On the Sept. 24 edition of MSNBC’s “AM Joy,” journalist Joy Reid and panelists discuss former NFL coach Mike Ditka’s reaction to the national anthem protest by Colin Kaepernick.
Last week, the former Chicago Bears coach told 105.3 The Fan that Kaepernick should leave America if he does not like it here.
“… My choice is I like this country. And I respect our flag. I don’t see all the atrocities going on in this country people are [talking about]. I see opportunities if people want to look for opportunity …”
In the segment, panelist David Zirin attacks Ditka’s statements implying that he is a racist for demanding that a Black man leave this nation.
“Let’s be clear, especially on this day when we open up the Smithsonian Museum of African American History,” Zirin starts. ” … You are telling them to go back to Africa. That’s what that means. That is a racially loaded thing to say.”
The Nation sports editor adds that Ditka’s comments are reminiscent of comments aimed at activist and actor Paul Robeson nearly 60 years ago.
” ‘I’m not going to another country because my father was a slave … my people died to build this country. And I’m going to stay here and have part of it like you. No fascist-minded people will drive me from it.’ That’s Mike Ditka. That’s the tradition he’s standing in …”
Furthermore, other panelists reminded Ditka that he was the son of immigrants and that Kaepernick has a right to protest because the Constitution lends it to him.
