In response to "Dear Mr. Kaepernick:"

you are correct in saying that the United States is a country made up of different colors, shapes, and sizes; we are a mixing pot of many. We are a country that has fought from the beginning. We have fought for independence, Women's Rights, and Civil Rights. Americans have been fighting injustices since our birth, and we are far from done. In a country that has fought for so much freedom, there are still many citizens that don't get the same opportunity or treatment that the majority do. In a country know for its equality, there are still many citizens that experience racism and injustices that the majority could never imagine.

That is what Colin Kaepernick is protesting. He is protesting a country that hates his sisters and brothers; a country that shoots them in the street while begging for help or in a park while playing with friends. He is protesting a country that only loved him because he was entertaining their fancy. Colin Kaepernick isn't protesting or disrespecting our military personal. It goes much further than that. Kaepernick is protesting this visage that our country has put up; this visage that our country is perfect and that all citizens are given the same opportunity. He is protesting this idea that the police are all trying to help us and that some citizens aren't being hunted by the system meant to protect them.

Bailey I am sorry that you think the extent of what our Military fights for is a piece of fabric and not the freedom of all citizens in our country. I am sorry that you think that a piece of fabric is worth more respect and volume than the cries of help from thousands of our own people. I am sorry that you don't want to hear their cries. That fabric doesn't represent what this country has been through the people of our country represent what this country has been through. Every time a woman goes to vote she is representing what this country has been through. Every time an African-American, Hispanic, and Caucasian step into the same classroom represents what this country has gone through. We have made a lot of progress but we still have far to go, and every time someone speaks up against injustices we are making this amazing country even better.

To Colin Kaepernick, I want to thank you for using your influence to show Americans that America is not as free and equal as they may have thought. Thank you for loving your country enough to take a stand and trying to change the problems that America has. Thank you for utilizing the freedoms that our country has to offer to bring light to the freedoms that many of Americans are not given. Mr. Kaepernick, keep fighting. Keep the name of the cause in your oppressors' mouths. Use your influence to shine a light on an issue that plagues so many. Use your voice to make America better than it ever has been because this is the only way.