Why is Colin Kaepernick being saluted during Black History Month? Well, simply because he’s been STANDING for unarmed black men and women who died at the hands of police officers by TAKING A KNEE during the National Anthem; starting in 2016.
Normally, the broadcasting cameras would pan over to the players, grabbing their jerseys, humming the anthem and getting their minds right for the match that was about to commence. Then it stopped to focus on one particular player who wasn’t singing at all. That was former San Fransisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick.
San Francisco 49ers Eric Reid and Colin Kaepernick take a knee during the National Anthem prior to their game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte North Carolina, Photo Date: 9/18/16 / Photo: Ed Clemente / MGN
“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 in an interview. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.” He added that he would continue to sit during the national anthem until seeing “significant change” for minorities. (SOURCE)
Since taking a stand, by taking a knee, Kaepernick started conversations across the globe and around the dinner tables, barbershops water coolers. Boycotts from die-hard football fans who felt it was necessary to pay more attention to the message than the match-up between their favorite AFC and NFC teams, started to take effect (didn’t last too long though).
Some fans were fuming and urged the NFL to release Kaepernick(which eventually happened). Even President Trump weighing in at a rally calling for owners to “fire the sons of b*tches who disrespects our flag!” (SOURCE)
Colin Kaepernick to be featured in African American history museum; still no Clarence Thomas
This back and forth, unfortunately, hasn’t stopped the heart-wrenching tragedies between unarmed black men and women killed by police. Black Lives Matter rallies continue to take over the streets in our inner cities; causing confusion by those who are deemed unconnected to the reality behind how this began. Even the misconception that Kaepernick’s pledge to not participate was disrespectful to those serving in the military, became a headline on .
For Black History Month, Colin Kaepernick is being saluted because he continues to stand for all of us; doing more work now than he did when he was passing record-breaking yards in his football career.
Here’s an update:
On August 30, 2018, an arbitrator denied the NFL’s request to dismiss Kaepernick’s grievance, indicating that the quarterback presented sufficient evidence to support his collusion claims. As a result, several prominent owners and coaches were expected to be called to testify during the 2018 NFL season. (SOURCE)
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