[valentine]

Damn it’s good to see Athletes stand up for what they believe in instead of just sitting back and take the risk of losing endorsement deals

https://youtu.be/Su9JqsWijz4

[circumlocution75Participant]

 in this country that No One is talking about. I watch as EVERY year we push kids who can NOT read, write or do Basic math thru one grade after another until eventually they are on the street with ZERO options. I am a High School Teacher. It Literally makes me ill & I feel Helpless b/c I know that these kids are going to struggle their Entire lives

What do people think happens when these kids graduate turn 18 w/ ZERO skills to compete in this World??? I volunteer in the Prison system and I see former students in jail All the time & it is Killing me. I am in the trenches.

I am mixed race, I grew up in one of the Worst neighborhoods in the Entire country – Kennsington…… My Father was a cop w/ addiciton issues & he physically & mentally Tortured us……. We finally escaped – Literally escaped but we were Homeless for close to a year & then on Welfare for several years…..

I promise you once you have been Hungry & there is nothing to eat you Never forget it. I Still have dreams that I am food shopping & I can fill my Whole cart with whatever food I want. Today I can do that but in my childhood THAT was my Dream in Life…….

I became a Teacher & a Coach b/c there was Not one single positive Male role model in my Life growing up. If it wasn’t for my mother I would be in Jail today & so would my brothers – or dead. I was around guns my Entire childhood. I have seen terrible things. But NONE of those guns were purchased LEGALLY – Not One.

I applaud these Athletes for standing up but they need to focus on the Real issue in this country & that is Poor people do NOT take education seriously. I understand how hard it is when you don’t have anything to eat & you live in a rat hole – I experienced it forst hand. 

But young Poor kids – of ALL skin colors – see No connection between doing well in school and a way out. This is Not a Mystery – Education is Freedom!….. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[circumlocution75Participant]

 in this country that No One is talking about. I watch as EVERY year we push kids who can NOT read, write or do Basic math thru one grade after another until eventually they are on the street with ZERO options. I am a High School Teacher. It Literally makes me ill & I feel Helpless b/c I know that these kids are going to struggle their Entire lives

What do people think happens when these kids graduate turn 18 w/ ZERO skills to compete in this World??? I volunteer in the Prison system and I see former students in jail All the time & it is Killing me. I am in the trenches.

I am mixed race, I grew up in one of the Worst neighborhoods in the Entire country – Kennsington…… My Father was a cop w/ addiciton issues & he physically & mentally Tortured us……. We finally escaped – Literally escaped but we were Homeless for close to a year & then on Welfare for several years…..

I promise you once you have been Hungry & there is nothing to eat you Never forget it. I Still have dreams that I am food shopping & I can fill my Whole cart with whatever food I want. Today I can do that but in my childhood THAT was my Dream in Life…….

I became a Teacher & a Coach b/c there was Not one single positive Male role model in my Life growing up. If it wasn’t for my mother I would be in Jail today & so would my brothers – or dead. I was around guns my Entire childhood. I have seen terrible things. But NONE of those guns were purchased LEGALLY – Not One.

I applaud these Athletes for standing up but they need to focus on the Real issue in this country & that is Poor people do NOT take education seriously. I understand how hard it is when you don’t have anything to eat & you live in a rat hole – I experienced it forst hand. 

But young Poor kids – of ALL skin colors – see No connection between doing well in school and a way out. This is Not a Mystery – Education is Freedom!….. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jr. ROXASParticipant]

Speak brotha. Respect.

[Jr. ROXASParticipant]

Speak brotha. Respect.

[Jr. ROXASParticipant]

Speak brotha. Respect.

[Hype Machine]

 Nice work man. Making a difference out there.

[Hype Machine]

 Nice work man. Making a difference out there.

[Hype Machine]

 Nice work man. Making a difference out there.

[BigChamp12Participant]

 I also teach high school and coach at an inner city high school. I strongly disagree withh your opinion that the real issue is "Poor people don’t take education seriously." That couldn’t be further from the truth. From my experience, it’s not the  poor people. It’s the  resources or  lackthereof in their communities. I’ve taught in 2 different school  systems and the difference that having resources is mind blowing. I see the differnce in a school that is ran like a prison, where there are no windows in the classrooms, limited and outdated books, no laptops, wearing uniforms, officers roaming the hallways, adminstrators constantly yelling while at the other schools, you rarely see any officers, windows are intentionally in every classroom, students are given laptops to take home and complete assignments, students can eat out on the lawn. From what I’ve seen, presentation plays a huge part in it. Resources play the biggest part. This is not just in the school, its the communties as well. This is a conversation for another day and place. 

The issue right  now is clearly the injustices to Black people by Police. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s not about Black vs White. Those guys weren’t on stage saying the  "The violence needs to stop. The retaliation needs to stop" just because they felt like it. They’re saying it in response to the  numerous murders of Blacks committed by Policemen,

 

[circumlocution75Participant]

 & this has continued for 40+ years…… I def could have worded "Poor people don’t take education seriously better"

What I mean is that Education is NOT emphasized in poor neighborhoods……. 

Do you know how many times I have been told by TEachers & Social Workers who grew up in the Suburbs& yes Many of them are White but some are AA too – you can’t expect these kids to do well in school when they live under these conditions

I Lose my mind when I hear this b/c I grew up under those conditions — is it Easy??? Of course Not!

But when you are Poor you do Not have a choice!……. All those Suburban people who come down into the "Hood" to teach Leave the Moment they can get a Job at a Suburban school

And they ALL sing the Same song — It’s Racism, these kids need more resources…… they Need positive Male Role models who will Hold them to a Standard b/c they are surrounded by people in the neighborhood who have Given Up…..

I have Taught Thousands of kids since 1993 when I graduated Under-grad & I have heard Dozens of people who did NOT grow up in the inner city say Exactly what you just said

but I have Never seen One of those people EVER give these kids the time of day once they are Pushed through the school system & find themselves in a Hopeless situation…….

This ides that we need Suburban white people to put a Swimming Pool in our inner city schools is Outrageous…… I have taught poor Black & White & Hispanic youth how to write HTML Code, PHP & Java Script w/ No textbooks…..

I’ve taught Basci to Advanced Mathematics w/ One textbook & a Photocopy machine…… School is the ONE chance these kids have to turn their Lives around – it is Literally a Lottery ticket…..

It’s funny people Always ask me (b/c I have taught in a Very Rich School District & VEry Poor school Districts) What is the Difference betwen Poor kids & Rich Kids….. Why does one group fail & one group succeed???

It has Nothing to do with Resources — Rich kids BELIEVE in their Marrow that Everything will Always work out —- Poor kids believe that NOTHING will go their way

And they are BOTH correct — the Mind is a Powerful think – Whatever you think comes true — There were Many more Brilliant Poor kids I have taught b/c they are FORCED to be resourceful to Survive

I don’t know you personally so I don’t want to critcize you but what I just wrote is My personal experience – I have been to Over 50 Student Funerals in 20+ years of teaching, Many have been shootings but there has also been Drug Overdose, Dirt Bike accidents on city streets & even natural causes like Cancer

NOT One of these Deaths made the NEWs…… Funerals for Blacks kids but also Plenty of White & Hispanic kids too & NONE of it makes the News b/c Poor people do Not matter in this country……

If EVERY poor kid Committed themselves to Studying Math, Programming & Science there would be an Economic Revolution in our country – a Good one……. B/c Education raises the floor of Poverty…… I apologize for Pontificating but those of us who Actually Live in the inner city understand Exactly what I am talking about….

Our citizens are Our greatest resource & Children who grow up under these terrible circumstances can become Incredible assets in our Country b/c they have survived Incredible odds & we should look at them Not as Victims but Incredible resources with Incredible potential

Each year I pick out 5 kids out of the 7th grade (My Cert is 7 thru 12 grades) who have No father at home & are considered by the School system to "At Risk" Behavior issues – I invest my personal time, my Wife & I build a relationship w/ their mother or grandmother & we take them to Basketball & Baseball games, we get them involved w/ local Basketball & Boxing teams, we have them over for dinner twice a month & they can reach me Anytime they need advice or just to talk whatever…..

I started doing this in 1998 after about 5 years of teaching when I just could not take it anymore…… The 5 kids I started with in 1998 at 12 years old are now 30 & I Still have a relationship with All of them. They form a brotherhood amongst themselves & now the older ones are their for the younger ones….. Several of them were Better college students then I was – graduating w/ 4.0’s in their chosen Major.

Imagine if Every teacher picked out just One kid & did this — but 90% of the teachers I work with want Nothing to do with Any of these kids – at 12 they have been discarded by the Very adults who were hired to Help them….. 

I sit in meetings & In Services where I here this All the time – people pull out there Violin & talk about Racism – It’s So easy to point the finger & pretend you are actually doing something. But that’s what’s great about complaining, you can wring your hands & act concerned & then drive home to your nice life & tell yourself you are doing something about it.

We need Adults to Set an Example By Investing in these kids —- protests are great – but it’s a whole lot of bacl slapping & telling protest war stories – b/c protesting is Exciting —- You know what is even More exciting Volunteering w/ the Big Brothers & Sisters & INVESTING your Valuable Time w/ a Kid who has No father & being a Part of that kids Development.

I am SO sorry for how long this is – I never get a chance to rant & now I’m spent, I’m Not proofreading that so I apoligize again & thank you for the kind words.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[circumlocution75Participant]

 & this has continued for 40+ years…… I def could have worded "Poor people don’t take education seriously better"

What I mean is that Education is NOT emphasized in poor neighborhoods……. 

Do you know how many times I have been told by TEachers & Social Workers who grew up in the Suburbs& yes Many of them are White but some are AA too – you can’t expect these kids to do well in school when they live under these conditions

I Lose my mind when I hear this b/c I grew up under those conditions — is it Easy??? Of course Not!

But when you are Poor you do Not have a choice!……. All those Suburban people who come down into the "Hood" to teach Leave the Moment they can get a Job at a Suburban school

And they ALL sing the Same song — It’s Racism, these kids need more resources…… they Need positive Male Role models who will Hold them to a Standard b/c they are surrounded by people in the neighborhood who have Given Up…..

I have Taught Thousands of kids since 1993 when I graduated Under-grad & I have heard Dozens of people who did NOT grow up in the inner city say Exactly what you just said

but I have Never seen One of those people EVER give these kids the time of day once they are Pushed through the school system & find themselves in a Hopeless situation…….

This ides that we need Suburban white people to put a Swimming Pool in our inner city schools is Outrageous…… I have taught poor Black & White & Hispanic youth how to write HTML Code, PHP & Java Script w/ No textbooks…..

I’ve taught Basci to Advanced Mathematics w/ One textbook & a Photocopy machine…… School is the ONE chance these kids have to turn their Lives around – it is Literally a Lottery ticket…..

It’s funny people Always ask me (b/c I have taught in a Very Rich School District & VEry Poor school Districts) What is the Difference betwen Poor kids & Rich Kids….. Why does one group fail & one group succeed???

It has Nothing to do with Resources — Rich kids BELIEVE in their Marrow that Everything will Always work out —- Poor kids believe that NOTHING will go their way

And they are BOTH correct — the Mind is a Powerful think – Whatever you think comes true — There were Many more Brilliant Poor kids I have taught b/c they are FORCED to be resourceful to Survive

I don’t know you personally so I don’t want to critcize you but what I just wrote is My personal experience – I have been to Over 50 Student Funerals in 20+ years of teaching, Many have been shootings but there has also been Drug Overdose, Dirt Bike accidents on city streets & even natural causes like Cancer

NOT One of these Deaths made the NEWs…… Funerals for Blacks kids but also Plenty of White & Hispanic kids too & NONE of it makes the News b/c Poor people do Not matter in this country……

If EVERY poor kid Committed themselves to Studying Math, Programming & Science there would be an Economic Revolution in our country – a Good one……. B/c Education raises the floor of Poverty…… I apologize for Pontificating but those of us who Actually Live in the inner city understand Exactly what I am talking about….

Our citizens are Our greatest resource & Children who grow up under these terrible circumstances can become Incredible assets in our Country b/c they have survived Incredible odds & we should look at them Not as Victims but Incredible resources with Incredible potential

Each year I pick out 5 kids out of the 7th grade (My Cert is 7 thru 12 grades) who have No father at home & are considered by the School system to "At Risk" Behavior issues – I invest my personal time, my Wife & I build a relationship w/ their mother or grandmother & we take them to Basketball & Baseball games, we get them involved w/ local Basketball & Boxing teams, we have them over for dinner twice a month & they can reach me Anytime they need advice or just to talk whatever…..

I started doing this in 1998 after about 5 years of teaching when I just could not take it anymore…… The 5 kids I started with in 1998 at 12 years old are now 30 & I Still have a relationship with All of them. They form a brotherhood amongst themselves & now the older ones are their for the younger ones….. Several of them were Better college students then I was – graduating w/ 4.0’s in their chosen Major.

Imagine if Every teacher picked out just One kid & did this — but 90% of the teachers I work with want Nothing to do with Any of these kids – at 12 they have been discarded by the Very adults who were hired to Help them….. 

I sit in meetings & In Services where I here this All the time – people pull out there Violin & talk about Racism – It’s So easy to point the finger & pretend you are actually doing something. But that’s what’s great about complaining, you can wring your hands & act concerned & then drive home to your nice life & tell yourself you are doing something about it.

We need Adults to Set an Example By Investing in these kids —- protests are great – but it’s a whole lot of bacl slapping & telling protest war stories – b/c protesting is Exciting —- You know what is even More exciting Volunteering w/ the Big Brothers & Sisters & INVESTING your Valuable Time w/ a Kid who has No father & being a Part of that kids Development.

I am SO sorry for how long this is – I never get a chance to rant & now I’m spent, I’m Not proofreading that so I apoligize again & thank you for the kind words.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[circumlocution75Participant]

 & this has continued for 40+ years…… I def could have worded "Poor people don’t take education seriously better"

What I mean is that Education is NOT emphasized in poor neighborhoods……. 

Do you know how many times I have been told by TEachers & Social Workers who grew up in the Suburbs& yes Many of them are White but some are AA too – you can’t expect these kids to do well in school when they live under these conditions

I Lose my mind when I hear this b/c I grew up under those conditions — is it Easy??? Of course Not!

But when you are Poor you do Not have a choice!……. All those Suburban people who come down into the "Hood" to teach Leave the Moment they can get a Job at a Suburban school

And they ALL sing the Same song — It’s Racism, these kids need more resources…… they Need positive Male Role models who will Hold them to a Standard b/c they are surrounded by people in the neighborhood who have Given Up…..

I have Taught Thousands of kids since 1993 when I graduated Under-grad & I have heard Dozens of people who did NOT grow up in the inner city say Exactly what you just said

but I have Never seen One of those people EVER give these kids the time of day once they are Pushed through the school system & find themselves in a Hopeless situation…….

This ides that we need Suburban white people to put a Swimming Pool in our inner city schools is Outrageous…… I have taught poor Black & White & Hispanic youth how to write HTML Code, PHP & Java Script w/ No textbooks…..

I’ve taught Basci to Advanced Mathematics w/ One textbook & a Photocopy machine…… School is the ONE chance these kids have to turn their Lives around – it is Literally a Lottery ticket…..

It’s funny people Always ask me (b/c I have taught in a Very Rich School District & VEry Poor school Districts) What is the Difference betwen Poor kids & Rich Kids….. Why does one group fail & one group succeed???

It has Nothing to do with Resources — Rich kids BELIEVE in their Marrow that Everything will Always work out —- Poor kids believe that NOTHING will go their way

And they are BOTH correct — the Mind is a Powerful think – Whatever you think comes true — There were Many more Brilliant Poor kids I have taught b/c they are FORCED to be resourceful to Survive

I don’t know you personally so I don’t want to critcize you but what I just wrote is My personal experience – I have been to Over 50 Student Funerals in 20+ years of teaching, Many have been shootings but there has also been Drug Overdose, Dirt Bike accidents on city streets & even natural causes like Cancer

NOT One of these Deaths made the NEWs…… Funerals for Blacks kids but also Plenty of White & Hispanic kids too & NONE of it makes the News b/c Poor people do Not matter in this country……

If EVERY poor kid Committed themselves to Studying Math, Programming & Science there would be an Economic Revolution in our country – a Good one……. B/c Education raises the floor of Poverty…… I apologize for Pontificating but those of us who Actually Live in the inner city understand Exactly what I am talking about….

Our citizens are Our greatest resource & Children who grow up under these terrible circumstances can become Incredible assets in our Country b/c they have survived Incredible odds & we should look at them Not as Victims but Incredible resources with Incredible potential

Each year I pick out 5 kids out of the 7th grade (My Cert is 7 thru 12 grades) who have No father at home & are considered by the School system to "At Risk" Behavior issues – I invest my personal time, my Wife & I build a relationship w/ their mother or grandmother & we take them to Basketball & Baseball games, we get them involved w/ local Basketball & Boxing teams, we have them over for dinner twice a month & they can reach me Anytime they need advice or just to talk whatever…..

I started doing this in 1998 after about 5 years of teaching when I just could not take it anymore…… The 5 kids I started with in 1998 at 12 years old are now 30 & I Still have a relationship with All of them. They form a brotherhood amongst themselves & now the older ones are their for the younger ones….. Several of them were Better college students then I was – graduating w/ 4.0’s in their chosen Major.

Imagine if Every teacher picked out just One kid & did this — but 90% of the teachers I work with want Nothing to do with Any of these kids – at 12 they have been discarded by the Very adults who were hired to Help them….. 

I sit in meetings & In Services where I here this All the time – people pull out there Violin & talk about Racism – It’s So easy to point the finger & pretend you are actually doing something. But that’s what’s great about complaining, you can wring your hands & act concerned & then drive home to your nice life & tell yourself you are doing something about it.

We need Adults to Set an Example By Investing in these kids —- protests are great – but it’s a whole lot of bacl slapping & telling protest war stories – b/c protesting is Exciting —- You know what is even More exciting Volunteering w/ the Big Brothers & Sisters & INVESTING your Valuable Time w/ a Kid who has No father & being a Part of that kids Development.

I am SO sorry for how long this is – I never get a chance to rant & now I’m spent, I’m Not proofreading that so I apoligize again & thank you for the kind words.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BigChamp12Participant]

 I also teach high school and coach at an inner city high school. I strongly disagree withh your opinion that the real issue is "Poor people don’t take education seriously." That couldn’t be further from the truth. From my experience, it’s not the  poor people. It’s the  resources or  lackthereof in their communities. I’ve taught in 2 different school  systems and the difference that having resources is mind blowing. I see the differnce in a school that is ran like a prison, where there are no windows in the classrooms, limited and outdated books, no laptops, wearing uniforms, officers roaming the hallways, adminstrators constantly yelling while at the other schools, you rarely see any officers, windows are intentionally in every classroom, students are given laptops to take home and complete assignments, students can eat out on the lawn. From what I’ve seen, presentation plays a huge part in it. Resources play the biggest part. This is not just in the school, its the communties as well. This is a conversation for another day and place. 

The issue right  now is clearly the injustices to Black people by Police. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s not about Black vs White. Those guys weren’t on stage saying the  "The violence needs to stop. The retaliation needs to stop" just because they felt like it. They’re saying it in response to the  numerous murders of Blacks committed by Policemen,

 

[BigChamp12Participant]

 I also teach high school and coach at an inner city high school. I strongly disagree withh your opinion that the real issue is "Poor people don’t take education seriously." That couldn’t be further from the truth. From my experience, it’s not the  poor people. It’s the  resources or  lackthereof in their communities. I’ve taught in 2 different school  systems and the difference that having resources is mind blowing. I see the differnce in a school that is ran like a prison, where there are no windows in the classrooms, limited and outdated books, no laptops, wearing uniforms, officers roaming the hallways, adminstrators constantly yelling while at the other schools, you rarely see any officers, windows are intentionally in every classroom, students are given laptops to take home and complete assignments, students can eat out on the lawn. From what I’ve seen, presentation plays a huge part in it. Resources play the biggest part. This is not just in the school, its the communties as well. This is a conversation for another day and place. 

The issue right  now is clearly the injustices to Black people by Police. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s not about Black vs White. Those guys weren’t on stage saying the  "The violence needs to stop. The retaliation needs to stop" just because they felt like it. They’re saying it in response to the  numerous murders of Blacks committed by Policemen,

 

[DolanCareParticipant]

 Thank you sharing from the heart. +1 from me. Your mother sounds like a special person if she was able to keep a bunch of young minds on the straight and narrow while surrounded by violence and no other support system. I also respect that you’re pushing the importance of education on the next generation, I’m sure your efforts have had more affect then you realize. 

I agree with your sentiment, disagree with your ideas. Education is a long-term investment. It’s hard to value a long game when you’re worried about making it through the week. Once a family has some money, some food in the fridge and can finally take a breath, is the moment they have luxury to think about the future.

I didn’t grow up like you, but I have worked with poor kids in the US and throughout the world, so take my opinion for what it is: Someone who has been around poverty from the outside looking in. 

 

 

 

[DolanCareParticipant]

 Thank you sharing from the heart. +1 from me. Your mother sounds like a special person if she was able to keep a bunch of young minds on the straight and narrow while surrounded by violence and no other support system. I also respect that you’re pushing the importance of education on the next generation, I’m sure your efforts have had more affect then you realize. 

I agree with your sentiment, disagree with your ideas. Education is a long-term investment. It’s hard to value a long game when you’re worried about making it through the week. Once a family has some money, some food in the fridge and can finally take a breath, is the moment they have luxury to think about the future.

I didn’t grow up like you, but I have worked with poor kids in the US and throughout the world, so take my opinion for what it is: Someone who has been around poverty from the outside looking in. 

 

 

 

[DolanCareParticipant]

 Thank you sharing from the heart. +1 from me. Your mother sounds like a special person if she was able to keep a bunch of young minds on the straight and narrow while surrounded by violence and no other support system. I also respect that you’re pushing the importance of education on the next generation, I’m sure your efforts have had more affect then you realize. 

I agree with your sentiment, disagree with your ideas. Education is a long-term investment. It’s hard to value a long game when you’re worried about making it through the week. Once a family has some money, some food in the fridge and can finally take a breath, is the moment they have luxury to think about the future.

I didn’t grow up like you, but I have worked with poor kids in the US and throughout the world, so take my opinion for what it is: Someone who has been around poverty from the outside looking in. 

 

 

 

[circumlocution75Participant]

 in this country that No One is talking about. I watch as EVERY year we push kids who can NOT read, write or do Basic math thru one grade after another until eventually they are on the street with ZERO options. I am a High School Teacher. It Literally makes me ill & I feel Helpless b/c I know that these kids are going to struggle their Entire lives

What do people think happens when these kids graduate turn 18 w/ ZERO skills to compete in this World??? I volunteer in the Prison system and I see former students in jail All the time & it is Killing me. I am in the trenches.

I am mixed race, I grew up in one of the Worst neighborhoods in the Entire country – Kennsington…… My Father was a cop w/ addiciton issues & he physically & mentally Tortured us……. We finally escaped – Literally escaped but we were Homeless for close to a year & then on Welfare for several years…..

I promise you once you have been Hungry & there is nothing to eat you Never forget it. I Still have dreams that I am food shopping & I can fill my Whole cart with whatever food I want. Today I can do that but in my childhood THAT was my Dream in Life…….

I became a Teacher & a Coach b/c there was Not one single positive Male role model in my Life growing up. If it wasn’t for my mother I would be in Jail today & so would my brothers – or dead. I was around guns my Entire childhood. I have seen terrible things. But NONE of those guns were purchased LEGALLY – Not One.

I applaud these Athletes for standing up but they need to focus on the Real issue in this country & that is Poor people do NOT take education seriously. I understand how hard it is when you don’t have anything to eat & you live in a rat hole – I experienced it forst hand. 

But young Poor kids – of ALL skin colors – see No connection between doing well in school and a way out. This is Not a Mystery – Education is Freedom!….. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 They are puppets can’t stand them. I work in law enforcement. I am from inner city. Illegal guns cause almost all the violence in the hood. Unless they want to stop the drug trade wich they do not guns will be in criminals hands. I work in law enforcement and am the son of a police officer. Never give up your rights to bear arms. It is a risk to enslavement. Trust me. I don’t care what terrorist act happens. We keeping our guns. For Melo,Lebron,Paul three of the corniest dudes I have ever seen in the NBA.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 They are puppets can’t stand them. I work in law enforcement. I am from inner city. Illegal guns cause almost all the violence in the hood. Unless they want to stop the drug trade wich they do not guns will be in criminals hands. I work in law enforcement and am the son of a police officer. Never give up your rights to bear arms. It is a risk to enslavement. Trust me. I don’t care what terrorist act happens. We keeping our guns. For Melo,Lebron,Paul three of the corniest dudes I have ever seen in the NBA.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 They are puppets can’t stand them. I work in law enforcement. I am from inner city. Illegal guns cause almost all the violence in the hood. Unless they want to stop the drug trade wich they do not guns will be in criminals hands. I work in law enforcement and am the son of a police officer. Never give up your rights to bear arms. It is a risk to enslavement. Trust me. I don’t care what terrorist act happens. We keeping our guns. For Melo,Lebron,Paul three of the corniest dudes I have ever seen in the NBA.

[BigChamp12Participant]

 They said the gun violence need to stop. They didn’t say guns need to be banned.

[BigChamp12Participant]

 They said the gun violence need to stop. They didn’t say guns need to be banned.

[BigChamp12Participant]

 They said the gun violence need to stop. They didn’t say guns need to be banned.

[BigChamp12Participant]

 Why was this post negged? Did I miss something? Those guys spoke on a serious issue that is going on in the US and they spoke about BOTH SIDES needing to do better. They didn’t point the blame (which they easily could’ve) and they called for their peers to stand up and make a difference in their communities. Wow! I really dont understand why this post was negged.

[dcaseParticipant]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing.  So often I hear people say "athletes need to use their platform more to speak out on social issues"…..which these guys did last night.  I guess it is bit of damned if you do, damed if you don’t.  With that being said it did come across a little staged and I’m sure people’s dislike for them as players influence how they perceived the message.  It will be interesting to see what these four do moving forward regarding speaking out on various social issues.  Its easy to have a voice when the topic is new and hot in the media and there is public outrage.  The question is how vocal will they be and active in taking a stand as time passes and media coverage dies down….despite the problems related to gun violence, racism, disconnect between law enforcement and various communities, etc. not going away.

[dcaseParticipant]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing.  So often I hear people say "athletes need to use their platform more to speak out on social issues"…..which these guys did last night.  I guess it is bit of damned if you do, damed if you don’t.  With that being said it did come across a little staged and I’m sure people’s dislike for them as players influence how they perceived the message.  It will be interesting to see what these four do moving forward regarding speaking out on various social issues.  Its easy to have a voice when the topic is new and hot in the media and there is public outrage.  The question is how vocal will they be and active in taking a stand as time passes and media coverage dies down….despite the problems related to gun violence, racism, disconnect between law enforcement and various communities, etc. not going away.

[dcaseParticipant]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing.  So often I hear people say "athletes need to use their platform more to speak out on social issues"…..which these guys did last night.  I guess it is bit of damned if you do, damed if you don’t.  With that being said it did come across a little staged and I’m sure people’s dislike for them as players influence how they perceived the message.  It will be interesting to see what these four do moving forward regarding speaking out on various social issues.  Its easy to have a voice when the topic is new and hot in the media and there is public outrage.  The question is how vocal will they be and active in taking a stand as time passes and media coverage dies down….despite the problems related to gun violence, racism, disconnect between law enforcement and various communities, etc. not going away.

[BigChamp12Participant]

 Why was this post negged? Did I miss something? Those guys spoke on a serious issue that is going on in the US and they spoke about BOTH SIDES needing to do better. They didn’t point the blame (which they easily could’ve) and they called for their peers to stand up and make a difference in their communities. Wow! I really dont understand why this post was negged.

[BigChamp12Participant]

 Why was this post negged? Did I miss something? Those guys spoke on a serious issue that is going on in the US and they spoke about BOTH SIDES needing to do better. They didn’t point the blame (which they easily could’ve) and they called for their peers to stand up and make a difference in their communities. Wow! I really dont understand why this post was negged.

[Author]

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