Kaepernick is my hero. Seriously, a few weeks ago I went out and purchased Kaepernick jersey’s for me and my entire family. I have been a die-hard Eagle’s fan I believe since birth, but yet and still we are Kaepernicked out for this NFL season.
It is not even JUST about his peaceful silent protest of the National Anthem. Even though the irony of how racist even the National Anthem is shows how deeply rooted in racism this country is and has been for a very long time. So even if he was protesting that alone…. that would be enough…. but that’s not the lone reason.
Nevertheless, the reason he is the latest addition to my heroes list is because of his perseverance. In my mind, Kaepernick has joined the likes of Jackie Robinson, Kareem Abdul Jabar, Muhammad Ali and many other historical African American athletes who have seen injustice and oppression and called it out for what it was no matter how unpopular and bold it was, even at the cost of everything. Have you noticed how smoothly he smiles even in the midst of heavy scrutiny and even death threats? With each brilliant and savvy rebuttal to ridiculous and racist questions and comments he is poised and scholarly and is prepared for it all.
Very Jackie Robinson and Bill Russell-ish, right?
In the age of social media and internet trolls who get “BIG pretend” outraged about something and go haywire about it because it offended them, it is easy to immediately say things like what Kate Upton and Kid Rock have said in regards to Kaepernick.
The irony is how ill-informed so many people are. With so much information at our fingertips, it is amazing how misinformed we are in so many things. For example, the third verse of the National Anthem when they speak about the victory and joy of killing slaves. Or how about the true history and reason why the National Anthem is such a big deal when it comes to NFL game openers in the first place. Can you guess the real reason why? If you said money… then you would be absolutely right. ESPN Sports Anchor Steven A. Smith summed it up beautifully. On his show, First Take he stated: “Until 2009, no NFL player stood for the National Anthem because players actually stayed in the locker room as the Anthem played,” Smith said. “The players were moved to the field during the National Anthem because it was seen as a marketing strategy to make the athletes look more patriotic. The United States Department of Defense paid the National Football League $5.4 million between 2011 and 2014, and the National Guard $6.7 million between 2013 and 2015 to stage on-field patriotic ceremonies as part of military recruitment budget-line items."
Amazing how much the marketing strategy worked because now you have grown people threatening to KILL children all across America who followed in the footsteps of Kaepernick and also pledged to kneel for change.
The last rebuttal to Kaepernick is always about the military. Even though he has spoken up SEVERAL times and stated that HE SUPPORTS THE MILITARY and thousands in the military responded with the #vetsforkaepernick there was such an overflow of military personnel who supported everything about what Kaepernick was doing and talking about it became a trending topic.
The brilliant revolutionary James Baldwin once said “It comes with great shock…to discover that the flag to which you have pledged allegiance…has not pledged allegiance to you. It comes as a great shock to see Gary Cooper killing off the Indians, and although you are rooting for Gary Cooper, that the Indians are you.
Somewhere I believe Ali is smiling down on Kaepernick knowing that the fight for freedom and equality did not die with him but like the spirit of Ali the fight will live on forever.
