Eric Hoffer wrote, “The beginning of thought is disagreement—not only with others but also with ourselves.”
I liked that quote when I read it. Especially the first half.
Is putting your hands up in the air a product of thought? Obviously yes. Wearing a t-shirt that says I Can't Breathe would be also. The recent professional athletes who have done these things would have you believe that they are carefully studying the perceived racial incidents in Ferguson and New York. And they have concluded that some sort of expression is required. The result is a provocative photo or video and a headline.
But I wonder if you sat next to Kobe Bryant on an airplane and offered him your own opinion about Ferguson, would he take time to listen? Would he want to discuss it? I'm fairly certain that if he took his headphones off briefly as you started the conversation, they would be back on almost right away.
It's unfair and not very productive to make that assumption, I know. But really not any less productive than trying to change things by wearing a t-shirt.
