SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES
I applaud Doug Baldwin and the way he goes about protest
Nov 23, 2016, 4:31 PM
Seattle Seahawks NFL football wide receiver Doug Baldwin talks to reporters Monday, Nov. 21, 2016, after he testified at a joint legislative task force on the use of deadly force in community policing at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Baldwin, whose father was a police officer, has been outspoken on the issues of police training, racial profiling, and the use of force by law enforcement officers. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Doug Baldwin was the man who organized the Seahawks to stand united and hold hands during the National Anthem. Baldwin was also the man who said he had deep concerns with what has been going on between police officers and communities. Baldwin also had a father who was a police officer.
Doug Baldwin promotes change in Washington law regarding police
Doug Baldwin, unlike Colin Kaepernick, apparently votes and paid attention to the election. Baldwin also sought dialogue with the police, partly because he’s famous, but he spoke as a citizen.
This is so noteworthy for its humility. Baldwin is a proponent of removing the need to show malice when charging a police officer with a shooting. He’s also in favor of putting a definition to “acting in good faith.” And that’s a tough one.
Baldwin is actually engaging and bringing ideas to the table. He’s actively involved in discussion. He’s saying that people who are politically opposed can have an open, rational discussion about the police and race. This stands in stark opposition to people like Kaepernick, who took an knee and simply said that things are bad.
It also stands in contrast to the leaders of Black Lives Matter who seem to want indict everyone and act in malice themselves.
As always, please listen to the full audio clip for complete context.
