It’s sad that in this country, when people see a group of black men it’s automatically assumed that they’re in a “gang” or a group of “thugs.” Ā The intimidation people feel around African-American men is the very source of the police shootings that have been occurring for decades, but are just now garnering attention. Cam Newton taught fans a very good lesson in this with one powerful Instagram post.
Before Thursday’s pre-season finale, Newton posted the following picture on Instagram.
The comments that followed were filled with thug and gang references. “Fans” saying that they were going to unfollow him. Ā People saying he’s portraying a bad image for young people. Ā One woman even said that this was the first time she’s ever been scared of Newton. Ā Why? Ā Because he’s surrounded by his friends? Ā Because they’ve just been riding dirt bikes and have bandannas around their faces? Ā This is the same mentality that got Jonathan Ferrell shot in the back right here in Charlotte a few years ago.
Cam noticed all of the comments and followed up Thurday’s post with this one on Friday.
āI know where Iām going and I know the truth, and I donāt have to be what you want me to be. Iām free to be what I want.ā -Muhammad Ali
Before you begin to judge!? 1. Every1 in the previous post has a degree and is WELL educatedā¦. DO/ARE YOU!??
2. I am; who I am; and why are you so judge mental in ā2015āā¦. ARE YOU AFRA1D of what you donāt understand!?? If you DONT understand why throw SHADE (speaking on something you do not know about; for people who donāt understand the meaning of throwing āshadeā). Now with all that said, āI COU1D REALLY CARE 1ESS WHAT YOU TH1NK OF ME; IamWHATiAM AND THATS A PERSON TRYiNG TO CHASE GREATNESS NOT TRYiNG TO BE ANY1ELSE or WHAT WANT ME TO BEā
3. Is this picture better for you S1MPLEminded PEOP1E; who are quick to judge something/someone āWHEN YOU ARE NO BETTER THAN THE NEXT PERSONā!? something to think about
ā¢2PiCTURES ā¢SAMEpeopleINbothPICTURES ā¢WHATdoYOUsee āORā
ā¢WHATdoYOUwantTOsee
āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā
ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦in the famous words of the JOKER āWHYsoSER1OUSāmyK1LLAā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦.. -1OVE
Checkmate…Newton.
Time-out for us not being ourselves to make others feel comfortable. Ā Why shouldn’t Newton be able post a picture with his friends having fun? Ā The same people criticizing only wish they lived the life he does and the same women saying they’re scared would be begging for a picture with him…or more.
I applaud Newton for not being afraid to shine a light on the hypocrisy of those who made what basically amounts to racist comments on his page. Ā I guarantee if Tom Brady, Andrew Luck or Rob Gronkowski posted the same picture, the reaction would’ve been totally different.
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