Kneeling during the anthem has always been a matter of controversies. While some people claim it’s a disrespect to the flag and the troops, others argue that it has nothing to do with that and it’s just a point to sign out the social injustice in the nation.
The NBA and its players have set a clear stand. Kneeling during the anthem, wearing social justice messages, and supporting the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement has been almost unanimous, from the top of the league all the way to the players and even former legends of the game.
That’s why Jonathan Isaac kind of got a lot of heat for deciding not to kneel during the anthem. Even though he was well articulated at the time of justifying that stance. And, shockingly, former bruiser Metta World Peace seems to be on the same page with him, as he recently said that there’s no way he would be kneeling if he still played:
“Everybody deserves to have an opinion. Ain’t no way I’m kneeling. Me, personally, I’m not going to kneel to someone that I don’t like. I’m not kneeling for forgiveness. I just wouldn’t kneel because if I kneel I am submitting to my enemy. I would never kneel to my enemy,” Metta told TMZ.
BLM pic.twitter.com/OgwOkd0ohd
— Coach Metta (@MettaWorld37) June 6, 2020
Metta has been quite active with the BLM movement since George Floyd’s death, constantly attending protests with his son and trying to help his former friend and teammate Stephen Jackson spread the message.
He’s got a valid point. Not kneeling during the anthem doesn’t necessarily make you a racist or a bad guy. We’re going through polarizing and divisive times but, as he and Charles Barkley said, everybody should be entitled to their own opinion on these – and all – matters.
