Taking a page out of the very same book that has eternally etched the anti-establishment protests of legendary socially conscious athletes Muhammad Ali, John Carlos, Tommie Smith, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf and Craig Hodges, just to mention a few, Colin Kaepernick has utilized his star status to heighten awareness about relevant social issues. Mainly the torrent of police terrorism consistently committed across the country against America’s citizen of color.
During consecutive weeks, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback refused to stand for the singing of the national anthem before two NFL preseason games. Instead, he sat on the bench Aug. 26 before a game against the Green Bay Packers, and then knelt on the sidelines Sept. 1 for the preseason finale against the San Diego Chargers, with teammate Eric Reid joining him. He said it was in protest to the rampant racism plaguing the so-called land of the free.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color,” he said afterward. “There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
Then, during a postgame news conference after Thursday’s scrimmage, the 28-year-old took it “a step further” and pledged to donate the first $1 million he earned this season “to organizations assisting communities affected by racial injustice and police brutality.”
Articulating that he wanted to make sure he was not “just talking about” these issues, but was also “actively being involved” and “actively trying to make a change,” he expressed concern.
“I’ve been very blessed to be in this position and be able to make the kind of money I do,” Kaepernick noted. “I have to help these communities. It’s not right that they’re not put in the position to succeed or given those opportunities to succeed.”
The Milwaukee-native, whose father is Black and whose mother is Caucasian, said Thursday he believed his protest has been falsely painted as “anti-American” and “anti–men and women of the military.”
“Once again, I’m not anti-American,” he indicated. “I love America. I love people. That’s why I’m doing this. I want to help make America better. I think having these conversations helps everybody have a better understanding of where everybody is coming from.”
Despite protests by police officers, he added that he was “definitely considering accepting invitations to meet with police and other law enforcement officers.”
Bettors are already taking wages on how long into the NFL’s 18-week season he will continue, and whether the NFL will take any action against him or the team if he persists.
Monday, President Barack Obama said that Kaepernick is “exercising his constitutional right” by refusing to stand during the national anthem. “I think he cares about some real, legitimate issues that have to be talked about,” Obama said during a news conference in China. “And if nothing else, what he’s done is he’s generated more conversation around some topics that need to be talked about.”
Kaepernic lead the 49ers to the 2012 Super Bowl and to the 2013 NFC Championship game, but he will start the 2016 campaign on the bench, backing Blaine Gabbert.
He was frequently booed during the preseason finale, and the Santa Clara, Calif. police union has threatened to not secure 49ers home games this season. The 49ers play their first regular season game Sept. 12.
Kaepernic’s jersey is now the fifth best-seller at the NFL’s official online store.
