Colin Kaepernick's Decision To Protest Racial Injustice

On September 21st, Christine Brennan reported Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to stand while the national anthem was being played in National Public Radio’s (NPR) online portal (www.npr.org). All through the National Football League 's preseason matches, Colin Kaepernick, a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, refused to stand for the national anthem. He clarified that he took this stance to point out what he sees as wrongdoings against African-Americans and different minorities, especially with regards to certain atrocities in police activities. Kaepernick has stated he is showing support for the Black Lives Matter movement, which was sparked by a number of police killing innocent black people. When addressed by journalists after the first occasion when he did not stand for the national anthem, Kaepernick stated that, “he would not show respect or pride in a flag for a country that continues to oppress African Americans and people of color.” He added that this was much bigger than any game and that it would be selfish on his part to look away. He also claims that there were bodies lying on the streets and people were getting away with murder. I don’t think Brennan understands why he chose not to stand fully. I think this also could have led to more attacks from other writers and reporters that have been inform of his true reasoning. I do not think he was disrespecting the flag or people that fight for it, but just making a stance to get

The president of the United States who is also the commander in chief for the United States military, Obama, has stated that everyone is strongly encouraged to stand during the playing of the countries national anthem. However he continued to say in a press conference with Cable News Network that Colin Kaepernick is exercising his constitutional rights of freedom of speech to do as he wishes during this time (Diaz, 2016). Although the nation is now divided upon whether this act of Colin’s is considered morally ethical or not, everyone has their very own personal preference to what is right.

After all the talk, some have determined Colin Kaepernick has rights, but that does not make him right for not standing during the national anthem. For some who may not know, Colin Kaepernick is a famous football player for the San Francisco 49ers. He recently refused to stand for the national anthem before his game in protest of what he deems are wrongdoings against African American in the United States.

Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers quarterback, started much controversy against America when he remained seated for the national anthem during a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers. Kaepernick seems to had developed an enmity against America. He feels that he and fellow African American athletes should not show patriotism to their country because of the unfair treatment their ancestors went through throughout history. Although Kaepernick does have a point about the racial discrimination colored people went through throughout American history, he still has no right to disrespect his country. Kaepernick himself is not black, he is white, but he is just drawing attention to himself.

The freedom of speech states “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." (Freedom of Speech, (n.d.). Kaepernick was not interfering with anyone’s life, inflicting pain or committing a crime towards someone else, this is important to keep in mind since he faces large consequences such as being kicked off the San Francisco 49ers. For the football player being hated amongst and suffering consequences, it means that his freedom of speech is being restricted. But the citizens of the U.S are also using their freedom of speech to showcase their opinions on the issue even though others may not agree. Which is very

Before a preseason game on a Friday, San Francisco 49ers not even starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the playing of the national anthem. Although the lovely twitter users have called Kaepernick things such as a “coward”, “disgraceful”, and a “little bitch”, some people say and compare him to other protesters in the past, for example Muhammad Ali in the 1970s, thought that’s not the case. Ali is the man most of America recently celebrated as a necessary and historic part of the American story. Further research and Ali's message wasn't always crystal clear and to the point. His legacy was complicated yet oh so brilliant, but that is why he was so important. He said things about the Muslim innocence people didn’t want to hear, but needed to. Even if they disagree severely. Although people disagree with the protest methods Kaepernick uses, the method has been controversial and has influenced many others to agree with it.

Colin Kaepernick, a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, has created much controversy in the nation over his latest protest. During a preseason football game Kaepernick was photographed sitting during the national anthem (McKirdy). When asked about the action later, Kaepernick explained, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” (Wyche). The nation exploded. Many showed their support for the quarterback, expressing pride in him for “standing up” for the things he believes in. Others displayed their anger with him for disrespecting the flag and all the things the flag represents. After seeing what a backlash his action received, Kaepernick decided to kneel instead of sitting, claiming that his new way of protesting would show more respect for those in the line of duty (Anthem uproar). Although he has the right to protest, sitting during the national anthem is the wrong way to draw attention to a specific cause.

“Civil Disobedience,” by Henry David Thoreau is similar to the point the NFL star Colin Kaepernick is trying to get across. Henry says at the end of his writing The Civil Disobedience “Let Every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it,” he is saying if people will start speaking up they will start to take notice what people is actually saying and wanting. NFL star Colin Kaepernick doing national anthem he will take a knee and not stand because of all the Black African Americans that's getting killed. Not just Black African American, but all the innocent that's getting served no justice. Both had spoke out against the governor and that's how Thoreau and Kaepernick are

Being an American citizen today in the United States of America, one has rights. The constitution, was established to give every state the equal opportunity and the equal chance. No one person, will have more power than the other. In the Constitution, there are twenty-seven Amendments. Freedom is what has built up the nation for many years. The First Amendment states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. (Baltzell, n.d.).” The most important thing taken out of the First Amendment, is the freedom. The freedom to choose, speak, worship or do anything else, one feels is necessary, as long as no law is broken. Colin Kaepernick, a football player, first took a knee, in 2016 during the National Anthem, in his own personal beliefs, and he was not wrong, because he practiced his God given rights.

Colin Kaepernick stated, “So I’m in the position where I can do that and I’m going to do that for people who can’t.” I agree with him. Why? Is because everybody has the right to their own opinion. I mean if we have this position, why not do it? When you know that it’s for a good cause. If I was in his position, I would do the same thing. I wouldn’t regret my actions and wouldn’t be ashamed for what I stand and believe in.

One day in a NFL preseason game Colin Kaepernick decided to take a kneel during the National Anthem and it created a national controversy. Many respected people agree with what he did and I agree too he made a statement for what he believed in. Many athletes before him made these kinds of statements for a cause that they believed in.

Kaepernick’s main goal is to shine light onto an issue in America that most people refuse to look at, or can’t even see. Kaepernick main desire is to bring the good, in which this country stands for, out. Kaepernick also wishes, that police violence, wouldn’t be such an issue. Kaepernick believes that he is the voice for many Americans who have, and are suffering from this horrible treatment. However, many Americans believe that one should not be allowed to protest while they are at work and should only protest on their own time. Kaepernick has said that he couldn’t just turn his back on the people that need his help, and need this issue to be recognized. Many Americans believe that he is shaming the United States of America because he isn’t showing loyalty to the flag by his unwillingness to stand for the national anthem. In this same thought process, people believe that Kaepernick is also disrespecting the men and women who give the ultimate sacrifice to this country, even though veterans have said that they fight for Kaepernick’s right to use his first amendment right in speaking how he truly feels about the situation this country is in.

Before Colin Kaepernick’s season opener game against the Los Angeles Rams while Jordan Smith was singing the National Anthem Colin decided it was his time to make a difference and instead of standing Colin got on his knee and kneeled for the rest of the Anthem.

Due to his level of the profession, one would not disregard or under mind his ideas. In his protest, Kaepernick portrayed his freedom of speech by sitting down during a traditional team picture that is taken before a preseason game, and that itself brought out a lot of political concerns in regards to

In the Time Magazine article titled “Colin Kaepernick Had No Choice but to Kneel” it goes over why Kaepernick kneeling for the national anthem is not unpatriotic. The article argues the very opposite that if Kaepernick would continue to stand despite having the views he has would be unpatriotic. Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem is seen as a way to protest that is more newsworthy than a tweet or a locker room interview, because people will notice it. Kaepernick is showing his patriotism by trying to protest in order to help America change, which he believes can happen. The author sees Kaepernick’s protest a peaceful protest on civil rights and to farther the progression in America on civil rights.