Controversy, though some warranted, cannot seem to escape the United States. Warranted controversy should be discussed in the media. Some examples of warranted controversy include the "lack of" a sentence in the Brock Turner case. The media attention surrounding Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players is an example of an unwarranted controversy. These players are using their first amendment rights to speak out against what they see is an injustice in the world. The day this becomes taboo is the day that the freedom of expression clause in the first amendment becomes null and void.
Throughout the years, celebrities and sports stars have used their platform to either advocate for or against causes. Some of these causes and organizations have been unpopular, but the amount of vitriol dedicated to Kaepernick seems to be unique.
If we look to the history of this country, we can see a lasting legacy of racism and the profusion of stereotypes among all people. One would have to live in an alternate universe if this acknowledgement wasn't deemed as fact. The grave injustices of tens and hundreds of years ago still plague this society. Why is it that when these ills are put in the spotlight one is said to be disrespecting America?
There are two major negative schools of thought surrounding Colin Kaepernick's protest. The first is that he is disrespecting the military and the second is that the issues is he protesting against don't exist. The second school of thought is easier to invalidate so let's start with that one.
I will acknowledge that many instances of overt racism are long gone. We have laws that seek to prohibit discrimination in many places like schools, work, and many public spaces. Just because overt racism is on its way out does not mean that all forms of racism are completely gone. Microaggressions still exist in the country. The "n" word is still very prevalent on social media and youths of color are being killed by people in authority at rapid amounts. Colin Kaepernick's protest matters because it brings visibility to all those subtle and nuanced issues that many don't want to think about.
The second issue is surrounding the disrespect of the military. Kaepernick as well as others have increasingly stated their respect to men and women in uniform. The American flag does not and should not equate to the military. While they protect our right to exist as a country, the flag is not the symbol of the military. It is the symbol of the country. There is no problem, in my eye, to thinking that this country has a long way to go before it reaches its true promise of greatness. We are no shining city on a hill. A country that refuses to acknowledge racism, the increasing homelessness epidemic, and lack of proper healthcare cannot say that it has achieved greatness.
Let's use this time to think about the issues that Kaepernick has brought up and kick our blind jingoism to the door. America is not great and only a fool (looking at you DT) would think that we were ever great. You can criticize your own country, while still loving it. That means that you truly have its best interest at heart.
