Social media has been filled with filled with opinions regarding the Nike ad featuring Colin Kaepernick. Many are in opposition to him and his stance and many applaud him. There are those who have proclaimed that he hasn’t sacrificed anything. Pointing to military and law enforcement workers as true sacrifices in this country. It’s quite disheartening to read but I would be living in my own bubble if I didn’t allow my eyes to read the words and hear the opinions of those who I vehemently oppose. I believe that history has taught us that by listening and trying to understand the views that do not necessarily align with yours, one can actually help in forging change. I’m instantly reminded of the Mahatma Gandhi quote “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. What kind of change do you wish to see?
A sacrifice comes in many forms and is acted out in many ways. There are countless moms across our country and world who have sacrificed their needs for the needs of their children. There are teachers and educators who have sacrificed small luxuries that they’ve wanted in order to purchase school supplies for students in their classrooms. There are undocumented immigrants who have sacrificed freedom in order to ensure a safer life on American soil. There are law enforcement workers who sacrifice every day to serve and protect their neighbors. There are servicemen and servicewomen sacrifice their lives to ensure that Americans can enjoy the very liberties that our constitution outlines. And yes, there are athletes who choose to speak up and risk a job they love doing so that others may see the injustices that are plaguing many in our inner city communities and beyond. Merriam Webster’s dictionary defines the word sacrifice as the “an act of offering to deity something precious”. The definition goes on to include “destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else” and “something given up or lost”.
Social media has been filled with filled with opinions regarding the Nike ad featuring Colin Kaepernick. Many are in opposition to him and his stance and many applaud him. There are those who have proclaimed that he hasn’t sacrificed anything. Pointing to military and law enforcement workers as true sacrifices in this country. It’s quite disheartening to read but I would be living in my own bubble if I didn’t allow my eyes to read the words and hear the opinions of those who I vehemently oppose. I believe that history has taught us that by listening and trying to understand the views that do not necessarily align with yours, one can actually help in forging change. I’m instantly reminded of the Mahatma Gandhi quote “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. What kind of change do you wish to see?
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AuthorMy name is Tamieka Blair and I live on Long Island in New York. I write, I read, I write, I work, I write, I support..I WRITE!!! Archives
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Please note that the viewpoints expressed in this blog are solely my views and do not necessarily represent those of any employer or company associated with Tamieka Blair.
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