I’ve always had admiration for people who can take a stand for something. Even if it is not something I think is ethical or moral, they’re enacting the right that they have as a U.S. Citizen and a person to stand up to something, peacefully protest, and impact a global change potentially. Like most situations in life, this can come with a catch 22, as I unquestionably would not admire someone who stood up for something unethical or immoral, an example being if someone wanted to bring back slavery. That is an extreme example clearly, but I would hope it is one that we all agree is something that we could not admire. An example of change I do admire, is that of Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers, who recently explained his decision to remain seated during the playing of the national anthem. While I necessarily wouldn’t say that his decision to remain seated during the anthem is one I would make, I recognize what he is trying to do. According to NFL media, he said that “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color…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."
This is his statement in full context, there is no missing link or key words to what Kaepernick said. Indisputably, this was sure to cause a media storm of both those in support of what he is doing and those against what he is doing. I think that we, as a society in America, have to remember something here. First and foremost, in no word did he disrespect those who have served in any of the Armed Forces by saying he did not appreciate the sacrifice men and women have made for this country, for which he is a citizen of. Secondly, since the moment Black Lives Matter become a rightful part of global propaganda, both people of color and others have been calling out for people of influence to do something besides stay silent, to theoretically stand/sit there and do nothing. I am without a doubt one of those people, and I keep that in mind whenever I discuss action or movement with Black Lives Matter, or same-sex rights for a more personal example. It is because I am one of those people calling urgently for national change when it comes to equal rights and treatment of all U.S. Citizens, that I cannot sit here and condemn Kaepernick.
A widely known player within the NFL, Kaepernick is using his status as a professional athlete and the influence that comes with it to do something about the current state of America. We, as people, all can agree that we have such progress to make when it comes to matters of racial equality (amongst other forms of equality). Kaepernick, through this belief and action, is clearly one of those people looking for progress. While his course of action may not be idyllic and/or perfect to some, his action is more than what you or I as people may be able to achieve. Your backlash or praise, my praise included, is contributing to a national conversation of what needs to be changed. His action sparked it. The greater issue here, is why he felt the need to do this in the first place as a U.S. Citizen. Think of all the headlines we have read of police shootings, violence against men and women of color-of which Kaepernick actually does identify as. He was born to a white mother and his birth father is African-American. Putting her son up for adoption, Kaepernick was adopted by white parents. Imagine the racial conflict that could possibly cause for someone, born bi-racial but adopted by parents of the same skin color. Compare it to Donald Trump, whose entire slogan for his joke of a campaign is “Make America Great Again”, but lacking the actually ability, amongst other things, to do it. Kaepernick, biracial himself, is essentially doing the same thing but receiving backlash for it and is being pegged anti-American or anti-armed forces.
Veterans, however, have come out in support of Kaepernick and at the very least, his right to enact in a silent protest. Twitter has a trending hashtag, #VeteransForKaepernick, where many bring insight that they do not risk their lives, defend our freedoms, wear the gear that they wear, so people can be distraught over somewhere enacting his right to Freedom of Speech and his right to protest peacefully. They may not necessarily agree with his decision to remain seated, but they see a picture as a veteran-they fought and risked their lives so he could keep his right to do exactly what he is doing. They also did not necessarily commit a part of their or their entire life, to defending the National Anthem. While that is without hesitation a huge part of American culture, we can technically live without an anthem, but the argument is there that we could not live successfully without Freedom of Speech. He is creating discussion, through his 1st Amendment rights, amongst others; to impact a bigger problem in U.S. culture. Men and women of color are at a clear risk, a clear disadvantage in some elements of life. His action is to create a global awareness of that, and his action is probably speaking louder than his words ever could. As an athlete, he is bringing even more awareness than already exists to a crucial time in American history. As a person with a notable influence, he is causing people to think critically about the state of America. As a biracial man, raised by white adoptive parents, he is doing exactly what we somewhat from a privileged perspective demand-that people enact discussion and spark change. All for the sake of America.
