Colin Kaepernick, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers uses his status and reach to speak out about the civil injustices that African Americans are still facing in America.
"I'm not going to stand up for a country that oppresses black people and people of color", this was Kaepernick's reply to the media after he was questioned for not standing for the national anthem.
The anthem is a symbol of patriotic fervor that should make every American feel blessed for being able to enjoy the liberties we have. I'm not saying that Colin Kaepernick is not patriotic. If anything, he is exercising one of his rights granted by the Bill of Rights. Furthermore, there is no statement in the NFL policy that says players have to stand for the national anthem, it only encourages standing. The NFL is the only professional league that does not mandate their players to stand for the anthem (opposed to the NBA and MLB). Kaepernick has also gained the support from NFL legend Jim Brown, he stated, "I am with him 100 percent,".
Kaepernick is giving factual reasoning when justifying his position. The countless murders of African Americans by the hands of police officers has become a norm in our society. He refuses to be silent as more husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, daughters, and sons become social media tags due to the way they were wrongfully murdered. He will not sit still as cops get paid leave for the investigations of their wrongdoings, only to result in them being put back on the force.
Even though I agree with Kaepernick's protest wholeheartedly, I will say that the one thing that I see wrong with his decision is the way he is going about it. Having a veteran as my father puts this whole controversy into perspective. I think that not standing for the anthem is disrespectful to the millions of Americans who risked their lives protecting the liberties we enjoy on a day to day basis. Kaepernick can use his platform in another way by speaking out against the injustices he sees, and becoming an athlete activist for the movement. I believe more athletes should use their reach and pull within the community by sheding light on these injustices.
