If you have been watching NFL football over the past few seasons then you have probably heard of the SanFranciso 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick led the 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2013 against the Ravens where they eventually lost 34-31. Kaepernick since has been efficient but has not been 100 percent healthy over the past few seasons. He has received heavy backlash for not standing during the National Anthem during the opening of football games where he is a star in the league. While some may disagree with his reasons, Kaepernick is taking a stance to do something that very little people would do in his position. But for Kaepernick, it’s not about the money or the fame; it’s about being a voice for the people that can’t be heard the ones that have been killed by police brutality over the recent months that he just couldn’t turn his back on.

Do we forget that athletes are real people too? Yes, society has highly classified these superstars to the point that some forget that they are humans and want their lives to stand for something other than just a sport. Many forget that they won’t be able to play the sport they love for the rest of their lives so standing for a purpose to make an effort to make other people lives better will mean something when the dust has settled. For the African American community this situation is a forward moving win it helps to bring more light to the issue that African American men I being a target in this society and the struggle has not received the exposure that it should be receiving from people and the media alike we say that black lives matter but do we stand up and make our voices heard? The African American community should stand behind Colin Kaepernick because he has the courage to put some light on the issues that has been affecting American Americans in the United States for years now.