Recently NFL player Colin Kaepernick has been making headlines for taking a knee during a performance of the national anthem. This has caused a lot of backlash toward him and his 49ers teammates who have been supporting him in his silent but meaningful protest. Fans of this team have been calling him out for his recent decision to where a pair of socks that feature a pig dressed as a police officer. This also didn't settle well with many football fans. What many see as this quarterback being disrespectful to his country can also be seen as him standing up for the controversial issue of police brutality in the African American community. This summer alone many lives were taken in troubling cases of police brutality, and I am happy to see so many athletes making a powerful statement.
After refusing to stand for the national anthem, Colin Kaepernick stirred up a huge conversation with the fan base of the NFL. So many people are arguing that there is a time and place for this type of protest. Some people are even offended by his choice of exercising his right to protest. Although I completely understand the push back from the fans, I find it refreshing to see a man with such a powerful platform standing up for the issues of police brutality in the Black community. Over this summer, many Black lives were taken at the hands of the police. Colin Kaepernick made a statement after the game saying,"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color." The meaning behind the national anthem is one that is supposed to call on all United States citizens to stand as one. The national anthem is a song that is meant to fill U.S. citizens with pride for their country. But how can one expect all citizens to want to sing such a prideful song when their country is clearly not protecting and defending all its citizens. No country is perfect, but the United States of America historically has had a deep history of abuse, violence, and judgement against the Black community that many feel has never been resolved. Therefore Colin Kaepernick is not just stirring the pot. He is calling attention to this country's history of oppression against people of color. Many celebrities have followed behind this call for attention by also sitting during the national anthem. It is refreshing to see so many athletes stand up to defend such a controversial issue . Hopefully with so many people speaking out, this will allow more Americans to open there eyes to the problems consuming this country.
