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In a weekend that united Stephen Curry and LeBron James, saw famous quarterbacks and billionaire team owners speak out against Trump, J. Cole learned how to make a Twitter thread. And not for nothing, either. After tweeting out 'how do you make a thread," Cole went on a 22 tweet spree, speaking on the root causes of why Kaepernick was protesting in the first place.
He wrote that even though it was brave for the players to take a knee, the real power comes from viewers deciding not to watch. He points out that the NFL didn't take up such theatrical shows of unity when Kaepernick was not signed to any team, despite have the skill and qualifications. He further went on to say that the NFL needed to make amends with Kaepernick, and then gave step by step instructions on how to boycott not only the NFL, but their corporate sponsors as well.
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In the thread below, Cole outlines the way to make the NFL pay attention: hit them in their pockets. He likened the boycott of the NFL to the boycotts of racists bus companies in the 60's which Cole pointed out, involved more than changing the TV channel.
The tweets come amidst the announcement that the Steelers will not be attending the national anthem during their Sunday game, and will instead be remaining in the locker room. The coach of the team, Mike Tomlin explained how the decision was made.
"You know, these are very divisive times for our country, and you know for us, as a football team, it's about us remaining solid," said Tomlin. "We're not going to be divided by anything said by anyone."
"We came here to play football," Tomlin added.
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
Your eyes translate to advertising money for the League and it's owners.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
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
You and me have the power to deny them our attention ($$ to them) until they make a wrong situation right.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
How do they make it right? I know there are people
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
smarter than me with better answers. But here's one.
Hire 3rd party investigator approved by NFLPA to determine if kap was denied a job unfairly as punishment for his stance. (I know, I know)
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
And compensate the man for his losses if they determine he was.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Bare with me I'm just a rapper.. now look
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Every day they stay quiet on this they're saying that they condone what's happening to Kap and the message it sends.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Well, you have a choice on how you respond to that. You can choose to not watch.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
if a boycott doesn't force them to action, don't even trip. This is where the real flex happens.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Black people spend a lot of money with NFL corporate sponsors. White people who don't fuck with white supremacy spend a lot of money too.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
So, next you turn your attention to these sponsors.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Pick one of the biggest ones and say, "do you agree with black balling players when they speak out against oppression?"
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
"If not, why are you spending all this money with a League that clearly condones that? ... "
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
"You know what, I don't think I can spend my money with you no more until you fix this."
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Repeat this with another company, and another.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Thats when the magic happens. And sadly, in this capitalistic world we live in, that's when your voice is heard. When you hurt the pockets.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
I respect whatever you decide to do. Watch or don't watch, whatever's in your heart. But I'm not watching til it feel right.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
It was hard during preseason and the first week. But then I was like, wait, is it actually hard?
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
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
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
So when I think about it like that it's very easy on Sunday to say, "Nope, I'm straight."
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin reveals to @JamieErdahl that the team will not be participating in today's national anthem. pic.twitter.com/5zihPWQsMv
— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) September 24, 2017
