Colin Kaepernick's Fight Against Racism

43% of American adults support black lives matter and believe that black people are treated unfairly. Recently, Colin Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49rs Quarterback, took a stand against racism towards black people in America. To do this, he kneeled during “The Star-Spangled Banner,” feeling that America did not truly welcome him. Kaepernick has received various responses either shaming him or supporting him. Kaepernick was not the first to protest during a game. Athletes such as Gabby Douglas, Tommie Smith, and John Carlos have protested during the anthem in the past. Although Kaepernick had not meant to cause commotion, he does not regret his actions. Kaepernick’s actions are completely appropriate because black people do not need to praise

a country they are oppressed by and the injustice towards black people needs to be addressed.
Kaepernick’s movement is justified because it is not necessary for somebody to praise the flag to praise a country that oppresses a certain group he is part of.

To start with, in paragraph six of the article “In the ‘land of the free,’ are you free to sit out the national anthem?” by Jaweed Kaleem, the author writes, “the White House defended the quarterback’s right to protest what he says is a flag ‘for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.’” The most important part of the government, the White House, supports Kaepernick and his actions. Kaepernick is not forced by America to embrace a country that doesn’t embrace him. Additionally, Kaepernick is not alone in the athletic world who struggles to come to terms with his patriotism. Jackie Robinson, the first black professional baseball player, wrote in his autobiography I Never Had it Made, “I cannot stand and sing the anthem. I cannot salute the flag; I know that I am a black man in a white world." Other athletes of color have felt unappreciated by the country, persecuted by racism, and have felt the need to protest. Kaepernick is not completely alone in his patriotic struggle and is supported by other black athletes. In addition, many black people have been oppressed by American police, justifying Kaepernick’s uneasiness towards patriotism. In fact, according to www.mappingpoliceviolence.org, “police killed at least 102 unarmed black people in 2015, nearly twice each week.” Kaepernick’s discomfort

towards praising the country is reasonable, considering how people similar to himself have been shot for almost no reason.
Although those who defend Kaepernick have good reasons, yet those who disagree with his actions also have just reasons for not supporting him.

One reason for this is that Kaepernick is simply being disrespectful. Kaleem writes, “photos that show Kaepernick during practice wearing socks that depict police as pigs.” Kaepernick is showing unappreciation for the people who protect American citizens by treating them like animals. It shows that he has no knowledge of what hard work the officers put into their jobs each day. On the other hand, Kaepernick has good reasoning for this, explaining on an instagram post that they represent the “rogue cops” that have hurt and killed so many black people. Still, these people who oppose Kaepernick have fair points. According to “49ers QB Colin Kaepernick has rights, but he's not correct,” Sports Columnist Brian T. Smith argues that the same country that Kaepernick protests against “allows Kaepernick to make a base salary of $11.9 million by sitting on the bench and failing to deliver on his athletic promise.” It is selfish that Kaepernick argued against the country that gives him so many rights and the privilege of being paid to play on a major sports team. On the other hand, Kaepernick is correct that there are many black people being shot for no reason and are less fortunate than himself. Finally, Kaepernick may be incorrect according to Steve Siebold, writer for the Huffington Post. He wrote, “it is ironic that they are disparaging the

very people who fight and even give their lives to protect this right.” This is not incorrect, with Kaepernick disregarding the effort that veterans put into earning the rights to freedom of speech for Americans. On the other hand, veterans actually support Kaepernick, tweeting about Kaepernick with the hashtag #VeteransForKaepernick. There are fair reasons for disagreeing with Kaepernick.
Ultimately , because Kaepernick does not need to give back to a country that doesn’t give enough to his fellow black people, Kaepernick’s reasons for kneeling during the National Anthem are valid. Because Kaepernick is defended by the White House, he is not alone in his beliefs about racism in patriotism, and black people are truly oppressed, Kaepernick’s has a good purpose for kneeling during the anthem. To support Colin Kaepernick’s stand with black lives matter, anyone can donate to www.blacklivesmatter.com. It is imperative to donate for the end of racism.