The Kaepernick Conundrum

Colin Kaepernick, current backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, created a bit of a media maelstrom two weeks ago, when he sat on the bench during the playing of the National Anthem. In fact, Kaepernick had done this the two previous weeks, yet wasn’t noticed because he was inactive, and in street clothes, rather than full uniform. Last weekend, prior to the fourth preseason game, Kaepernick met with Nate Boyer, a former Green Beret, and signed to the Seattle Seahawks last year for training camp. After their discussion, Kaepernick modified his form of protest, changing from sitting, to taking a knee.

Kaepernick is taking a knee during the National Anthem in protest of the ongoing issue state oppression against minorities. From NFL.com:

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

You may disagree. You probably do. Most of my friends who I know read and follow this site are against Kaepernick’s stance. I respect those of you who disagree.

But there’s a few things that should be straightened out:

1) Taking a knee during the National Anthem is not disrespectful. It’s not insulting, it’s not unpatriotic, it’s not inherently wrong. In and of itself, taking a knee is reverent, in fact, more respectful.

2) There is an issue of state oppression and brutality towards minorities and people of color in the United States. We can disagree on how large of an issue it is, but it is impossible to argue that it does not exist in any form.

3) Colin Kaepernick is not un-American, or unpatriotic. During the final preseason game in San Diego, the Chargers honored local military with free tickets, acknowledgements throughout the game of their service, including a rendition of ‘God Bless America’. Kaepernick was applauding the military throughout the game, including standing for the performance of ‘God Bless America’.

4) It is not simply ‘police brutality’ that Kaepernick and other NFL players are protesting. Veterans issues, including untreated PTSD, slow VA care, and high suicide rates are a plank of Kaepernick’s protest.

…”he mentioned 22 military vets a day commit suicide, but this country will let those vets go and fight the war for them, but when they come back, they won’t do anything to try to help them. That’s another issue. And these issues need to be addressed.”

5) Kaepernick is not wrong. He’s not wrong to protest, not wrong to lead and encourage other players to follow. In fact, on Sunday, dozens of players from across the league, including the 49ers opponents on Monday night, joined in some sort of protest, whether it be taking a knee, raising a fist, linking arms in solidarity, etc. This is an issue that matters to those taking part in a high-profile, highly publicized manner. Again, while you may disagree with that size of the issue, it does exist.

6) He’s putting his money where his mouth is. $1 million donated to organizations, charities and veterans groups around the country. In fact, the San Francisco 49ers are matching that donation through their non-profit arm. In a world where we hold politicians, celebrities and sports figures to higher standards, it’s hard to argue that making a show of protest is one thing, but donating and giving money is taking action.

I realize that there is next to zero chance that I’m going to change anyone’s opinion on this. But day after day, my Facebook feed has blurbs on Kaepernick, or the Anthem, or other NFL players joining in protest, all largely negative. But here’s the thing, in the never-ending world of Facebook activism, i.e., posting a status/meme/opinion, but taking no concrete action beyond that, it’s hard to argue with what Kaepernick and other NFL players are doing. They’re doing something. You may disagree with the methods, you may disagree with the ends, you may disagree with everything that they’re standing for.

But this silent protest has evolved into something very real. I disagreed with Colin Kaepernick sitting for the National Anthem. I didn’t care very much, it didn’t really move the needle for me, but I got the argument why people were against it, the same way I got why he felt the need to make the same protest. And after meeting and talking with veterans, and taking particular care to show respect for the military and veterans who have fought for that same flag, the kneeling protest is a respectful, reverent symbol that both upholds the values and principles behind the protest along with the balance of respect for the military.

We have a very real problem of state oppression in this country, a problem that few among us experience. We’re privileged in this way, we work and operate in a system that has inherent advantages for many of us. For someone in a high profile position to raise awareness, attention and most importantly, publicity, to a problem that they and their friends, families and teammates experience? I can’t really disagree with that.

But of course, there’s always ‘he has a right to protest, and I have a right to protest his protest!’ You’re right. You do. But I would hope that while you may disagree with the method, you may research or acknowledge that there are issues in the United States that need attention, and a spotlight.