If you have heard of the NFL and don't live under a rock, chances are pretty good that you have heard about Colin Kaepernick. This season, the 28-year-old quarterback has chosen to take a knee, in protest, during the playing of the national anthem.
"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 explained to NFL Media in the interview following the first time he kneeled. "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 people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."
Kaepernick has sent a wave of responses. Some respect him for standing up for what he believes in and honoring his right as a citizen to choose to stand or sit. Others have sent hate mail to the athlete chastising him for disrespecting his own country.
He has influence that is far reaching. In my university, Ball State, a group of students sat during the playing of the national anthem at one of our football games to mimic Kaepernick. The article (http://www.ballstatedaily.com/article/2016/09/sports-football-students-sit-raise-fists-during-national-anthem) that was written by our university newspaper mentions Kaepernick as a direct influence.
It has even made its way into apparel. For $38 you can get a stylish hat featuring Kaepernick kneeling.
It seems to me he is going about it all wrong. By taking a knee at a sporting event is he preventing the murders or the oppression he is taking a knee for in the first place?
I don't disagree that it has raised awareness, but there are other ways to help. Kaepernick signed a 6 year deal with San Fransisco where his average annual salary is $19 million. That's money he could use to start programs he thinks could help his cause and a number of other more productive things.
Russel Wilson, a quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks, volunteers every Tuesday to visit the children in Seattle's Children's Hospital. He saw a problem in his area and he fixed it in the most direct way he could. He offers a life-changing experience that no other person could offer to those children.
That's where Kaepernick differs. I know the situation is a little more complicated, but I feel like instead of helping the injustice he is only creating animosity towards himself.
Any one of the football players could take a knee. To change things it will take a strong leader who uses his resources and takes a stand.
