ATLANTA — Dr. Bernice King, Former Falcons player Chris Draft and the President of the Super Bowl Host Committee talked about a controversy surrounding the big game.
King kicked off the panel, held at the King Center as the last event for MLK day, by acknowledging Colin Kaepernick’s actions created some uncomfortable discussions among the NFL and its fans. Those discussions include social injustice, police brutality in the minority communities and mass incarceration.
King also addressed the people who want to boycott the Super Bowl saying that won’t necessarily bring the change people want.
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“There’s a group saying boycott the game. Okay, but what are we doing by doing that? What is the direct impact? This is a platform and people are going to use it differently. But if the players are not boycotting, how effective can we be at boycotting?" King asked the audience.
Moderator Terrance Jenkins asked the panel about the halftime show and the controversy surrounding non-Atlanta artists playing. Following the announcement of the artists, a petition was started online calling for the artists to kneel in solidarity during their performance.
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VP of National Community Alliances for Teach America, Brittany Packnett brought up the issue.
“I believe in leveraging the most watched thing in America to force a conversation. But we have to remember that the conversation is about liberation, justice and freedom every day.”
Brett Daniels, COO of the Atlanta Super Bowl Host Committee said this conversation may not happen in Miami, the next city set to host the big game. Because of 2019's location, and the history of civil rights is so deeply rooted in Atlanta, Daniels said this year and this game is the best time to continue this conversation and use this platform to try and get social equality.
Part of the Beloved Community Talks, King encouraged others to host similar conversations. For more information visit belovedcommunitytalks.org.
