Racism has always been an issue in America. Black voices have continuously been silenced, discouraged and disenfranchised. Black lives have never been a priority in this country and still are not in many cases today.
So it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see so many people firing back at Colin Kaepernick for deciding not to stand during the national anthem in what was a stance against racial oppression.
Over the last 15 years after what may be our greatest national tragedy in the events on Sept. 11, the national anthem has evolved into something different. To some, the anthem is a source of national pride and respect for what our soldiers and service people do for our country on a daily basis. And because of that, many people believe Kaepernick’s actions are a straight up dismissal of those sacrifices made.
But that’s not why he did it. That’s not why he did not stand. And that’s definitely not why he said what he said when asked about his actions.
What Kaepernick did was take a stand for so many people in this country who have otherwise been voiceless for centuries. He used his platform to make a wave and create a national conversation about race relations and the treatment of black people.
The stand was not necessarily in him refusing to stand up for the national anthem. It was in his words after the fact when asked about his action, or lack thereof, prior to the game in an interview with NFL Network’s Steve Wyche.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.....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.” -Colin Kaepernick
It wasn’t Michael Jordan donating money to the NAACP and a community policing program. It wasn’t LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul standing on a stage proclaiming that everyone needs to come together and find a solution. It wasn’t the same as the Minnesota Lynx wearing warm up shirts.
This was Muhammad Ali refusing to enter the draft or the Vietnam War. This was Tommie Smith and John Carlos in the 1968 Olympics. Sure, the stage is different, but the same message still applies.
He turned himself into a lightning rod and he knew it ― but it was for the good of the public. He wanted to make a statement and that was this: Stop allowing black blood to spill in the streets with no repercussions.
In this country, people always want to know how their celebrities think. What political views do they have? What do they think about the state of affairs in this country? That is, until they disagree.
When we agree with them or when they do not offend us, we want them to continue to speak. And once they’re contrary, we want them to be silent. They’re paid enough and lead happy lives, right? What is there to complain about?
Like all messages, what matters most is how the message is received and reacted to. And just look at how notable sports personalities, including some of his NFL peers, reacted to Kaepernick’s stance.
Talk about missing the point.
Somehow, there are some people who believe that because Kaepernick has enjoyed a successful NFL career and makes $14 million per year as an NFL quarterback that his work is done. He’s made it, so therefore colored people across the country have made it. There is nothing to complain about.
But when there are still black lives lost at the hands of law enforcement for unconfirmed reasons, black children being mistaken as adults and targeted and an entire presidential campaign based on fascist policies being run uninhibited, there is clearly work still to be done.
Kaepernick is not the only black man in the United States. He does not speak for us all and cannot solve all of our problems. His money is not some magical silver bullet that proves the system is right or has no further progression.
And his stance taken here is not some indictment on our country’s armed forces. Believe it or not, you can hate racism and still respect our armed forces! Crazy, right!?
What Kaepernick did had nothing to do with the country’s military or the many sacrifices they made. Those sacrifices run deep and are important in preserve the freedoms we have. Which, by the way, Kaepernick exercised when he took his stand.
Muhammad Ali once said he wanted to use his “fame and this face that everyone knows so well,” to uplift people and fight for what he believed in. He famously did that and he took a lot of grief for it.
This is the same man so many just praised for his battle against racial inequality and religious freedom as he moved on from this life. Kaepernick is doing nothing different here. He is using his platform to send a message.
The reception is not going so well at this point, but this isn’t the real conversation. Once people start to see that, we can really have a worthwhile discussion about what Kap’s message is.