Ginsburg apologizes to Kaepernick

[stephogirl]

www.cnn.com/2016/10/14/politics/ruth-bader-ginsburg-apologizes-colin-kaepernick/index.html

Washington (CNN)Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said on Friday she was "inappropriately dismissive and harsh" in a recent interview when she said she thought it was "really dumb" for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and others to refuse to stand for the national anthem.

In a statement released by the court's public information officer, Ginsburg said she had been "barely aware of the incident or its purpose" and that she should have "declined to respond" when asked the question by Yahoo's Katie Couric.

Colin Kaepernick to start Sunday for 49ers
"Some of you have inquired about a book interview in which I was asked how I felt about Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players who refused to stand for the national anthem," Ginsburg said. "Barely aware of the incident or its purpose, my comments were inappropriately dismissive and harsh. I should have declined to respond."

Kaepernick and other athletes at all levels have been refusing to stand for national anthem to protest racial injustice and police violence against African-Americans.
Friday marks the second time in recent months the 83-year-old Ginsburg has issued a statement regretting comments she made to reporters.

Last July, Ginsburg issued a statement saying she regretted remarks she made to CNN and other news outlets criticizing presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. In an interview with Joan Biskupic, CNN's legal analyst and Supreme Court biographer, Ginsburg had extensively criticized Trump as a" faker."

"On reflection, my recent remarks in response to press inquiries were ill-advised and I regret making them," Ginsburg said then. "Judges should avoid commenting on a candidate for public office. In the future, I will be more circumspect."

Of Kaepernick, Ginsburg told Couric, "I think it's a terrible thing to do, but I wouldn't lock a person up for doing it. I would point out how ridiculous it seems to me to do such an act."

Kaepernick, said Tuesday it was "disappointing to hear a Supreme Court justice call a protest against injustices and oppression 'stupid, dumb.'"

"I was reading an article and it refers to white critique of black protests and how they try to de-legitimize it by calling it 'idiotic, dumb, stupid,' things of that nature, so they can sidestep the real issue," he told reporters Tuesday, according to the San Jose Mercury News. "As I was reading that I saw more and more truth how this has been approached by people in power and white people in power in particular."
Her comments surprised some of her legions of fans who have dubbed the justice "the Notorious RBG" for her work on the Supreme Court on issues such as gender discrimination, gay marriage, abortion and affirmative action.

After the interview with Couric, the authors of the "Notorious R.B.G Tumblr," a site dedicated to Ginsburg, posted a comment saying they "respectfully" disagreed with her remarks regarding athletes' "peaceful protest."

It is rare for a member of the court to issue a statement of regret, and it comes as Ginsburg launches a book tour for "My Own Words" a collection of her speeches and opinions.

[downtoearth]

Love RGB, but lost a ton of respect for her over this. To act like it was something she hadn't thought about is almost worse - this is central to the equality issues of today and her dismissing it as something she wasn't following is more than disappointing, it feels willful.

[sfy]

This thread title is inaccurate.

[thejackpot]

How are you not aware? I don't believe her. She spoke her truth and now she must live with the consequences.

[SwimDeep]

Not helping, RBG...and not even close to an apology

[claudiajean]

Much too little, too late. Racist old biddy can kiss my ass.

[vicky]

Ugh, RBG. Stahp.

[isabel]

Whatever. You said what you meant the first time.

[josieposy]

Well yeah she is right in that she should have declined to respond.

[turnipthebeet]

She needs to just stop she's digging her hole deeper with each statement.

[ESF]

[SallyJ]

This isnt an apology. Definitely not one to Kaepernick. She only focused on her own feeling and own embarrassment. I am mad at her and this shows she isnt actually sorry to anyone but herself.

[miniroller]

Absolutely not excusing her under "generational differences," but I hope this ignorant comment & it's very deserved backlash teaches this otherwise knowledgeable woman she has some major learnin' to do. Please don't let her stop at that laughably disingenuous "apology." Here's where RGB needs a CEP.

[WOT?*]

Generational differences are irrelevant. She lived through the Civil Rights protests. She should have known better. She should have done better. She saw this the first time around and should have known better than to dismiss it as wrong or irrelevant this time. And her apology isn't an apology, it is a statement commenting on how regretful her choice of words were on her part, not an apology about how damning they actually were and how they hurt others and dismissed a major component of the current Civil Rights movement.

[KateAggie]

[gpw]

This is disappointing. I expected better from her. At the very least, I expected she would know how to give a real apology.

[raangoli]

This not an apology. I was very disappointed when I first heard what she said and I continue to be. She should know better. But the truth eventually finds its way to the surface.

[cville]

I'm so disappointed in her.

[cville]

Oct 15, 2016 14:52:17 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Real question?
Do white people ever feel anything other than "disappointed" in response to these flagrant race issues? 
The phrase comes up in responses to shootings and other violence against POC.
It comes up with recounts of blatant racism in the news.
It comes up when benevolent racism rears it's equally ugly head.

Is "I'm disappointed" like the new, "I'm listening and learning", or some shit? 

Well, for me, no. I'm angry at her and at myself for being so surprised. I'm angry that she caused other people pain and sad that they have to feel it. I'm embarrassed I liked her so much and I'm embarrassed to think what I may have said or will in the future say similarly out of ignorance of my own privilege since this is another reminder that even the smartest people are sometimes stupid and hurtful. I am frightened that she's part of the best we have on the USSC now and clearly has major issues still. Lots of emotions and reactions. Perhaps "I'm disappointed" is cheap shorthand for all of that or a convenient excuse for avoiding deep thought.

[tacokick]

Oct 15, 2016 14:52:17 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Real question?
Do white people ever feel anything other than "disappointed" in response to these flagrant race issues? 
The phrase comes up in responses to shootings and other violence against POC.
It comes up with recounts of blatant racism in the news.
It comes up when benevolent racism rears it's equally ugly head.

Is "I'm disappointed" like the new, "I'm listening and learning", or some shit? 

I'm more like "not surprised" and "really pissed off" than "disappointed" TBH. I save disappointed for when the store doesn't have my favorite ice cream flavor.

[gpw]

Oct 15, 2016 15:00:22 GMT -5 cville said:

Oct 15, 2016 14:52:17 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Real question?
Do white people ever feel anything other than "disappointed" in response to these flagrant race issues? 
The phrase comes up in responses to shootings and other violence against POC.
It comes up with recounts of blatant racism in the news.
It comes up when benevolent racism rears it's equally ugly head.

Is "I'm disappointed" like the new, "I'm listening and learning", or some shit? 

Well, for me, no. I'm angry at her and at myself for being so surprised. I'm angry that she caused other people pain and sad that they have to feel it. I'm embarrassed I liked her so much and I'm embarrassed to think what I may have said or will in the future say similarly out of ignorance of my own privilege since this is another reminder that even the smartest people are sometimes stupid and hurtful. I am frightened that she's part of the best we have on the USSC now and clearly has major issues still. Lots of emotions and reactions. Perhaps "I'm disappointed" is cheap shorthand for all of that or a convenient excuse for avoiding deep thought.

Yes.  This exactly.  Especially to the bolded. 

[aurora]

That was definitely not an apology to Kaepernick and (I thought) RBG should know better.

I agree with 1234FIF! about this being a teachable moment illustrating distrust.

[chw57]

Oct 15, 2016 14:52:17 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Real question?
Do white people ever feel anything other than "disappointed" in response to these flagrant race issues? 
The phrase comes up in responses to shootings and other violence against POC.
It comes up with recounts of blatant racism in the news.
It comes up when benevolent racism rears it's equally ugly head.

Is "I'm disappointed" like the new, "I'm listening and learning", or some shit? 

I'm fucking pissed. I really looked up to her but this is just completely unacceptable. Learn some shit, RBG.

[MrsAxilla]

Oct 15, 2016 15:10:24 GMT -5 gpw said:

Oct 15, 2016 15:00:22 GMT -5 cville said:

Well, for me, no. I'm angry at her and at myself for being so surprised. I'm angry that she caused other people pain and sad that they have to feel it. I'm embarrassed I liked her so much and I'm embarrassed to think what I may have said or will in the future say similarly out of ignorance of my own privilege since this is another reminder that even the smartest people are sometimes stupid and hurtful. I am frightened that she's part of the best we have on the USSC now and clearly has major issues still. Lots of emotions and reactions. Perhaps "I'm disappointed" is cheap shorthand for all of that or a convenient excuse for avoiding deep thought.

Yes.  This exactly.  Especially to the bolded. 

Yeah, me too. I'm actually halfway through The Notorious RBG and was impressed by her story of coming up in the legal profession in the 50s. I found it inspiring, TBH. Now, I'm not sure when, if ever, I'll pick up the rest of her story.

[atexan]

Oct 15, 2016 14:52:17 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Real question?
Do white people ever feel anything other than "disappointed" in response to these flagrant race issues? 
The phrase comes up in responses to shootings and other violence against POC.
It comes up with recounts of blatant racism in the news.
It comes up when benevolent racism rears it's equally ugly head.

Is "I'm disappointed" like the new, "I'm listening and learning", or some shit? 

I feel frustrated and angry. Someone I thought was worthy of respect acts like a gold plated turd. It reminds me that all white people, including myself, probably are capable of being gold plated turds. Which brings me back to frustrated and angry, with a side of helplessness.

[raangoli]

I can't get over commenting on something when you're not familiar with the details. As a Supreme Court justice she should know better.

[sfy]

Oct 15, 2016 14:52:17 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Real question?
Do white people ever feel anything other than "disappointed" in response to these flagrant race issues? 
The phrase comes up in responses to shootings and other violence against POC.
It comes up with recounts of blatant racism in the news.
It comes up when benevolent racism rears it's equally ugly head.

Is "I'm disappointed" like the new, "I'm listening and learning", or some shit? 

Not white (lol), but my response in the original thread was "I'm so disappointed." RBG is someone I've admired for a long time. This would almost be like if after Kamala and Loretta Lynch are appointed (named and claimed!), they said something stupid, insensitive and homophobic or xenophobic, I'd be genuinely saddened by that and truly disappointed. That's how I took cville's post.

[MrsAxilla]

Without giving too much benefit of the doubt to the old white biddy, I DO believe people can learn and grow and change. I think there's some evidence that RBG may be one of those people, but time will tell.

[sfy]

Oct 15, 2016 17:31:19 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Without giving too much benefit of the doubt to the old white biddy, I DO believe people can learn and grow and change. I think there's some evidence that RBG may be one of those people, but time will tell.

She's like 85, though.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Oct 15, 2016 15:00:22 GMT -5 cville said:

Oct 15, 2016 14:52:17 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Real question?
Do white people ever feel anything other than "disappointed" in response to these flagrant race issues? 
The phrase comes up in responses to shootings and other violence against POC.
It comes up with recounts of blatant racism in the news.
It comes up when benevolent racism rears it's equally ugly head.

Is "I'm disappointed" like the new, "I'm listening and learning", or some shit? 

Well, for me, no. I'm angry at her and at myself for being so surprised. I'm angry that she caused other people pain and sad that they have to feel it. I'm embarrassed I liked her so much and I'm embarrassed to think what I may have said or will in the future say similarly out of ignorance of my own privilege since this is another reminder that even the smartest people are sometimes stupid and hurtful. I am frightened that she's part of the best we have on the USSC now and clearly has major issues still. Lots of emotions and reactions. Perhaps "I'm disappointed" is cheap shorthand for all of that or a convenient excuse for avoiding deep thought.

Yup. Well said.