Where is Nike? Adidas? Coke? Gatorade? Etc?
The players have an opportunity to place pressure on these companies to be an extended voice - but I’m not seeing or hearing it.
Growing up I was always moved by those Coke television ads; you know the one with Mean Joe Green and the little kid sharing his Coke and Green tosses him his jersey! Or the “be like Mike” commercials and popular jingle we were all singing. Or Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign that inspired everyone.
Is there not a powerful and positive series of campaigns that might move us to sing together...offer real love and see change? LeBron et al have leverage with their sponsors. What if they demanded a creative and financial commitment by these companies to promote positive and powerful change? I’m 59 and white. Married to an Hispanic that does not cause panic; (I actually live in Mexico) and my brother-in-law of 25 years is African American. I’d much rather sing along to a cool jingle that promotes equality over what is happening today. Statements don’t always have to be controversial. It only puts people on the defensive and nobody can get past their own ignorance when defensive. I believe that real change will take place once we begin to love one another. To this, boy, I heard Julie Jackson, Blake Jacob’s Mom speak yesterday! She is one strong individual and we all need to hear her message. We all need to make significant efforts to love one another. Now! And please, I am not trying to oversimplify. It’s so obvious that, for one thing, there needs to be major change in law enforcement training, recruitment and accountability. Our oldest daughter is a Royal Canadian Mounted Police as is her husband. I talk with them often and I can report that we are at a crossroads. In Canada, the RCMP training is a 26-week camp and classroom program. And my kids admit that even 26 weeks did not prepare them for what they face on a daily basis. I for one would like to see a 2-4 year University-like program. Educate, train, and provide our law enforcement officers with the tools necessary to function and respond properly. My fear however is that we’ll never see real change while we permit law enforcement and politicians stay on the job long past their primes. It makes sense to me, because society changes, that the tenure of a cop should only be 12 -15 years. And it’s long time we institute term limits for our politicians. Last week and this week i’ve been listening to the convention speeches. I’m enjoying listening to what the young speakers are saying but I’ve had enough of anyone over 70! Our youngsters are going to have to take charge. The old farts and their prejudices have to go. My advice to our youth: be kind. Be practical / pragmatic. Let love guide words, thoughts, decisions, and actions. You will win people over.
Thanks for permitting me to rant. Like you, I’m frustrated and don’t have the answers. I simply wish we could all could find a better day.
