Colin Kaepernick recently visited Brooklyn Public Library (BPL)’s Central Library for the official national launch of his new memoir, “The Perilous Fight.” At the event, described as an author talk and book conversation on behalf of their “BPL Presents” cultural programming series, Kaepernick discussed his book with investigative journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones.
“First, very grateful to be here with all of you today, very excited for this!” said Kaepernick. “Also, Spike [Lee]’s sitting in the front, I have to say, ‘Knicks in 5!’” Lee jokingly stood up for a moment, still beaming about his beloved 2026 World Champions as the audience clapped. He then quickly sat back down in respect for the man of the hour.
The BPL event celebrated the release of Kaepernick’s memoir while marking his 10 years of protesting police brutality by not standing for the national anthem. “If I actually love us and I have pride in us, why am I standing for this? Why am I showing pride in this?” he asked the crowd. Kaepernick shone a light on the many instances of police brutality against Black people, particularly the December 2015 San Francisco police killing of Mario Woods. He recalled to the audience, “They just executed this man in the middle of the street. He didn’t have to die.” Kaepernick shared someone’s apathetic response: “Well, you don’t know what he did.” He continued, “It doesn’t matter what he did; he didn’t have to die.” Police shot Woods 21 times and the officer who killed him did not face criminal charges. This led to Kaepernick sitting during the national anthem at the first NFL preseason game of 2016.
Kaepernick hopes his book becomes a reference point of knowledge. He emphasized the power of “the calling” one receives when choosing to live in one’s purpose. “I hope everybody has the sense of hearing that calling, answering it and taking it further…I hope, through this memoir, they’re able to gather some of the insights.”
Colin Kaepernick discussing his new memoir, “The Perilous Fight,” with Investigative journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones for a Brooklyn’s Central Library event.(Brenika Banks photos) 
Colin Kaepernick talking and taking pictures with fans after memoir discussion.(Brenika Banks photos) 
Colin Kaepernick with AmNews reporter Brenika Banks during his NYC “The Perilous Fight” book tour stop. 
Colin Kaepernick hugging fans and supporters after memoir discussion at Brooklyn’s Central Library. (Brenika Banks photos)
When asked what he would like to share with AmNews readers from his current perspective, Kaepernick replied: “Continue taking actions, continue fighting. Every single one of you matter — you have to show up for each other, continue to do so. I know you are already doing that [as a Black publication] but let’s continue to build upon it, amplify it.”
At the event, Hannah-Jones later asked, “How are we in this moment, when it is clear that the most dangerous thing is an intelligent, politically informed Black man determined to stand in his power?” Kaepernick shared that Roc Nation, founded by Jay-Z, once tried to recruit him with the Brooklyn-born rapper supporting Kaepernick publicly in 2017. However, according to Kaepernick, when he reached out to show gratitude, Jay-Z wasn’t interested in speaking to him.
When the two eventually spoke, Kaepernick warned Jay-Z his deal with the NFL was “selling the culture out to a bunch of racists.” Kaepernick shared that Jay-Z’s response was, “the ink is dried.” He respectfully asked Jay-Z to not use his name in anything else, but he apparently did not honor their agreement. “It speaks to the fact that not everybody is going to be willing to do things that are not self-interested for the collective good.”
BPL Presents will continue their cultural programs through artistic live experiences. Their mission is to “explore the critical issues of our time in Brooklyn and beyond” through the arts. For more info, visit bklynlibrary.org/bpl-presents.
