In recent weeks, there has been significant unrest in the football community. This comes as a result of San Francisco 49er’s quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to stand for the national anthem before a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. Kaepernick also refused to stand for the first two preseason games of the year prior to Friday’s protest. However, he was not in uniform during the first two instances.

In an interview with NFL media after the game Kaepernick issued a statement explaining his actions stating, "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.” The 49ers later issued a statement explaining their stance on Kaepernick’s protest: “The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony. It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem." 49ers Coach Chip Kelly also told reporters on Saturday that Kaepernick's decision not to stand during the national anthem is “his right as a citizen” and that “it's not my right to tell him not to do something."

Kaepernick has received a lot of backlash after his protests. He has been slammed with criticism by football lovers and non-football fans alike. People have taken to social media platforms to express their anger towards him. Some have even gone as far as to burn their Kaepernick jerseys. Much of the criticism Kaepernick has received was that his actions are disrespectful to the military, and that men and women have died for him to be able to play football. They see him as unpatriotic for his actions and are angry with him on those grounds. However, Kaepernick has also come forward and claimed that his stand is not a criticism of the military and that he has ““great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country.”

Kaepernick is far from the first athlete to have protested the national anthem. Former Cleveland Cavaliers player Dion Waiters is just one example. In 2014 he refused to be on the court for the national anthem. Denver Nuggets player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf also sat during the national anthem in 1996. Even Jackie Robinson wrote in his autobiography, “I cannot stand and sing the anthem. I cannot salute the flag; I know that I am a black man in a white world.”

The great part about this whole series of events is that the First Amendment gives Kaepernick the freedom to protest while also giving the American people the freedom to criticize him. Personally, I believe that although it may be infuriating to some, Kaepernick has the right to stand up for what he believes in. His actions have brought a lot of attention to this tense and very complex topic. People are becoming more aware of the divide between minorities and whites in this country. As a result, change is happening. More and more people are standing up and speaking out about what they believe in order to bring society together.

Overall, that is Kaepernick's ultimate goal. He isn't out asking for the death of cops or to get rid of the police. He is simply trying to make everyone pay attention to these issues and try to make a change. If society can come together and work through these tough times, rather than divide ourselves by the color of our skin, I think America would be a better place for everyone. Even if some opinions conflict against others, as a community we can come together to compromise and find solutions that work for the good of everybody. We all just need to be able to respect each other's views and understand that everyone in this country has the right to say and believe in what they want to. As Voltaire once said, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."