people in atlanta consistently voting horribly. so glad this is not happening to black people anywhere else right

Listen....I completely understand your angst at the process.

It's legit....

 

[USSInsiders]

the popular candidate didnt win so what would voting done woulda lost either way

Let California and New York determine the election every single cycle brehs.

 

[MeachTheMonster]

No doubt....and to your point, we have to realize that we can't be like the majority of Americans. We can't afford it. We don't have the capital to be as dismissive. We are in too fragile a state to be like "them."

IMO

That makes a non-vote from a black person that much more powerful.

If black people are the tipping point, and black people reserve their votes for candidates that deserve it, then more candidates will work to gain the black vote, as opposed to expecting to get it by default like Hillary did.

 

[Nigerianwonder]

No doubt....and to your point, we have to realize that we can't be like the majority of Americans. We can't afford it. We don't have the capital to be as dismissive. We are in too fragile a state to be like "them."

Black people ARE americans though so it's not realistic to expect blacks to be almost perfect. But that's what you have to be to avoid the traps they placed in black communities if you want to succeed. But that's not realistic for the masses. So at some point you have to deal with that reality.

We cant be like the majority of americans cause we are not treated the same as other americans. They don't deliberately poison the water in white communities. They dont over police white communities or target them with unhealthy foods, bad loans, lower quality healthcare etc.. voting wont fix racism.

 

[AVXL]

are these parties not part of a political system that's broken? Or did you just feel like typing that by all means. For argument sake what what were any of those candidates proposing that would entice working class ethnic minorities? Gary Johnson and Ron Paul are life long republicans calling once self libertarian one morning doesn't change shyt.

dude for most of congress and Senate's existence it's been occupied by the 2 parties irrespective of how many parties there are in politics. Before election day republicans held most of those seats and after election day republicans hold most of those seats. I will hold off on the insults females often resort to that when they get emotional why you are about this only heaven knows

Then write in someone you believe in. That was the point of making that statement. And as I've tried to make clear to y'all, there are more issues to vote on than who the next President is. Do you even care to be informed enough to know what those issues are? We're the only race of people to say "the system is broken! The system is broken!" and then do nothing to activate any type of change fix it

@AVXL

There's a couple there he should have voted on, if that is in fact his ballot.

Nothing I can say about that, but still the main criticism from Stephen A and others is about voting for President. And I still don't think voting is the best way to personally impart change.

He could have voted for school funding, or he could go fund some schools. he is choosing the later. Not choosing the former does not discredit what he is doing.

I'm not naive. Voting alone is not going to solve our societal issues. But I would much rather have our people be informed about our issues and be socially active and vote on what matters to our community than say fukk it and not do anything

i can vote and still have no control over whatever decision my politician makes. my politician can lie to me and do anything they want. im not getting what you dont understand about that.

i am from of one of the most poorest areas in atlanta and have seen my parents house value drop tremendously, be flooded with section 8 vouchers to lower property value for developers to build nice as houses that none of the old residents can afford and all of my schools i went to have plummeted in quality (either no longer exist or horrible teachers/materials/funding, my high school barely could afford a yearbook, shyt was fukking terrible). this area is largely democrat and always has been and has been deteriorating from the moment i was born, literally. please tell me how my parents voting these past +25 years has helped them.

its like you guys dont live in reality at all.

Breh Im born, bred and currently live in Atlanta. There is nothing about Atlanta you gonna tell me about this city that I don't know or haven't already experienced. There are multiple things that have been voted on in local elections around here besides politicians that have influenced the things your family has experienced (tax allocation, infrastructures projects, park projects, etc). There are a ton of variables that have impacted your family and millions of other Atlanta families...blaming your family's misfortunes on voting is one of the most dishonest and disingenuous things I've ever read on here

 

[MeachTheMonster]

I'm not naive. Voting alone is not going to solve our societal issues. But I would much rather have our people be informed about our issues and be socially active and vote on what matters to our community than say fukk it and not do anything

But Kap didn't say fukk it and do nothing.

He said "fukk it i'll do my own thing"

Nothing wrong with that IMO.

 

[Truefan31]

As I've explained to you numerous times there are other things to vote on besides politicians. There are votes on issues that directly involve him including taxes, infrastructure projects, etc. Some of those directly influence his paycheck and community. Voting on those issues are important that don't involve selecting people you feel are apart of a rigged system



See my above post. Voting on whether tax money should go to help build a hospital or a park for inner city youth isn't systematic oppression. Stop defending his position that it's ok not to vote, it's not. You vote on things that can improve people's lives and have nothing to do with an elected official



Do you understand that there were more things to vote on than the President?



Alotta lies in this post and especially the bold. Colin's position is an ignorant one. Does voting solve all of society's issues? No and no one should ever think that. But to not participate in the process because youre so misguided & disillusioned isn't a good reason either. Things can change through voting in combination with protest you can make great things happen to benefit local communities. You need both, you can't have one and expect things to change, it has never worked that way in this country

I understand you disagree on him not voting. But to him he's doing what he feels is right to him. Let him cook. He's not even 30 years old. He'll learn a lot as he grows and learns. Last thing he needs is others tearing him down. c00ns like sas don't understand, would rather play armchair qb and judge from a distance. They bagged on him for sitting during the anthem but the message was sent. I think he knew by not voting it'd get the issue again presented on a public platform.

The whole system to him is oppressive. All the other items on the ticket seem important but to him I bet it's just part of participating in the oppressive system. If you allocate money to these things, what money/resources are not getting these things? If you give to this, what's being taken away? Lotta variables.

 

[AVXL]

But Kap didn't say fukk it and do nothing.

He said "fukk it i'll do my own thing"

Nothing wrong with that IMO.

That's certainly his right. But I think he has to understand that people are gonna criticize him for not completely being a part of truly solving the issues in our society

 

[Truefan31]

That's certainly his right. But I think he has to understand that people are gonna criticize him for not completely being a part of truly solving the issues in our society

I think he knows he'll be criticized, it's what media does. But it gave him another chance to address the issue he feels is important.

Him waiting in line to fill a ballot to him is like the establishment tellin him "that's being a good lil nikka get in line"

 

[AVXL]

I understand you disagree on him not voting. But to him he's doing what he feels is right to him. Let him cook. He's not even 30 years old. He'll learn a lot as he grows and learns. Last thing he needs is others tearing him down. c00ns like sas don't understand, would rather play armchair qb and judge from a distance. They bagged on him for sitting during the anthem but the message was sent. I think he knew by not voting it'd get the issue again presented on a public platform.

The whole system to him is oppressive. All the other items on the ticket seem important but to him I bet it's just part of participating in the oppressive system. If you allocate money to these things, what money/resources are not getting these things? If you give to this, what's being taken away? Lotta variables.

If this whole process leads to him becoming a more involved and thoughtful citizen who impacts change in multiple ways including voting then I think that ultimately it will be a good thing. But part of his growth is going to be understanding that he has to be more responsible with his platform and the message he's sending about what he's standing for. I'm mad at Kaep for this but I still think he's done great things and capable of doing even greater. But not voting isn't a defensible position especially with everything he's fighting for (not just the politicians)

 

[NYC Rebel]

If this whole process leads to him becoming a more involved and thoughtful citizen who impacts change in multiple ways including voting then I think that ultimately it will be a good thing. But part of his growth is going to be understanding that he has to be more responsible with his platform and the message he's sending about what he's standing for. I'm mad at Kaep for this but I still think he's done great things and capable of doing even greater. But not voting isn't a defensible position especially with everything he's fighting for (not just the politicians)

Exactly.

It's easy to see that we aren't upset for Sassy A Smith selfish reasons. I just want him to be a bit more responsible with his message.

 

[Ronnie Lott]

I understand you disagree on him not voting. But to him he's doing what he feels is right to him. Let him cook. He's not even 30 years old. He'll learn a lot as he grows and learns. Last thing he needs is others tearing him down. c00ns like sas don't understand, would rather play armchair qb and judge from a distance. They bagged on him for sitting during the anthem but the message was sent. I think he knew by not voting it'd get the issue again presented on a public platform.

The whole system to him is oppressive. All the other items on the ticket seem important but to him I bet it's just part of participating in the oppressive system. If you allocate money to these things, what money/resources are not getting these things? If you give to this, what's being taken away? Lotta variables.

Exactly. Kaep is a lot smarter than people think he is