Colin Kaepernick and other athletes on every level of sports have recently been kneeling or sitting during the national anthem. These actions have led to threats, anger, suspension, and lost support. Denver linebacker Brandon Marshall lost the endorsement of CenturyLink and Air Academy Credit Union after he knelt during the National Anthem. Other players are being targeted by fans and critics for their actions. Kid Rock, singer, actor, songwriter, during his concert at Fenway Park shouted "f*** Colin Kaepernick" during his song "Born Free." Supermodel Kate Upton targeted four Miami Dolphins players for kneeling, saying their actions were "a disgrace to those people who have served and currently serve our country."

On the other hand, powerful figures have come to the aid of the kneeling protesters. Many athletes take the kneel with Kaepernick to show their support for him and his message. Megan Rapinoe, a professional women's soccer player, and President Obama also voiced their support. Many veterans have stated that they defend the actions of these players. They comment about how Kaepernick is practicing the exact rights they fought to protect and that social injustice is real in the United States.

A question that must be asked is how can you defend one group of people but not the other? That is, curse these athletes for disrespecting the military, but don't support the countless minorities that are being killed and brutalized by bad policing. People support the men and women hurt by police brutality until Kaepernick kneels. Now, they are focused more on the fact he is "disrespecting the military" versus the real message protesting our current criminal justice system.

Everyone is focused on an altered version of Kaepernick's message instead of what he and other athletes are trying to convey.