Over the last two weeks, America has been in an uncontrollable uproar on an issue that shouldn’t be one. Colin Kaepernick (a pro-bowler with one Super Bowl appearance) has decided to not stand during the National Anthem in protest to the treatment of minorities, specifically African-Americans, in this country that have been mistreated by police and society. Many people have criticized Kaepernick for not loving America as much as he should, for disrespecting the military, falsely claiming that he is oppressed, being raised by white parents, and for the amount of money he makes. Before I go further I want you, my readers, to know that while I agree with his sentiment of protesting minority rights, I would not have done it with the National Anthem.
First of all, those that are criticizing him fail to understand that they are protesting against the very thing they want to protect. These people that are against Kaepernick want the ability to say what they want because it is guaranteed by the Constitution. They want to have the freedom to speak their mind on issues they disagree with and they want to be able to protest whatever they want. The people that think Kaepernick is wrong are the main proponents of free speech. What is most important to the people angry with Kaepernick is that their world is protected and that nobody brings the obvious oppression of minorities to their face. I would ask the people that are angry with him, If you don’t want to him speak up for police brutality, how about income inequality? You guys would probably criticize him for that as well.
Nine South Carolina men protest against segregation by integrating a diner.
What it comes down to is this, when the issues aren’t concerning a person as an individual we usually do not care. This is why progress is hard. Back during the Civil Rights Movement, white Americans were against it. When Cesar Chavez fought for the rights of workers and Mexican Americans and immigrants, those interests did not like it. When Muhammad Ali protested against the Vietnam War, they didn’t like it either. However, in time, they came to respect and venerate these figures. Colin Kaepernick if he continues to fight for the rights he is willing to be vilified by many Americans for, and then eventually he will be respected. For those that disagree I would tell you to take your qualms up with the Constitution. The founding Fathers guaranteed the rights of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Expression. You can’t say you are protecting the Constitution and disagree with Colin Kaepernick protesting. You can disagree with how he is doing it or even what he is protesting for.
Cesar Chavez protests for the rights of farmers and workers in Southern California.
At the end of the day, when you are protesting against the injustices of a system then those who are in the majority are never going to like it. They will always feel that you are overreacting to what is going on and wait for change to happen. But there comes a point and time when a group of people will say that enough is enough and that we are going to stand up for the rights of my people's group. Protesting is how our society begins to move forward. It won’t happen any other way. William Faulkner once said, “Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and greed. If people all over the world…would do this, it would change the Earth.” This is what Colin Kaepernick is trying to do. I encourage all those who are my age, all across the world to find an injustice and work to rectify it. For silence is the death of progress.
