On August 26, 2016, Colin Kaepernick, quarterback for the 49ers, took the country by storm when he decided to kneel instead of stand for the National Anthem. Millions took to social media platforms after it happened and expressed their outrage. After the game was over, Kaepernick was interviewed and asked about why he didn't stand. His response? "'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.'" Even after Kaepernick gave justification to his actions, many football fans were still outraged. Nasty comments were made on Facebook posts saying things like "he doesn't know what it's like to be black because his parents are white", or even calling him a felon for not standing. Comments like those are why Kaepernick felt the need to kneel, and why I've decided that I'm going to take a knee with him.
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If you've watched any news in the last year, you know that there seems to be a targeting of sorts on people of color. Philando Castile, an innocent black man, was shot to death by law enforcement even after following every direction the officer gave him. Gymnast Gabby Douglas was publicly ridiculed for the way she wore her hair. Presidential candidate Donald Trump even went as far as to ask black voters "What do you have to lose?" in an attempt to get their votes. Black people in America, or any minorities really, are not treated with an ounce of respect often times, and Colin Kaepernick used his professional athlete status to take a stance against it. Many people viewed it as disrespectful, but those are the same people showing massive amounts of disrespect toward people of color.
But Kayla, what about the people who have fought for our country? Why shouldn't he stand for them? Good question. While he didn't stand, he did stop what he was doing. He could've continued warming up, but instead he took a knee. That's more than what Joe Schmoe is doing when he's in the bathroom taking his pre-game pee while the anthem plays. The veterans that people believe Kaepernick is disrespecting fought for freedom for all American citizens. By not standing, Kaepernick is exercising his freedom. To deny him of that would be more unpatriotic than not standing while an anthem plays.
Colin Kaepernick chose to sit to bring attention to the unfair way black people in America are treated. While it didn't immediately fix the problem, it sure sparked a lot of discussion, which is a great starting point. As a person who believes in freedom for all, I will strongly support Kaepernick in his decision to sit. His actions spoke for all of the people who don't feel free in America. Freedom cannot exist until everyone is free, and if we're up in arms over people trying to express their freedoms, we've got a long way to go.
