Michael Bennett Blows Up On Twitter and Schools Stephen A. Smith
Unless you’ve been completely out of touch with any media outlet more sophisticated than a tin can and twenty feet of string, you know there’s a lot of talk about the possibility of Colin Kaepernick joining the Seahawks. Seems we’ve had about forty articles about it ourselves this week. Even the HuffPost has gotten into the act. Michael Bennett made it clear he’s cool with it.
Michael Bennett stated his support for Kaepernick in an interview with ESPN 710 Seattle on Tuesday. You can see our comments on his interview here. Suffice to say, Bennett stated Seattle “would be a really good place for him…you have an owner who spends and gives back to the homeless…our team is built around community. So this is a perfect place for him.”
Stephen A has to have his take
For some reason, this didn’t sit well with ESPN commentator Stephen A Smith. He lambasted Bennett, asking “What in the hell has happened to you?”
Stephen A. bases his criticism of Bennett on the fact that Kaepernick refuses to vote. Somehow, Smith can’t understand that a refusal to vote is in itself an act of protest. I could go on, but you’re here to read Mr. Bennett’s response on Twitter.
Michael Bennett with the crushing verbal sack
That is what is known as strong. If you aren’t following Bennett on Twitter, start. His Twitter handle is @mosesbread72, and he has a lot of informed, insightful commentary. Often a lot of fun things, too.
I respect Stephen A. Smith. He too is often insightful and informed. He should be, that’s his profession after all. But he isn’t above saying bombastic things just to get a reaction, either. Nor is he infallible.
In this instance, Stephen A. is as wrong as he can be. Elevating a person’s conscious decision to not cast a ballot as somehow more indicative of character than leading in protest for social justice is misguided at best.
Kaepernick felt his single ballot among 136 million others would have no impact on society as a whole. Taking a knee and raising his voice at the risk of his livelihood, he has an impact.
Like Bennett and Smith, I believe wholeheartedly that voting is important. But it cannot escape anyone’s attention, not even Stephen A. Smith’s, that Kaepernick’s methods of political participation has raised awareness of the causes and issues that are important to him.
Love his actions, hate his actions, they’ve raised awareness far more than if he had simply cast his ballot. Whether you love Kaepernick or hate him, you can’t deny you know what he stands for. That, Stephen A., is pretty damn cool.