By now everyone in America knows what Colin Kaepernick has been doing, after all it has caused quite the uproar across the nation. Kaepernick first starting refusing to stand during the national anthem late in the preseason. Almost immediately after the anthem was over Kaepernick was thrown into a whirlwind of criticism and hate.
After the game the quarterback was asked about not standing, he said it all stemmed from how "the flag stands for a country that is oppressing its own colored people". Now we've all seen cases that have been in the media such as Travon Martin, Michael Ferguson, Kendrick Brown, etc. who have been killed by police brutality. Towns have been turned upside down and family tore apart over this racism. But do we really know the numbers? According to http://mappingpoliceviolence.org/ unarmed black men were killed at 5x the rate as unarmed white men. Even more disturbing is the fact that 1/3 of ever black man killed by police was identified as unarmed but of course that number is inaccurate due to lack of reporting. You would think those innocent lives would get some sort of justice right? Wrong. Only 10 out of at least 102 cases in 2015 alone were cases were brought in front of a jury, and even worse only two were actually found guilty.
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So is Kaepernick right with his protest? The nation is still divided on the matter, and it is still yet been seen if more and more players will join him in his protest. Rumors have it that the entire Seattle Seahawks team along with more individual players will join Kaepernick sitting or kneeling during opening weekend of the season. But the potest has ever reached farther than football, rapper Chris Brown has reached out in support of Kaepernick. Also our nations own branches of military have sat in protest during the anthem. A Navy sailor has recently posted a video of herself sitting in protest. Does that make you think this problem is actually bigger than football and a man who choose not to stand? Being that Sunday is September 11th more players and anyone else not standing for the anthem will be an even hotter topic than any other day.
Obviously this protest has not come without consequence. People have turned to social media to bash Kaepernick and his ideas, many post including racial slurs and disrespectful messages claiming that he was arrogant and spoiled . Many fans even began to burn his jersey posting videos everywhere for their followers to see. So how will this stunt ultimately effect Kaepernick and his career? Well before he began protesting rumors in the NFL world were that he was going to be released anyway so really he had nothing to lose by protesting. Also he was not breaking any NFL rules by protesting- he said nothing inappropriate or acted out in any way to cause a sanction from the NFL, bad news for those of you hoping for a suspension or a contract release. While there are of course people critising him there are supporters as well including President Obama. According to http://www.telegraph.co President Obama said ".. based on what I've heard. I think he cares about some real legitimate issues that have to be talked about."
The facts certainly speak for themselves, there is obviously a problem regarding our nations police departments all across the board. Of course I'm not saying ever cop is crooked but certainly something has to be done. But I'm not so sure it's sitting while our nations anthem is playing. So many people gave their lives for this nation and our freedom, if nothing else you should stand for them. I applaud Kaepernick for taking a stand in what he believes in, very few do that now a days but he is going about it all the wrong ways. Whether this was just a publicity stunt or not it's surely too much. The nation anthem is not just a song that stand for our country is stands for the millions who are no longer with us as I said before. Also to adress the comments toward Kaepernick, they are beyond pathetic, he is wrong for not standing yes, but as free Americans we have a right to decide against things like that. He is exercising his rights as found in the First Amendment. Calling him racist names is not going to make him stand any faster, actually it might just make him sit longer. It is exactly what he is protesting so why are you fighting fire with fire? With that all being said I beg you Colin take the flag out or your protest..
