The mass murders of innocents in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX over the past two weeks have rocked those with a true conscience to the core.
San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler was not immune from that pain, and today he revealed his frustrations and feelings on the situation in a blog post.
“The day 19 children and 2 teachers were murdered, we held a moment of silence at sporting events around the country, then we played the national anthem, and we went on with our lives.”
He reflected on his upbringing and the way he was raised.
He addressed our political climate and the response to the most recent mass murder of 19 children and 2 adults at Ross Elementary school in Uvalde.
Overall, Kapler discussed his conflicted feelings about being raised to respect the country versus the current reality where many in the country make it almost impossible for respect and progress to occur.
“On Wednesday, I walked out onto the field, I listened to the announcement as we honored the victims in Uvalde,” wrote Kapler. “I bowed my head. I stood for the national anthem. Metallica riffed on City Connect guitars.
“My brain said drop to a knee; my body didn’t listen. I wanted to walk back inside; instead I froze. I felt like a coward. I didn’t want to call attention to myself. I didn’t want to take away from the victims or their families.”
It was a powerful reflection on a moment that, theoretically, shouldn’t be difficult to participate in.
Yet after Republican attacks on voting rights and the right to choose, and then not one, but two, mass shootings in less than two weeks, paying respect to a country with leaders who refuse to take action but eagerly limit freedoms across states feels hypocritical and wrong.
That’s why Gabe Kapler informed reporters about his decision to skip the national anthem going forward.
“I don’t plan on coming out for the anthem until I feel better about the direction of our country,” said Kapler.
Kapler’s decision elicited venomous responses.
From the usual argument of treading on second amendment rights and how the “woke” mob is harming the country to accusations of communism and calls for him to leave the country if he’s so unhappy, critics piled on the Giants manager.
Par for the course and, of course, so ignorantly wrong.
Kapler’s decision is rooted in deep reflection, emotion and recognition of what’s really transpiring in America.
And those who feel and think like him quickly came to his aid.
This is another example of professional sports using its power to enact real change.
Ironically, it’s another example of baseball, a sport that stubbornly refuses to shed itself of outdated ways of thinking and past traditions that should no longer exist in today’s game, taking a stand after the horrific murders in Buffalo and Uvalde.
On Thursday night, the NY Yankees and Tampa Rays used their Twitter platforms to circulate information about the deadly effects of gun violence.
From statistics on race, gender and age, the two teams tweeted out heartbreaking, yet honest, truths as well as contact information for those seeking help.
Predictably, both teams were trashed and applauded for a much-needed effort to bring awareness to a devastating epidemic that continues to plague the country.
Gabe Kapler will certainly continue to be trashed by many, but he will be supported by way more.
By people who want the country to come back together after being cracked for so long and then ultimately shattered and exploited by the rise of Trump politics.
“I am not okay with the state of this country,” wrote Kapler. “I wish I hadn’t let my discomfort compromise my integrity. I wish that I could have demonstrated what I learned from my dad, that when you’re dissatisfied with your country, you let it be known through protest. The home of the brave should encourage this.”
On Friday, Gabe Kapler took a brave step to stand up for change.
Let’s hope even more support him and do the same.
