49er's player Colin Kaepernick is in rough waters after pulling a controversial move during a football game. In protest to police brutality and support of the Black Lives Matter movement, Kaepernick chose to sit during the national anthem. This sparked a plethora of praise and shame from both sides of the political spectrum.
This stunt could lose him endorsements, sponsors, and fans, but Kaepernick was well aware of the backlash he would face.
This backlash comes primarily from right-sided conservative Americans who pride themselves in the American way and all aspects about it. Some of the complaints include that soldiers and veterans are out there risking their lives solely so that he can stand there and respect the national anthem. Another complaint is that he is using his celebrity status to be a "prima-donna" and raise a ruckus for please.
This is my point of view.
Colin Kaepernick has every right to peacefully protest things that are occurring in his country that he feels should not be happening. People are criticizing the BLM movement for destroying their own neighborhoods with violent protesting, but also throw a temper-tantrum when someone silently and peacefully sits to make a bold point. What do you want him to do? Ignore issues and not make any progress? The opposition to his protest is highly hypocritical and completely violates the first amendment of allowing someone their freedoms.
Speaking of the first amendment, those crying about his protest claim it is a disgrace to soldiers and veterans who have fought and died for him to stand. But you know what? Those brave people who are serving and have served our country have fought for our rights to stand and sit during the national anthem. Those soldiers are out their fighting for our country to be the biggest and best and they only wish that the people still residing in their homeland would take a stand to make the country the best place it can be for when they get back from their deployment. They fight for not only a peaceful world and a country safe from attack, but a country that is united and not constantly at each other's throats. Pictured below are a few exampled of #VeteransForKaepernick.
And lastly, Colin Kaepernick is rightfully using a celebrity status as a platform to draw attention to issues that are prominent in our country. Why isn't anybody upset with players using their fame to party their fortunes away or frivolously spend their money on cars and luxuries items when hard working people like teachers, firefighters, police, soldiers, etc. are out shaping and and helping our country are paid extremely low salaries?
Moral of the story: stop complaining about this man's peaceful protest. It is in his rights that soldiers are out there fighting for every day. I hope one day that people do not get upset over someone who is only trying to fight for what is right and open their eyes and join the cause. Props to you, Colin, and keep using your public platform to make a statement.
