Wesleyan players explain taking a knee

Posted on September 20, 2016

Quincy Butler and Jamal Jackson — *Jackson and Butler are speaking out about their protest. (Photo courtesy IWU)*

By Terry James

BLOOMINGTON – The two Illinois Wesleyan University football players who took a knee during the national anthem are explaining their decision.

Jamal Jackson and Quincy Butler took the stand during last Saturday’s football game. Butler told WJBC’s Eric Stock, if you have questions – ask.

PODCAST: Listen to our interview with Butler and Jackson.

“If it really bothers you that much, like I really want them to feel comfortable coming up to me and talking,” said Butler. “That’s ultimately the goal you want to have.”

Jackson said curiosity about their actions is a good thing as he feels he has been mistreated as a black man.

“The conversation begins when we upset people enough to where they want to stand up against us so we can tell them what we are not standing up for,” said Jackson.

Wesleyan’s coach and college president do not object to the players’ actions.

Terry James can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…