LETTER Freedom of speech not absolute
This is in response to Kent James’ Sept. 30th op-ed regarding freedom as expressed in the right to disagree.
Our freedom of speech is something we should all cherish, but it is not absolute. The courts have ruled that the American flag can be burned in public places. Most of us would find this abhorrent, but the greater good is to respect the freedom to do so. Conversely, the courts have ruled that we do not have the freedom to falsely yell “fire” in a crowded theater.
The key point that James overlooks is that within the workplace, our freedom of speech is not the same as in a public place. For example, the government has ruled certain forms of speech in the workplace constitutes sexual harassment.
In the case of the NFL, the behavior of players on the field during the national anthem is defined by the NFL. This behavior has also been agreed to by the players’ union. The manual states, “Players on the field and bench should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking.”
The NFL has not been consistent in addressing player behavior. Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick wore socks which stated that “cops are pigs,” with no penalty from the NFL. Conversely, the NFL threatened or imposed fines in the following cases: The Tennessee Titans were threatened with fines when linebacker Avery Williamson wore special cleats honoring the victims of 9/11 during a game on the 15th Anniversary of the attacks; the Dallas Cowboys were threatened with fines by the NFL when they wanted to honor the five Dallas police officers who were murdered at a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas; Tim Tebow was punished every time he scored and then prayed and pointed to the heavens.
I am a very strong advocate for our freedom of speech. Political correctness has done much to limit this. I highly doubt that James would have made the same observations if protesting players during the national anthem were members of the Ku Klux Klan and chose to wave Confederate flags.
Neal Roth
McMurray