Collin Kaepernick, a quarterback in the NFL, has just started a movement. He began sitting through the National Anthem during the San Francisco 49ers preseason games in protest of the opression faced by people of color within the United States. “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 said during a preseason game interview. “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 and people [ Police officers ] getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
Just in late August, people jumped up in disgust and pride as they expressed themselves via The Internet. It was a divide amongst those who sided with Kaepernick and his freedom of speech and those whom opposed him for disrespecting the country that gave him his freedom of speech.
Ironic right? I know.
Here's the thing though, Kaepernick, 28, joins other athletes, like the NBA's Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony and several WNBA players in using their platform and status to raise awareness to issues affecting minorities in the U.S. So why is their so much backlash towards him?
Well, you're disrespecting the flag, and that hits America hard. If you're foreign and reading this you may be wondering why. It's simply because we spend every single day of our 12 years of basic education pledging the flag [and if you're from Texas, the Texas Flag] every morning followed by a moment of silence for our veterans. It kind of the necessary formula to build an "American" ya know?
Fast forward to mid-September and suddenly Kaepernick isn't the only one behind his movement. He's inspired others across spectrum of American sport teams. As the NFL kicked off their opening week the Kansis City Cheifs, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, and San Francisco 49ers were amongst those with players protesting. Megan Rapinoe took it a step farther when she kneeled during the national anthem of an international friendly (#LadyBoss). Megan has expressed her plans of divising a more efficient way to protest on behalf of social injustice but will continue to kneel until then.These National anthem protests have set fire to the rain within sports and beyond.
The U.S. Soccer Federation released a statement during the game in which it expressed disagreement with Rapinoe’s stance. “Representing your country is a privilege and honor for any player or coach that is associated with U.S. Soccer’s National Teams. Therefore, our national anthem has particular significance for U.S. Soccer,” the statement read. “In front of national and often global audiences, the playing of our national anthem is an opportunity for our Men’s and Women’s National Team players and coaches to reflect upon the liberties and freedom we all appreciate in this country. As part of the privilege to represent your country, we have an expectation that our players and coaches will stand and honor our flag while the national anthem is played.”
The Miami Dolphins organization have also expressed their opinions throughout the protests this week.
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— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September">https://twitter.com/MiamiDolphins/status/775064548... 11, 2016
These protests derive are driven by one question to one subject. What can we do about all this social injustice happening within the United States?
All these athletes have all answered the question for us with the same response. Figure out what your platform is and #UseYourVoice.
"You can't help everybody, but everybody can help somebody." - Ronald Reagan.
Our national anthem protest only proves that citizens of all different backgrounds and even ideologies (though sharing a common goal) possess the ability to unite, pose a threat to opression, and demand change beyond the mere act of voting once every election. Kaepernick has manifested the opportunities for others with his own template. Remember your liberty of freedoms and use them to your full extent because you matter.
