Early Sunday morning, after a night of dancing, drinks and late-night roadside burgers, a couple of friends and I hailed a taxi back to campus, eager to rest our tired bodies and spend the next twenty-four hours recuperating before Monday classes. Minus the Irish rain, which I had become all too familiar with, the scene was no different than one I have experienced dozens of times post-Shooters in Durham. However, to ensure that I would be ready for academic pursuits the following day, I needed to preserve the full integrity of my accustomed weekend ritual—even whilst abroad.
Dicey’s Garden Bar filled the void of the Shooters II Saloon, but what would substitute for watching the NFL all Sunday long at The Loop? I asked the cab driver, “Where is the best place to watch football around here?” as we cruised through the winding roads of Dublin. He replied that the All-Ireland Final would be on next Saturday.
“I’m sorry, sir, I didn’t mean soccer,” I said.
“Me neither,” he replied.
My cab driver was referring to a sport known as Gaelic football, Ireland’s most popular sport, which he contended was the “greatest game in the world.” We spent the remainder of the ride debating which was better—American football or Gaelic football—and not once did we even mention the sport that is referred to as “football” by the other 99.5 percent of the world population.
Citing the physicality and creativity, I made my case for American football, and, citing the fast pace and skill, my cab driver made his case for Gaelic. As the debate got more passionate and the discussion devolved into a shouting match, we quickly realized that neither side was going to convince the other. The argument extended beyond which game was more enjoyable to watch—so furious a dispute could never arise from a disagreement purely over sport. The stances we take, even those about games played by grown men wearing colorful costumes, are rooted in deeper beliefs influenced by our backgrounds. For this reason, it is especially intriguing when those grown men in colorful costumes decide to take a stance by taking a knee for the national anthem.
You would be surprised how popular a topic of conversation American news is in Ireland. From the 2016 election to the martyrdom of Harambe, you will hear it all on any given night in Dublin. You also hear about Colin Kaepernick’s protest. In Ireland, they do not play the national anthem before sporting events; however, the Irish whom I have encountered wouldn’t fathom sitting while it plays. The Irish, like many Americans, are very proud of their national identity, which is why my cab driver so vehemently defended his sport, and I so vehemently defended mine. Gaelic football and American football are cultural staples that are as much a part of the national identity as the flags that are flown in stadiums dedicated to hosting their play.
To understand why Kaepernick chose to disrespect his country’s flag, an analysis of his background is required, which gave rise to the factors that contributed to his decision. I don’t wish to circumvent the question by providing either of the two equally unsatisfactory answers given by television show hosts, politicians and athletes who don’t wish to alienate their social media followers. I will not sing along to the tune of “Kaepernick is in his right to sit—it’s in the Constitution because America is great!” or “Kaepernick has a right to be upset, but he should not display his discontent during the national anthem because America is great!” and, as a result, take a pliable stahce.
I respect what Kaepernick is doing but I don’t respect Kaepernick. There certainly are problems of social injustice in America. Discrimination against blacks and people of color is eminent and ubiquitous. Police brutality, racial profiling and heightened punishment for nonviolent crimes all occur in the United States, and need to be eradicated so that our nation can continue to progress. Kneeling during the national anthem brings attention to these issues. Yes, it’s shocking—the first time it happened and every time it happens, I shake my head in disgust—but that’s the point. The protest is unavoidable and therefore dialogue is unavoidable. When the flag is disrespected, people talk about it. Unfortunately, when regular acts of discrimination occur, they do not, or at least not to this extent. I respect that people wish to catalyze social change and I respect that they are passionate enough to do something about it.
At the same time, I do not respect Kaepernick. He is uninformed and desperate for attention, as evidenced by his announcement that he would donate the proceeds from his unbelievably-high-for-a-backup-quarterback jersey sales “back into the communities.” He couldn’t even take the time to learn about a charity with interests that aligned with his “cause” or name a specific community in need.
If Kaepernick were consistent in his stance, actually risking anything or pushed the limit by any particular act of injustice, I could respect his decision to kneel. But Kaepernick has always stood for the anthem—throughout high school, college and the pros—and kneeling only increased his job security as the media would have viewed his release as a response to his political demonstration rather than his poor play undeserving of 18 million dollars per year.
Kaepernick then lost his starting job to Jacksonville Jaguars castaway Blaine Gabbert. Kaepernick decided to begin his protest in Week 3 of the preseason—coincidentally when he found out that Gabbert would be the starter—rather than at the beginning of the preseason, during which issues of social injustice remained equally prominent. Kaepernick did not want to become lost in the shadows, so he found a way to keep the spotlight without being under center.
Regardless of what we think of Kaepernick or the protesting of the national anthem, we should all treat our countries a little bit more like we treat the football teams of which we are proud fans. We should root for them and enjoy what they provide us, but we should want them to get better at the same time. When we point out the flaws in our teams, whether it be offense, defense or special teams, we consider that criticism an act of passion, not hate—it should be the same for our countries.
Jacob Weiss is a Trinity junior, studying abroad in Dublin. His column, "ulysses," runs on alternate Thursdays.
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Jacob Weiss is a Trinity senior. His column, "not jumping to any conclusions," runs on alternate Fridays.