Since electing to protest police brutality by sitting down during a pre-game performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner," San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has faced accusations of showing disrespect to America's veterans.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees told ESPN that Kaepernick's protest bothered him "all day long," citing the sacrifices made by the service members in his family.
CBS commentator Boomer Esiason was even more explicit:
"I find it completely disrespectful, not only to the military, but to the men and women who wear the blue uniform and protect our cities every —— day," the former Jets quarterback said at a network event, according to a Newsday report.
But it turns out there are a lot of actual veterans who not only don't feel disrespected but are really into what Kaepernick did.
Using the Twitter hashtag #VeteransForKaepernick, many former soldiers, sailors, and Marines voiced support for Kaepernick's protest and welcomed the conversation it started.
Many chafed at the notion of being used as a political prop.
Others expressed their solidarity with the quarterback.
I support you brother @Kaepernick7 #veteransforkaepernick I served 2x Iraq and 2x afghanistan.purple heart recipient https://t.co/xXtPovkPqx— Tattoos by Marzmade (@Tattoos by Marzmade) 1472650473
Still others noted that defending Kaepernick's right to speak his mind is part of the job.
Gave 4yrs of my life to the Marine Corps. You don't pick & choose the rights you defend. #VeteransForKaepernick https://t.co/W5RMjLWmE6— Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo (@Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo) 1472648410
#VeteransForKaepernick because whats the purpose of defending "Freedom" if we scrutinize minorities who express it? https://t.co/0GAoZTkuzD— KIΠG (@KIΠG) 1472647003
This man using his privilege -exercising right to peacefully protest = exactly why I served #VeteransForKaepernick https://t.co/mzjMwlDigq— Sheila L Holmes (@Sheila L Holmes) 1472644942
Veterans, like any other group, don't all think the same thing at the same time.
Some service members and their families, like Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Alejandro Villanueva, who expressed disappointment with Kaepernick, or Gold Star mother Teri Johnson, whose critical open letter to the quarterback went viral, believe that regardless of intent, the flag is sacred and deserves to be honored all times.
Others believe that the importance of drawing attention to racial injustices in policing justifies taking a breather from the national anthem every now and again.
The best part? This is America, man.
And in America, we all get to have our own opinion.
Thanks in large part to, you know, veterans.
Veterans. Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images.
They deserve our respect.
But we should probably listen first.
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12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.