(Photo of Kaepernick kneeling during the anthem from nbc.com is by Chris Carson [AP].)Colin Kaepernick again refused to stand for the national anthem before the San Francisco 49ers last pre-season game. Instead of sitting this time, he (and teammate Eric Reid) kneeled on one knee. Kaepernick's refusal to stand for the anthem is his way of demonstrating against the racism that still exists in this country.
He told the reporters present that he would be donating the first $1 million of his salary this year to organizations and communities to fight for equality. He said:
"I am planning to take it a step further, I'm currently working with organizations to be involved, and making sure I'm actively in these communities, as well as donating the first million dollars I make this year to different organizations to help these communities and help these people."
"I've been very blessed to be in this position and make the kind of money I do, and I have to help these people. I have to help these communities. It's not right that they're not put in the position to succeed, or given the opportunities to succeed."
His refusal to stand was not popular with many in the crowd though. He received a chorus of boos from many, and at least one sign was displayed saying "You're an American. Act like one". What the person displaying that sign fails to grasp is that Kaepernick IS acting like an American -- an American brave enough to exercise his First Amendment freedom of speech right.
There has also been a lot of outrage over Kaepernick's action on social media platforms. Many are saying that he should respect the flag because many died for that flag. They are wrong. Soldiers did not fight and die for that piece of cloth. They fought and died to protect our constitutional rights -- the same right that Kaepernick is exercising.
I have noticed that the same people who complain about Kaepernick are strangely silent about the problems he is protesting. A lot of them were quick to adopt the "All lives matter" theme (which is nothing more than a way to ignore the racial problems outlined by the "Black lives matter" movement. These people don't want to discuss (or even recognize) the racial problems that still plague this country.
That is hypocrisy. How can you say you believe in the Constitution and the freedoms it gives us, and then call someone un-American for exercising those freedoms? If these people want their outrage viewed as anything but hypocritical, they should FIX THE RACE PROBLEM in this country.
