By now, many of you have heard about the San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, who has decided to take a knee during the national anthem. Needless to say, this act by a young football player has enraged fans of the NFL and many Americans in general. In the press and throughout social media, Kaepernick has been called unpatriotic, an embarrassment to the league, lucky to be in America and almost every racial epithet out there (even some I had not even heard of). However, Kaepernick’s decision not to take part in the ritual of the national anthem until certain issues and concerns of the larger Black community are addressed is truly an American act.
This country has had a long history of athletes taking political stands to protest the Vietnam War, to raise awareness pertaining to civil rights issues, and even to protest inadequate salary and compensation. The names of Ali, Abdul-Jabbar, Brown and Russell are celebrated when discussing the courageous acts of athletes that were done in the past. However, when faced with the courageous acts of, say, the women in the WNBA or Colin Kaepernick, the vitriol is swift and stinging, as are the consequences. The fines imposed on the players in the WNBA, women who are grossly underpaid compared with their male NBA counterparts, were an attempt to silence those brave women. It did not work. And now many analysts have ascertained that this season may very well be Kaepernick’s last because of his most recent performance and “now this stuff.”
Well, if this season is Kaepernick’s last season in the NFL, I am so glad he has decided to be one of the few brave Black men in the NFL to speak out against injustice, in a league that is 67 percent African-American and where many of the men come from the very communities Kaepernick is trying to bring into the national conversation. Wouldn’t it be a better world if the other African-American players and the non-African American players spoke out as well? Unfortunately, there are too many Black players and NFL sports analysts who are more concerned about their paychecks from the league and ESPN. Yes, there are myriad players who have spoken out against Kaepernick exercising his First Amendment right to freedom of speech (and expression). We must always remember: There are some who are using the master’s tools to dismantle the house and others who are using the master’s tools to help strengthen and fortify it.
I salute Kaepernick and applaud all of the NFL fans who have bought his jersey in solidarity. It filled my heart to see so many Black veterans and soldiers in the armed services express their support for his brave stance, kneeling. Yes, in 2016 taking a knee is an act that can get one harassed, vilified and potentially fired. I do hope Kaepernick also sees this act as one that inspires as well.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University and the author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream.” You can find her on Twitter @Dr_CMGreer.