Colin Kaepernick, a multiracial quarterback on the San Francisco 49ers, refused to stand during the national anthem. When asked why by NFL Media, he said that he was “not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color." His act, or rather lack thereof, was done in protest of the establishment, of modern day race relations and the way people of color are treated throughout the country by the justice system. There is no denying that race is an issue. Racism is running rampant through society and people from soccer moms to police officers now fear for their lives simply due to their race or occupation.

However, this does not give Kaepernick an excuse to disrespect his country. This does not give him an excuse to dishonor the thousands of men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect us and make sure that we are living lives of happiness and freedom. By sitting during the national anthem, Kaepernick did not prove a point. He did not show how race relations in the United States are in a state of disarray. He showed that he does not respect nor care for his country or the people in it. The national anthem is played before sporting events to honor all lives lost in fighting for freedom and to honor all of those who are fighting for our freedom today and by sitting down, he showed the world how little he cares about those people. It is true that this man has the right to sit during the national anthem. Our first amendment provides freedom of expression, which means it is completely legal for him to not honor our country, but that does not make it right.

Some are arguing that the backlash he is receiving is ridiculous; that people plead for peaceful protests from these activists and when one finally occurs, the people still don’t like it and complain. They claim that the reasons he is receiving backlash are that he is black and because he is fighting for racial equality. The idea of peaceful protest does not bother me. The idea of fighting for what you believe in does not bother me. What bothers me is that, by sitting during the national anthem, Kaepernick insulted every single person who holds pride in their country and every single person who has laid down their life for this country. He blames each and every person in this country for what is happening, rather than the few bad seeds.

There are numerous other ways that Kaepernick could have peacefully shown his opposition to racial injustice. He could tweet, post on Instagram, march in a Black Lives Matter rally. He could have done a variety of things to prove his point and show the world his beliefs. But instead he decided to disrespect thousands of people in what almost seems to be a publicity stunt. Kaepernick told NFL that “this is bigger than football,” and he is correct in more ways than he intended. The national anthem is not something just played before sporting events for fun. It is bigger than football, and not standing during a show of national pride is a gross display of insolence.

I have no problem with Kaepernick’s beliefs or message. In fact, I agree with what he has been saying. Something needs to be done to ensure equal treatment of all people across the country — but the fight for justice should not be an excuse to affront other people.