You know, I’ve been enjoying this political break I’ve taken. I may want it to go longer. Plus, the NFL season is coming soon, last week of preseason just ended and I just drafted for my Fantasy Football Team (Team MaGiKS). What? An NFL player, a former star starting Quarterback for a Super Bowl losing team is causing controversy for political purposes? Guess I get to cover two things I love at once.

Please play this as you read:

Hello Colin Kaepernick,

From what I understand you’ve chosen to take a stand, rather, a sit from the National Anthem of the United States of America in order to bring up the disparities in our very own USA. Though it might be your right not to stand because of the First Amendment, such actions for protest could have been far more conducive, wiser and less image damaging than your current response. Why not write a personal Op-Ed on the racial disparities faced by minorities in America? Why, I can even do it for you Colin--many could.

Before I do that though, let me just say this: you are allowed to speak and protest how you please, but there are places and times to do it. In the preseason on an NFL field representing yourself, your 49ers team and the entire National Football League is certainly not the way to go. Many amazing Americans have died for this country, for our freedoms, and here’s the best part: they varied and represent the best of America. Some were white, some were black, some were women and some were men, all from different races, religions and backgrounds. They all fought under the fifty stars and thirteen stripes on a flag that flies for our freedom, our people and our dreams. Our social issues in America cannot be denied, however I implore you to find another way to take action and a stand while still standing in representation and love for our country. Our flag doesn't represent the worst of America, Colin, it represents the best.

***

Though it's fair to also note that many veterans are showing their support for the NFL player on social media with #VeteransForKaepernick, we cannot forget what Kaepernick actually said and his reasons for sitting during the National Anthem. There has been a lot of severe overstatements such as by Tomi Lahren to what Kaepernick said in regards to the disparity and his choice to protest. Here's an excerpt of what Kaepernick said according to NFL Reports:

On Sitting:

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

On Military:

"I have great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country," said Kaepernick. "I have family, I have friends that have gone and fought for this country. And they fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice, for everyone. That’s not happening...

"...I’ve seen circumstances where men and women that have been in the military have come back and been treated unjustly by the country they fought have for, and have been murdered by the country they fought for, on our land. That’s not right."

We have an obvious social disparity issue when it comes to minorities in the United States. Whether it is in regards to police brutality, job opportunities and wages or even unfair trials, America still has a long way to go to reach complete social peace and equality.

We especially cannot understate the black on black crime done by gangs and the like in major cities that’s causing paranoia and a whole other type of social issue. That’s very important that we need to continue to talk about. A lot of public figures have personal experience in that sort of environment such as Chicago native Chancelor Bennett (aka: Chance the Rapper) and speak of the violence in their hometown and the issues that run rampant in relations to gangs and high murder rates.

Kaepernick's main subject of protest surrounds police brutalities against minorities in America and Donald Trump's blatant prejudices and dislikes towards immigrants and Muslims.

In 2015, the number of blacks killed by police was one hundred five in comparison to one hundred eighty whites killed by police, according to the Washington Post. So if more whites are being killed, where’s the racial disparity? If anything it’s racial issues against whites, right? No. We must factor in something else very important: how many we have of each in America. Due to the fact that there are fewer blacks than whites in America, blacks were killed at approximately three times the rate as whites. If we had an even amount of blacks as we do whites that would mean about five hundred twenty-two blacks would’ve been killed. Of course, we need to consider armed and unarmed as well. Two thirds of the victims that were unarmed were either black or Hispanic. So about one third of the victims in whole were white or other. Finally, there is one other piece of information that should be considered: the fact that the majority of those killed by police was of lower income. Who’s more likely to be lower income: African Americans and Hispanics.

See more in Pew Research Center's Article on Racial Fairness

Colin Kaepernick isn’t protesting for nothing, but perhaps he’s going about it all wrong.

***

Colin, I admire the fact you are protesting for something that matters and is a real social disparity issue in America…but find another way. Too many great men and women have died for this country, all of different credence and backgrounds with varying stories. That needs to be thought of. You have your right,but so do the people you represent. By misrepresenting the NFL, your team and the flag that has brought America together in unity which social minorities see fit to burn in the name of rebellion, not peace, you’re causing more of an issue than solving.