The Internet is rising up for and against Colin Kaepernick over his refusal to stand during the national anthem. The NFL quarterback decided to use his platform and reach to protest the treatment of African Americans in the United States.
Kaepernick claims his refusal to stand was because he believed it'd be "selfish" of him to look the other way because "there are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder." Addressing police brutality and unequal treatment of people of color (POC), the quarterback has sparked a hot debate as to whether or not people should stand for the national anthem or pledge of allegiance.
Of course, a majority of people are against even the thought of not standing for their country's anthem and pledge; that's just downright unpatriotic and wrong. Though they stand for this song, flag, and pledge, they do not know the history behind the original and extremely racist national anthem. Francis Scott Key wrote the poem "The Star Spangled Banner" in the early 1800s. After over 100 years, the poem became the song of triumph for our country and one of celebration for slavery and the murders of slaves. An excerpt of the poem goes a little something like this:
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Key is saying it, in plain words, nobody could save the slaves from death. Why would Colin Kaepernick stand for this?
For his actions he has received plenty of backlash ranging from derogatory tweets full of racial slurs to even POCs denying him as one of their own. It's somewhat difficult to believe that NFL stars such as former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison are willing to divide the African American race even more by denouncing Kaepernick as "not Black." In such a racially-charged time some would believe any help toward securing unity, equality, and empowerment for Blacks would be warranted but, alas, some don't see it that way. On the other hand, NFL players such as Philadelphia Eagles rookie linebacker Myke Taverres who stand, or sit, with Kaepernick on his protesting the anthem.
When it comes to the 49er's quarterback, everyone has had something to say about the situation. "Kaepernick is rich. He's not oppressed," and "he hates veterans" are two of the most ridiculous. When superstar baseball player Jackie Robinson refused to stand for the anthem he wasn't some poor kid flipping burgers while fighting for injustice. He was making more than most Americans would see in their lifetimes and they heard him out, as well. This is America, after all. We only listen to the rich. We also have a tendency to acknowledge those that served this country when it comes to such patriotic issues. The new hashtag #VetsForKaepernick has recently diminished the voice of the group claiming the QB doesn't appreciate our armed forces. Veterans are rallying behind him in large numbers with support which has been phenomenal.
People that are upset over Colin Kaepernick not standing for the national anthem are the problem. Regardless of the motives inspiring him, the issue he is addressing is very real and has been for years. As he uses his rights to fight against the injustices of Blacks and POCs in 2016 America, those that claim there is no race issue are calling him a "ni**er." They are condemning his blackness for trying to fight for himself, biracial or not, and other POCs. They despise him because he is not content with white supremacy, unequal treatment, and senseless murder. The real problem with Kaepernick's refusal to stand is that people are mad at him more than the actual issues that he is protesting. Once these people start getting as frustrated about him sitting as they would when an unarmed 12-year-old black boy is killed, then there will be change.
