Many have said athletes need to use their platform to bring awareness to issues going on in their community -- Colin Kaepernick did just that. the San Francisco 49's quarterback vowed to keep sitting during the national anthem until he was satisfied with the changes made toward ending racial oppression in the United States.

Kaepernick told Nick Wagoner of ESPN "There have been situations where I feel like I've been ill-treated, yes. This stand wasn't for me. This stand wasn't because I feel like I'm being put down in any kind of way. This is because I'm seeing things happen to people that don't have a voice, people that don't have a platform to talk and have their voices heard, and affect change. So I'm in the position where I can do that, and I'm going to do that for people that can't."

For Every Action, There Is An Equal And Opposite Reaction...

The 49er's quarterback received a lot of backlash from many white fans for kneeling during the national anthem. Some even recorded themselves on YouTube burning Kaepernick's jersey. Even Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump told Dori Monson during an interview on KIRO radio "I think personally it's not a good thing, I think it's a terrible thing. And, you know, maybe he should find a country that works better for him. Let him try; it won't happen." But many NFL Players are standing behind Kaepernick's decision to kneel.

So Why Is This Important?

Many African-Americans have been subjected to social injustices for years. And due to the fact that many African-Americans feel like they don't have a voice when speaking about these issues, or their voices aren't being heard, you see the birth of movements such as Black Lives Matter. It is not common to see athletes take a stand and speak out about issues affecting their communities. I think they are probably scared to lose endorsements, money, and they are too worried about their image (i.e. Cam Newton). Colin Kaepernick is giving a voice to the voiceless through his kneeling.