J. Cole Calls for NFL Boycott in Support of Colin Kaepernick
J. Cole stands with Colin Kaepernick.
In a rare social media appearance today (Sept. 24), the Dreamville boss called for a boycott of the National Football League.
“God bless every player that finds courage to kneel today,” he wrote. “But the real power comes from you deciding to not watch. Your eyes translate to advertising money for the League and it’s owners.”
God bless every player that finds courage to kneel today. But the real power comes from you deciding to not watch.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Cole’s Twitter thread comes on the heels of President Donald Trump’s controversial comments during a recent rally, in which he called for the firing of any NFL player who kneels during the national anthem. “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners,” he said, “when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired. He’s fired!'”
Kaepernick was the first player to kneel last year, and he remains an unsigned free agent. Many believe this is because he’s been blackballed for the silent protest against oppression and inequality.
“Same ones who speak out against Trump today, are the same ones that denied a qualified man a job because he took a stand against injustice,” wrote Cole. “You and me have the power to deny them our attention ($$ to them) until they make a wrong situation right.”
Same ones who speak out against Trump today, are the same ones that denied a qualified man a job because he took a stand against injustice.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
In order to make things right, Cole suggested that the NFL Players Association hire a third party investigator to determine whether Kaepernick was wrongfully denied a job as punishment for his activism.
Cole — who has voiced his support for Kap in the past — also urged fans to boycott the league’s sponsors. “sadly, in this capitalistic world we live in, that’s when your voice is heard,” he wrote. “When you hurt the pockets.”
Looking back on history, Cole said that boycotting the NFL is important and not as difficult as he once thought. “Some of us got grandparents that walked miles to work instead of riding bus, just to show the bus companies that they won’t tolerate racism,” he added. “So when I think about it like that it’s very easy on Sunday to say, ‘Nope, I’m straight.’ This may be the biggest opportunity we have ever been presented to come together and show the world and ourselves our true economic power.”
This may be the biggest opportunity we have ever been presented to come together and show the world and ourselves our true economic power.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Earlier today, President Trump called for his own NFL boycott for different reasons. “If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend,” he tweeted. “NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S.”
Just as Cole was tweeting about the issues, so was Cardi B, who has also voiced her support for Kap in the past. “All these football team owners talking and all lat but when is y’all going to hire Colin Kaepernick?” she tweeted. “Don’t be fool guys Carrot face just using this football thing as a distraction from North Korea wanting to blow our shit up. All I want to know is… when are they going to hire Colin Kaepernick?”
All these football team owners talking and all lat but when is y'all going to hire Colin Kaepernick ?😠
— iamcardib (@iamcardib) September 24, 2017
Don't be fool guys Carrot face just using this football thing as a distraction from North Korea wanting to blow our shit up
— iamcardib (@iamcardib) September 24, 2017
On Saturday (Sept. 23), Stevie Wonder followed Trump’s recent comments by kneeling at the Global Citizen Festival, Diddy urged other players to take a knee, and Bruce Maxwell became the first Major League Baseball player to kneel during the national anthem. More players are expected to join the silent protests during today’s games.