Even though the Super Bowl was in my home city of Atlanta, I did not watch the game. Reason No. 1: I’m black. Reason No. 2: Reason No. 1 won’t be changing anytime soon.
The NFL has a long history of treating its black employees as lesser than, and that history started long before quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem in 2016 to protest police brutality and was in effect, banned from the league.
According to the Grio, the NFL is 70 percent black and has the weakest players’ union among the four major leagues. Its players have the least power in free agency, and they get the lowest pay and worst post-retirement benefits among players in the four major leagues.
Still, it’s the NFL’s response to Kaepernick that was the most painful blow to my family. Kaepernick was taking a knee for black people, and the NFL blatantly shut him out. After three years, it’s clear the league’s ban was intentional and permanent.
So I’m giving the NFL what it gave Kaepernick, the cold shoulder.
Here are five things to do instead of watching football on Sundays:
1. Netflix and chill after the kiddies go to bed.
Have you finished binge watching the Netflix series “You” or the documentary “FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened”? Of course you haven’t. You have kids. Now’s the time to get caught up.
2. Visit a black-owned art gallery
Atlanta’s Hammonds House Museum is the former home of noted Atlanta physician and art lover Dr. Otis Thrash Hammonds.The museum features permanent exhibits featuring works by black artists as well as a temporary photo exhibit dubbed Dandy Lion: (Re) Articulating Black Masculine Identity. Hammonds House is open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays on Peeples Street.
3. Go see a drive-in movie
Atlanta’s Starlight Drive-in Theatre on Moreland Avenue has movies playing every Sundays as long as there are no holidays or inclement weather threats. But even if you don’t have a drive-in movie theater near you, bring your baby along with you to a local theater during an unpopular time. So there won’t be many other patrons to complain if she cries.
4. Explore a botanical garden
Plan a family fun day at Atlanta Botanical Garden. They usually have fun exhibits or activities going on, and you have ample time to explore the rest of the garden while you’re there. Just be sure to bring hot cocoa in case it’s chilly out.
5. Check out your local library’s special events
Since it’s February, many libraries have Black History Month programming going on. Just be sure to invite friends to make it fun.
Definitely a personal choice and choices are to be respected. The NFL has the weakest union by design. The average NFL career is less than 4 yrs. Think about that. The players have no power because they have no longevity. MLB and NBA players can play 10 15 or 20 years. Great perspective and yes That Fyre Doc on Netflix is INCREDIBLE ! Also BirdBox was really good !
I dont watch football but I am sitting here working on my blog while my hubby is watching the game. i really could be laying in bed but I decided to talk to him since I’ve been under the covers all day
As soon as I learned the Super Bowl was going to be in my city (hey fellow Atlien), I was like I need to not be here for the weekend. But instead of leaving, I’ve chosen to not watch the game and to not participate in any of the activities. It’s a shame how blatantly disrespectful the NFL is to the players that keep the franchise alive.
I’ve never seen the Super Bowl so I didn’t miss anything! Lol! Instead of watching I decided to cook and clean!
My two daughters and I listened to podcasts and they cleaned out their fish tanks. I like the suggestions you shared as alternatives.
I didn’t watch the Super Bowl, I instead binged watch Netflix all day. I’d love to visit the museum mentioned.
Great suggestions.
I stand w/ Kapernick, but I still watched the Super Bowl. I supported Gladys Knight along with Chloe & Halle. I think it’s such a complicated issue. Folks took issue with the half time performers and many Black artists declined, but many of them appeared in Super Bowl ads.
I didn’t even think about the Superbowl and spent my evening doing things I love. I also joined the #7challenge and donated $7 to Know Your Rights.
Yes, no Super Bowl! I’d didn’t even check a commercial! I still have to check out what kind of black history events they have going on around here for children though.
I did not watch it either and I have not been a fan since the Janet Jackson incident and that happened when I was in highschool! They really did her wrong too! I love the other ideas you have for Sunday.
They really did! I thought that was so unfair.
I so feel you, I quit the NFL a couple of years back myself. For much of the same reasons, it was no longer fun for me. I have survived just fine without it.
We watched but we stand with Kaepernick too! We haven’t been to a Drive-in, in a long time I think we should make a visit this year
While the super-bore was on I really wanted to go watch a movie. For some reason, nothing new or worth watching was out. So I just bummed at home watching Netflix.
We didn’t watch either and I noticed a decline in Super Bowl Parties! I’ve been done with the NFL for a number of years. I can’t recall the last time I watched a game. WE opted to Netflix and cuddle and it was amazing, I got the best sleep that night 😉
Our household chose not to watch either. We cooked and watched Netflix instead. #solidarity