I'm not one to keep up with sports, athletes, or their typical antics. However, recently, Colin Kaepernick has taken over media due to his protest during the national anthem. Many people have chosen sides and turned to either praising Kaepernick or burning his jerseys. I can't help but to form some opinions of my own on this situation. I can immediately come up with a few reasons why I think we should support Kaepernick.
Firstly, Kaepernick is taking a stand and using his status for good. Kaepernick has cited his reasons for sitting during the national anthem as to protest the oppression of people of color and police brutality. While an athlete using their social status to take a stand for important causes is not unheard of, it certainly isn't done as often as it should be. He is taking action and standing for something that he believes is right, something I think not enough people do today.
People also have questioned why he couldn't just donate money. How often do you see or hear of celebrities donating money to charities? Almost too often. People tend to sweep it under the rug and suggest the sincerity isn't there, despite the large lump sums probably having some effect on the charities they're given to. How much attention has Kaepernick's protest gotten? An ungodly amount. Everywhere you turn, there's a few media sources reporting his every move. This, in turn, gives publicity to the cause he is fighting for. Sure, donating money is awesome, but taking action boosts that sincerity and actually gets the word out.
Then, there's the assumption that Kaepernick is disrespecting American troops, veterans, etc. Many opinions have been posted via videos and social media posts that American soldiers fight for Kaepernick's right to protest, however he shouldn't be allowed to protest the flag thanks to American soldiers. To me, this thought process is very hypocritical. It's absolutely accurate that soldiers fight for our rights and I'm very thankful for that, however, you can't pick and choose what rights they fight for and create your own guidelines. The military also doesn't give us the right to protest. That is all thanks to the constitution. Kaepernick's peaceful protests, as far as I'm aware, have not broken any laws. He is protesting an injustice in the American social system, not American soldiers. You can't put words in someone else's mouth or thoughts in someone else's head.
Respecting someones attempt to bring justice to issues in this country is something I always try to do. Ruffling feathers is never an easy task, but it must be done when speaking your mind and taking a stand, or a seat in this case, for social causes.
