Color a lot of people surprised this morning as San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a strong stance with the Black community after he refused to stand up for the national anthem. Kaepernick, who’s biracial and was adopted by white parents, said he is “not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color.” Kaep said that he didn’t run his actions by anybody prior to sitting out the national anthem. “I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed.”
Forty Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick has willingly and knowingly immersed himself into controversy by refusing to stand for the playing of the National Anthem in protest of what he deems are wrongdoings against African Americans and minorities in the United States.
His latest refusal to stand for the Anthem — he has done this in at least one other preseason game — came before the 49ers preseason loss to Green Bay at Levi’s Stadium.
“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 against Green Bay. “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.”
The 49ers issued this statement: “The National Anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony. It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.”
By taking a stand for civil rights, Kaepernick, 28, joins other athletes, like the NBA’s Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony and several WNBA players in using their platform and status to raise awareness to issues affecting minorities in the U.S.
What do you think about Colin Kaepernick’s actions?
(Via NFL)
