Q: Why do Black folk disrespect the military by kneeling during the anthem?

A: But... most active duty military fully support the kneeling protests? 🙂🙃

You'll understand why that support exists, once you understand the military's true demographics. About 47% of the military is non-white.

There's a stark contrast between most "honor our veterans" PR montages and a non-staged photo of a large group of service personnel. You can't "honor vets" or "support troops" by ignoring half of them.

Black service members have served with distinction in every US war, going back to Independence.

Shout out to everyone that's seen the painting of Washington crossing the Delaware, but never noticed the Black guy in the boat! 🙋🏿‍♂️

If serving with honor were a path to being seen as a "real American," Black folk would've achieved that goal long ago.

But I still run into EU immigrants (who just got their green card last year!), telling me that "BLM protesters don't love this country like I do!"🤡

I frequently have to remind my friends in Silicon Valley, that the military is not "more right wing" than Silicon Valley. The military is more inclusive.

There are way more Black employees in the military than in Silicon Valley. Military demographics look closer to real US society, but with Black people being *over* represented.

If you're standing in a room of 100 VCs in Atherton, vs a room of 100 active duty marines in Camp Pendleton, there are more Trump voters in the Atherton room. 🙂🙃

Black service members who served in wars, were often denied access to the GI Bill when they returned.

So white veterans could get loans for college, or to buy a house. Black veterans could not. This lack of access to affordable education and affordable housing had devastating impacts on Black veteran homelessness.

https://www.npr.org/2022/10/18/1129735948/black-vets-were-excluded-from-gi-bill-benefits-a-bill-in-congress-aims-to-fix-th

Black veterans were also denied access to medical care and benefits. This lack of access to healthcare also drove homelessness.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9XEj1AL9Bsw

I never say "Thank you for your service." That is a nothing statement. Instead, I hire veterans of all genders and colors. 👍🏿

I never say, "Support our troops!" That is meaningless jingoism that supports nothing. Instead, I vote for politicians that will raise service member pay, increase Veterans Association (VA) benefits, decrease VA waiting times, de-stigmatize mental healthcare for active duty and veterans, and YIMBY affordable housing and public transportation. 👍🏿

If I say, "We need to increase the military budget by $50 billion to develop an "anti-surveillance balloon drone system" everyone says, "Sounds legit! Maybe we should buy two? 🤔"

But if I say, "We need to increase the military budget by $50 million to provide post-service skill training, affordable housing for veterans, and medical treatment for injuries suffered serving in non-combat humanitarian missions like tsunami response" everyone is like "Whoa! Sounds expensive! Itemized bill please!"