The Soapbox

Joined: 09/29/2013 Posts: 60632
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I'll defend Rapinoe a bit here, and I'll admit I was never a fan of hers

even well before this latest kerfuffle, but that has nothing to do with the kerfuffle and its reasons. For someone that claims to not care whether Megan protests or not during the anthem, the writer sure spent a lot of time on slavery, racism, the militarism of anthems, and which countries colonized others and how those colonized are then able to assimilate into their society. Last I checked, those things have next to nothing to do with the reasons for Rapinoe's protest.

As I understood it, her two main complaints (along with just hating Trump), and reasons for her "protest", have to do with equal rights for the LGBTQ community and equal pay for women athletes. There is still too much validity to her complaints re: LGBTQ rights, but how many countries offer the same or better acceptance and opportunities? Hey Megan, the flag and what it stands for has quite a bit to do with why that is. As for equal pay, there are apparently some valid points there vis-a-vis how they are treated vs the men's team at the US Soccer level, and she's right to speak up about that and fight to improve it. But ultimately, the biggest factor there is the number of butts in the seats, how much they pay to be there, how many eyeballs are on the TV, and how much advertisers pay to be in front of those eyeballs. By those metrics, the women are paid more, not less than the men, on the USNT level. Megan, your chosen method of protest is not helping the metrics you need to improve those things needed to improve your pay. Turning off and away fans, even deplorable ones, is not in your own best interest.

She has every right to protest in whatever manner she chooses. Again Megan, the flag and what it stands for has a big part in your being able to do that. But she has no right to complain about how others react to that protest, or complain about the consequences that come from it. If fans criticize you for doing it, particularly when you're representing your country on the World stage, refuse to buy your jersey, or refuse to show up or tune in for your games, those are consequences of the choices you made. Accept them, or make different choices if you're unwilling to do so.

(In response to this post by JMHoo)

Posted: 07/10/2019 at 09:34AM

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Current Thread:

An open letter to Megan Rapinoe, from America (link) -- JMHoo 07/09/2019 10:57PM

To start, Im very anti-protest during the anthem but I dont see not -- SokurHoo83 07/10/2019 11:10AM

One thing you can't have in America is a sign of individuality. ** -- Seattle .Hoo 07/10/2019 12:35PM

Individuality is fine but theres a time to default to the team. WCs would -- SokurHoo83 07/11/2019 06:26AM

I agree she shouldn’t be required to put her hand over her heart an sing. ** -- JMHoo 07/10/2019 12:10PM

I'll defend Rapinoe a bit here, and I'll admit I was never a fan of hers -- Hoodafan 07/10/2019 09:34AM

I wonder if part of it is a protest of FIFA too -- WahooMatt05 07/10/2019 10:28AM

That's a good point. I haven't heard her specifically mention that, but -- Hoodafan 07/10/2019 10:53AM

In no way would it diminish criticism of the US. -- 111Balz 07/10/2019 12:06PM

You don't think bringing attention to LGBTQ issues in Russia and Qatar -- Hoodafan 07/10/2019 12:12PM

In my opinion the only people who would think that way don’t care anyways ** -- 111Balz 07/10/2019 12:16PM

OK, but let's not imply that only applies to "homophobes". I suspect there -- Hoodafan 07/10/2019 12:25PM

Hence why she speaks out ** -- 111Balz 07/10/2019 12:59PM

Oh absolutely. FIFA also controls World Cup payouts ** -- 111Balz 07/10/2019 10:53AM

Payouts, which as a proportion to revenue in, go in higher rates for women. ** -- Hoodafan 07/10/2019 10:55AM

What are the revenue in numbers and how are the calculated? ** -- KCHoo 07/10/2019 11:14AM

FIFA would have to pay out ~300% of World Cup revenue in order for the -- BocaHoo91 07/10/2019 11:02AM

Source? They might have to pay a higher percentage of the total revenue, -- southdenverhoo 07/10/2019 11:41AM

Just going on the article linked by JM below which has the revenue from -- BocaHoo91 07/10/2019 11:50AM

And $30M paid out to teams from that $130M revenue. ** -- Hoodafan 07/10/2019 12:15PM

I'm just talking pay out vs revenue rate, not even equal pay. JMHoo linked -- Hoodafan 07/10/2019 11:21AM

A lot of the fifa World Cup sponsorship revenue is for collective rights -- KCHoo 07/10/2019 11:14AM

I still can't believe Qatar is actually going to happen -- wahoo138 07/10/2019 10:48AM

When has she complained about how others -- 00 Hoo 07/10/2019 10:25AM

I recall a few comments but yes, for the most part she seems to accept -- Hoodafan 07/10/2019 10:51AM

I think he brought up slavery because she did. -- JMHoo 07/10/2019 10:01AM

Yes, but that seems at most a trivial part of her criticism, and possibly -- Hoodafan 07/10/2019 10:30AM

With regard to your second paragraph, I think we're pretty darned good -- BocaHoo91 07/10/2019 09:55AM

Agree completely. But IMO it's a bit absurd that someone can still be fired -- Hoodafan 07/10/2019 10:22AM

Real Murricans don't watch, let alone play, Commie Kickball. -- HowieT3 07/10/2019 09:22AM

In all seriousness, one reason Men's side cant compete is -- TpkeHoo 07/10/2019 09:41AM

Absolutely. A hugh factor. ** -- Hoodafan 07/10/2019 10:36AM

I don’t enjoy watching soccer at all really, but that trend is changing. -- WahooRQ 07/10/2019 10:17AM

We've been saying the same things for years -- Capital City Hoo 07/10/2019 10:31AM

Good points. Mainly noticing a decline in popularity of football and more -- WahooRQ 07/10/2019 11:21AM

Yep, when I was in grade school during the Pele to the NY Cosmos -- BocaHoo91 07/10/2019 10:43AM

Baseball? Not sure that’s any more popular than soccer. Half the majors -- WahooRQ 07/10/2019 11:14AM

Certainly that is the trend, but we have some friends who are heavily into -- BocaHoo91 07/10/2019 11:27AM

Certainly true with football and basketball. I see it less with baseball -- WahooRQ 07/10/2019 11:43AM

I think you underestimate the athleticism of middle infielders -- BocaHoo91 07/10/2019 11:49AM

The participation rate for a particular locality in football is rapidly ... -- HowieT3 07/10/2019 10:24AM

I think that’s true, but the same is true for working/middle class areas -- WahooRQ 07/10/2019 10:35AM

Exactly right. One example I cited on our Soccer board was Smoke Mizzell. -- HowieT3 07/10/2019 10:16AM

In many it's The sport for the best athletes regardless of affluence. Hoops -- Hoodafan 07/10/2019 10:44AM

Is RDS a thing yet? -- Capital City Hoo 07/10/2019 09:19AM

Sorry, an opinion piece from that site isn't worth my time. ** -- graycalhoo 07/10/2019 09:14AM

Snowflake alert -- wahoo138 07/10/2019 09:03AM

An open letter from a confused author, not America. -- Chuck Taylor 07/10/2019 08:34AM

Bingo ** -- 111Balz 07/10/2019 10:04AM

People are trying to torture her? -- HokieDan95 07/10/2019 09:15AM

I too was struck by the number of words -- BocaHoo91 07/10/2019 09:00AM

"Open letters" as a rule are stupid -- Stimp 07/10/2019 09:22AM

Agree. I feel sort of the same way about Rapinoe. -- BocaHoo91 07/10/2019 09:57AM

It's like half-protest half brand-management. ** -- hoodeyo 07/10/2019 12:05PM

Glad I am not the only one who bailed on the article -- VaTechie 07/10/2019 09:08AM

The next year every kid on our HS track team did it every time we placed in -- southdenverhoo 07/10/2019 09:17AM

It is funny how I was only 6 years old when it happened -- VaTechie 07/10/2019 09:45AM

Her antics created an aversion to watching the tournament for a significant -- Hoos Operator 07/10/2019 08:25AM

Weren't TV ratings for this women’s World Cup at record levels. Did you see -- 111Balz 07/10/2019 10:10AM

Can you please provide data to support your assertion? -- Capital City Hoo 07/10/2019 09:22AM

This kind of thing is entirely emotional, i.e. not factual or even......... -- Chuck Taylor 07/10/2019 09:32AM

Snowflakes ** -- hooshouse 07/10/2019 08:51AM

Oh lawdy lawdy me, it's a enough to give you the vapors. -- Chuck Taylor 07/10/2019 08:47AM

Nm** -- wahoo138 07/10/2019 09:04AM

I must admit that I have little interest in women’s soccer. -- Hoos Operator 07/10/2019 08:51AM

How many is "many"? I'd love to see you support the notion that any -- hoolstoptheheels 07/10/2019 08:38AM

The number is more significant than you think. I know that several of my -- Hoos Operator 07/10/2019 08:48AM

LMAO- didn't see this... rich, thanks HO. next time, maybe you should -- Capital City Hoo 07/10/2019 09:30AM

Granted it is anecdotal but it is also factual. The reason they didn’t -- Hoos Operator 07/10/2019 09:54AM

No it's not factual. How many people tuned in just because of the -- hoolstoptheheels 07/10/2019 10:12AM

Thanks. That was excellent support for your argument. Very Trumpie: -- hoolstoptheheels 07/10/2019 09:04AM

Meh, nothing else to watch this time of year for the non-offended sports -- Hoos Operator 07/10/2019 09:13AM

Ok. I'm not arguing that point. Fact is the ratings were through the -- hoolstoptheheels 07/10/2019 09:24AM

If you are labeling not watching as a boycott, then you’re wrong. A lot of -- Hoos Operator 07/10/2019 09:36AM

Yep, even anecdotal evidence means less fannies in the seats and less -- Hoodafan 07/10/2019 09:48AM

Unless of course she attracted even MORE people to follow -- 111Balz 07/10/2019 10:20AM

Make Snowflakes White Again ** -- WahooRQ 07/10/2019 08:27AM

Racist ** -- Hoos Operator 07/10/2019 08:28AM

Anti Semite! ** -- WahooRQ 07/10/2019 08:54AM

Sharpton! ** -- Hoos Operator 07/10/2019 08:55AM

Let her protest however she likes. It’s her right. I just don’t understand -- carolinawahoo 07/10/2019 08:11AM

Who cares? Why so much concern over the politics of a 30-something -- hoolstoptheheels 07/10/2019 08:33AM

I don’t care. I was simply pointing out the hypocrisy of the situation. -- carolinawahoo 07/10/2019 09:31AM

This is such a lame argument. I quit. I'm going home. -- HoosWillWin 07/10/2019 08:29AM

You should go and find exactly what she has said. -- 111Balz 07/10/2019 08:26AM

You mean “Fuck Trump”? Yeah, not divisive at all. ** -- JMHoo 07/10/2019 10:24AM

But she said it in a locker room so that’s OK, right? -- 111Balz 07/10/2019 10:52AM

How many Hokies on Team USA? ** -- MasterRusty 07/10/2019 07:40AM

Women's Soccer Team...I'm guessing Zero...on Team USA...a Million or more ** -- Tuckahokie 07/10/2019 07:57AM

VT womens soccer got to the Elite 8, maybe they'll have a player soon ** -- hoodeyo 07/10/2019 1:02PM

You didn’t build that? ** -- WahooRQ 07/10/2019 07:32AM

Yes! I was just about to post that when I read that line: -- hoolstoptheheels 07/10/2019 08:24AM

Touche. -- BocaHoo91 07/10/2019 07:56AM

They got a good start with this tournament. Trick is to build on that. ** -- hoolstoptheheels 07/10/2019 09:05AM

With what? The NWSL? -- Faz d. Hoo 07/10/2019 10:20AM

That was one of my first thoughts when I read it ** -- 111Balz 07/10/2019 07:51AM

She definitely strikes me as leaning into the whole "woke for the sake of -- CharlestonSC 07/10/2019 12:18AM

He's a Knick, cut him some slack. Whatever talent he may have once had -- hoolstoptheheels 07/10/2019 08:59AM

Sports media feels the need to be Woker too. -- MasterRusty 07/10/2019 07:25AM

If she is trying to grow support for her sport, it may be wise to not -- Tuckahokie 07/10/2019 06:59AM

I seriously doubt it's the kneeling that has had a meaningful impact on NFL -- BocaHoo91 07/10/2019 07:51AM

I dunno' know Boca...this is anecdotal, but I know a good chunk of NFL -- Tuckahokie 07/10/2019 08:02AM

Have you checked NASCAR’s numbers? -- hooshouse 07/10/2019 09:20AM

NASCAR's decline is a direct result of the neutering of the sport's -- Tuckahokie 07/10/2019 09:48AM

Have you seen the ratings for this last World Cup? ** -- 111Balz 07/10/2019 07:01AM

Nope...I hope the ratings report is not 800 pages :>) ** -- Tuckahokie 07/10/2019 07:08AM

I'm not really sure what she's protesting. I get that she doesn't -- BocaHoo91 07/10/2019 06:53AM

She’s been doing that for a while -- WahooMatt05 07/10/2019 06:58AM

Her kneeling on foreign soil as a representative of the U.S. probably -- Tuckahokie 07/10/2019 07:04AM

When did she kneel on foreign soil? ** -- 00 Hoo 07/10/2019 10:19AM

Apparently a lot of people are in a tizzy though. JMHoo and others, -- HoosWillWin 07/10/2019 06:48AM

Just be sure to whine and pout when donnie et al uses it against you ** -- HokieDan95 07/10/2019 07:25AM

I reserve the right to complain if he misrepresents the message, -- HoosWillWin 07/10/2019 08:20AM

If your method of protest can so easily be turned against you... -- HokieDan95 07/10/2019 08:36AM

Trump lies, and there -- HoosWillWin 07/10/2019 08:58AM

So consumed with your bitterness you can't see straight ** -- HokieDan95 07/10/2019 09:02AM

Ha! Think we found one of that subset. ** -- HoosWillWin 07/10/2019 09:03AM

Bingo ** -- 111Balz 07/10/2019 07:02AM

Serious question though. What progress does she want us to make? -- BocaHoo91 07/10/2019 06:55AM

What she's protesting... -- 00 Hoo 07/10/2019 10:40AM

The Soapbox IS my google at times. -- BocaHoo91 07/10/2019 10:50AM

So it's not that you don't know what she's protesting, -- 00 Hoo 07/10/2019 11:36AM

TBF the article you linked was rather dated. I just watched an interview -- Hoodafan 07/10/2019 12:21PM

Yeah, I just picked one mostly at random (but going with -- 00 Hoo 07/10/2019 12:28PM

Thank you for showing me how I could easily find out with google. -- BocaHoo91 07/10/2019 12:51PM

Well it was both until the soapbox google informed me that -- BocaHoo91 07/10/2019 11:55AM

Honestly haven't followed too closely, but one big thing was equal -- HoosWillWin 07/10/2019 06:58AM

Pay equality for women -- Hooddihsm 07/10/2019 07:01AM

The US women’s soccer team draws bigger crowds, -- 111Balz 07/10/2019 07:03AM

And revenue is far less for the women than the men’s team. Look at college -- Cold Hoober Hoo 07/10/2019 08:17AM

And watch out, because when paying college athletes becomes a reality -- jackethoo 07/10/2019 1:16PM

To me though, the question is whether the pay is proportional -- HoosWillWin 07/10/2019 08:24AM

That’s a reasonable question and I agree the percentage should be equal. ** -- Cold Hoober Hoo 07/10/2019 08:27AM

Right, but the pay of the World Cup players is a function of -- BocaHoo91 07/10/2019 07:28AM

Correct, that’s a FIFA issue. But that’s not the extent of the disparity. -- 111Balz 07/10/2019 08:25AM

I think the standard pay for simply -- BocaHoo91 07/10/2019 08:43AM

Except the men have many more options to earn a sizable salary outside.... -- Generic 07/10/2019 09:02AM

Yeah, but that's a different problem. If Megan wants to fix that, she -- BocaHoo91 07/10/2019 10:59AM

That would be a pretty incredible marketing play. ** -- HoosWillWin 07/10/2019 09:02AM

There’s a gap in bonuses -- Hooddihsm 07/10/2019 07:20AM

Rich Lowry had a column with some numbers (link) -- JMHoo 07/10/2019 07:26AM