Over the years we've seen segregation end, alongside workplace discrimination, which has allowed all people of color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin to now have an equal opportunity and be qualified for the same job. Sounds great, right? Well, unfortunately, there's still something lingering in this country that is keeping us from making progress where it's needed. I've heard some call it "heritage" (which completely blows my mind, you guys lost the war.) I've also heard some call it "hate." Whatever the word choice is, it's lack of education in my eyes.

Truth of the matter is, there is still a vast majority of racism, sexism, homophobia, bigotry, and xenophobia, etc. (Pretty sure I just described a certain Presidential Candidate)

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal..."

Thomas Jefferson, 33, wrote these words...Imagine what a man so young can envision at that age. That in the moments of creating the law of the land, that every single living human being in this great nation of ours, is "equal".

This leads me to our dear friend, Colin Kaepernick, who some believe to be an "Un-American." My question for those who think so is this...How? A man takes a knee, silently protesting, during the national anthem. Granted, many say that it is a tradition to stand and honor America and those who fight for this country, but I do believe that those men and women who do fight have sworn an oath to protect, NOT THE PEOPLE, but The Constitution of the United States. Kaepernick is kneeling not because he dislikes this country, like an immense group of people have interpreted, but because, he is sending a message. Colin is using his First Amendment right to do so, which makes him a human being like the rest of us, with a voice to be heard.

Here's an example for the 'naysayers':

Kaepernick kneels during the national anthem to protest, (peaceful protest) using his constitutional right = "Un-American"

A man stands up and calls for a complete shut down of a certain religion coming to the U.S., and jokes about sexual assault = Presidential Candidate

Call me 'Old Fashioned' but doesn't that just seem a little too unrealistic?

At the end of the day, you can call Colin Kaepernick whatever choice of words you choose. I'm only here to bring attention to the fact that Kaepernick is kneeling for a reason, and that shouldn't make him an enemy of this country. He should be praised, and we need to open our eyes to what it is that is happening and find a way to offer our help. This country will never be perfect, but we can at least try and make it so.

All men are created equal, and it takes people like Kaepernick to raise awareness that there are many problems people are facing in this country that have yet to be resolved. Ignorance is what is keeping us from advancing as a society, and when people rally behind a person whose words are generating such hate, it doesn't help us out whatsoever.

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."

- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.