It looks like Carolina Panthers Quarterback Cam Newton is taking the neutral route, or the “all lives matter” approach when comes to race and social injustices in America. In a recent interview with ESPN’s Trey Wingo, the Black QB pulled the “We’re all the same color” as it pertains to Colin Kaepernick’s decision not to stand during the National Anthem in protest of police brutality.
“What I can’t fathom is how does 1/8 of an inch, something so small be the difference in such a big commodity in our whole lifetime, and that’s the thickness of our skin,” said Newton. “And under that, we’re all the same color. And that’s the big picture.”
Thanks Cameron. That was very “all lives matter” of you to say. This was a cute and politically correct response, but it was his following rebuttals that made him appear as if he was tap dancing for his white fans, while pissing off his Black supporters.
“A lot of scrutiny happens when the athletes start talking about race, but the truth of the matter is we just gotta do right by each other,” he said. “No matter what color you are. Certain things that has happened in our life, in our lifetime, is kind of embarrassing to be affiliated with, but it still happens. Who am I to say, Colin you’re wrong. And who am I to say, you’re right. We all have the right to think whatever we want to think.”
Cameron Jerrell Newton, please shut your mouth. Listen, athletes have the right to speak on social issues or remain mum about them. But what’s frustrating with Newton is that he danced around the questions. What’s even more frustrating is that Newton has a history of being unfairly judged and stigmatized by the media and fans.
This news is so disheartening. In January, shortly before the Super Bowl, he told the media: “I’m an African American quarterback that may scare a lot of people because they haven’t seen nothing that they can compare me to.”
And following the death of the legendary Muhammad Ali, he shared his feeling with the Players’ Tribune saying he idolized the boxing/black activist.
Hmmm. Cam, before you did this interview, maybe you should have asked yourself “What would Muhammad Ali do?”
We need Black athletes or just notable people in general to take a stand for those who are being oppressed. That’s how the message such as police killing unarmed Black men gains attention. So, lets applaud and protect Kaepernick for using his rights to protest for oppressed Black people. Let’s also applaud 49ers safety Eric Reid and Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane for supporting their NFL counterpart.
Your Thoughts?
