Dear Colin Kaepernick,
Hello. I am an undergrad student at a college in Eastern Pennsylvania. I do not know you. You do not know me. But what you did was entirely wrong. Now, chances are you will never ever see this but by some rare case you do I would like you to know that your recent "freedom of expression" to support the Black Lives Matter Movement was more of an outrage than admirable.
Chances are, if you are reading this it is probably while you eat breakfast that has been served to you in your luxurious home in San Jose, California overlooking your lush green backyard that I'm sure someone tends to as well as your beautiful built in swimming pool. Chances are you haven't even thought about the brave men and women that have layed down their lives in battle to keep you and me safe and protected in this country. Colin Kaepernick, there are people dying for this country and you felt as though not standing during the National Anthem was really the best way to support Black Lives Matter?
Now, don't get me wrong. Black lives DO matter and I believe you are supporting a great cause, but by doing what you did and not standing during the anthem you took the issue at hand and made it more about you than Black Lives Matter. Instead of using your power and influence which you have gained by being an amazingly skilled quarterback in the NFL in a positive way to support Black Lives Matter you have disgraced the very country that has given you the opportunity to do so.
You could have spoken on behalf of Black Lives Matter during a press conference explaining what it means to you. You could have let your voice be heard. You could have had the power to influence individuals. Instead, you left more people outraged than moved.
Colin Kaepernick, children look up to you. Do you really want to teach them that disrespecting our country is really the best way to handle our problems? Has anyone ever taught you that you can't fight fire with fire? By you not taking a stand during our National Anthem you have lost a lot of followers, but more importantly you are changing a generation of young minds. You are showing them that it is OK to be disrespectful to get your point across.
Now I know you feel oppressed. As do most individuals from time to time. And I understand your want to be involved in the Black Lives Matter Movement. I support that decision. But Colin Kaepernick, just keep in mind that all of the lives that were given for this country matter as well. All of the lives that were sacrificed so you could make a career out of football, all of the lives that were lost so you can have the freedom of expression, and you are taking those lives in vain by not standing during the anthem.
With all due respect, I do support Black Lives Matter however, your choice not to stand will not reflect positively on the movement rather it will reflect negatively on your character.
Sincerely,
A Citizen Exercising Their Freedom of Expression
