It was Aug. 26, two weeks ago, that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick carried out what on the surface was an innocuous, silent protest against what he perceives to be widespread social injustices directed at Black men and women in this country.
Shortly before kickoff of a preseason game between the 49ers and Green Bay Packers at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., home of the 49ers, the 28-year-old Kaepernick sat on a bench on the 49ers’ sideline instead of customarily standing for the traditional playing of the national anthem before the start of the game. His actions drew both extensive support and condemnation, and were prevalently covered by national as well as international media.
The media attention and debate over Kaepernick’s expression of social consciousness has not subsided. Despite his articulation of the meaning of him forgoing what has become a cultural norm at sporting events and other affairs, those opposed to his gesture have crafted false narratives—notably disrespect of the military and disdain for America—that ironically in large part are the reasons Kaepernick has determined to show indifference to the symbolic honoring of a distorted American ideal.
“I think it’s a misunderstanding,” he attempted to clarify. “The media painted this as I’m anti-American, anti–men and women of the military, and that’s not the case at all. I realize that men and women of the military put themselves in harm’s way for my freedoms of speech and my freedom in this country and my freedom to take a seat or take a knee. I have the utmost respect for them.”
Kaepernick continued, “… It’s something to make sure that I wasn’t just talking about something, but being involved and actively trying to make a change in these communities. I’ve been very blessed to be in this position and make the kind of money I do. I have to help these people. [Twenty-two] military vets a day commit suicide, but this country will let the vets go and fight the war for them, but when they come back they won’t do anything to try to help him. That’s another issue. These issues need to be addressed.”
Unfortunately, and what has become common practice, the injustices that Kaepernick speaks of will almost assuredly continue to permeate without seriously and proactively being addressed on a significant scale. There will be more lip service and posturing than sustained solutions and progress. The debate that is taking place is misguidedly focused more on Kaepernick than on the issues he’s attempting to illuminate, loudly being argued in an echo chamber where the multitude of voices offering their opinions are sadly identical on both sides of the discourse.
Kaepernick, who was born in Milwaukee, Wis., to a 19-year-old white woman and African-American father, and adopted by a white couple that subsequently raised him in California, has fearlessly faced the backlash and potential damage to his football career for a cause he views much greater than his own personal gain. In doing so, Kaepernick has admirably demonstrated agency and influence.
Those empowered to do the same, particularly politicians, those elected and appointed to the judiciary and law enforcement officials, should follow Kaepernick’s example: Decide whether they will figuratively and literally stand up for what’s right, sit down as he has and make a substantial positive difference, or face the wrath and consequences of ultimately doing nothing.
