Most of you have probably already heard the news about the San Francisco 49ers' quarterback Colin Kaepernick choosing not to stand during the National Anthem at the preseason game against the Chargers. There are many people highly upset with him because they feel he is unpatriotic and anti-American. There are a few things I feel need to be pointed out before you go crucifying him for not standing.
Kaepernick is choosing not to stand during the national anthem to protest the racial inequalities and police brutality that have become a regular happening in America. He is not "anti-american" in fact, in his own words he addresses this,
"The media painted this as I’m anti-American, anti-men-and-women of the military and that’s not the case at all. I realize that men and women of the military go out and sacrifice their lives and put themselves in harm’s way for my freedom of speech and my freedoms in this country and my freedom to take a seat or take a knee so I have the utmost respect for them."
When people say, "Why don't the Black Lives Matter supporters protest peacefully?" I can't help but wonder what exactly their definition of "peaceful" is. If kneeling or sitting instead of standing during the national anthem is not seen as "peaceful," then the truth is, you all just don't want to see Black Lives Matter protest in any sort of way at all. Some may say that Kaepernick isn't doing anything by just sitting. But by not standing, he is standing with all those whose lives have been taken too soon, with no justice. He is trying to be there for those who face injustice and racial inequality far too much in this country. If all this wasn't enough, he's also said he is donating $1 million to organizations and communities affected by these issues.
This man could lose his position on the team, his career, everything. Yet, he feels strongly enough that he is in a position where he can make a difference, even if many misunderstand what he is trying to do. He is not alone in his decision either, US National Soccer Team player Megan Rapinoe has recently joined him in his movement. On September 5th, she kneeled during the national anthem before her game. She said,
"Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties. It was something small that I could do and something that I plan to keep doing in the future and hopefully spark some meaningful conversation around it. It’s important to have white people stand in support of people of color on this. We don’t need to be the leading voice, of course, but standing in support of them is something that’s really powerful.”
I hope that more athletes and celebrities will continue to join in with Kaepernick and help spread his true message. Not one of anti-americanness, but of helping bring about change and conversation about racial inequality and why it continues to happen in this day and age. For those who are still mad that an athlete didn't stand during the national anthem, consider this, Brock Turner just got out of jail after serving only 3 months for raping an unconscious woman. While Kaepernick didn't stand in order to bring about a voice of change to a serious problem in America. Last time I checked, it was our constitutional right in the United States to not stand during the national anthem. Raping an unconscious woman and essentially getting away with it is not. But these racial injustices don't exist right? I'm sure if Brock Turner had been black he would've gotten this same treatment huh?
