Storyline: Are there problems with race? Is there a disconnect between law enforcement and some communities around the country? Of course. But Colin Kaepernick shouldn’t have used the forum of a football game to say what he said.
I’m a freelance sports writer, writing without compensation, doing it just for the love of penning my opinion because sports is a great escape from everyday life.
There are so many positive things to opine about, like the recent Olympics in Brazil with the United States gymnastics team winning gold and Michael Phelps ending his storied career with more record-setting races. Then there’s the Little League team from Endwell, NY taking the world championship over South Korea.
Courtesy: ESPN
Great things are happening to great people. But, unfortunately, I’m writing this article about the recent actions of San Francisco QB Colin Kaepernick and his decision not to stand during the national anthem.
My fifteen-year-old son, who’s just getting into watching games with his old man–and who was a big Kaepernick fan during his Super Bowl run a few years ago–asked me why he would do what he did this past weekend.
It wasn’t something I really wanted to discuss. Sports are a respite for the arduous workweek and something I truly enjoy watching with and without my children. But the Kaepernick matter is a perplexing situation, though, one that needs to be addressed.
The United States is the greatest country in the world. There’s no question about that. Countless immigrants want to come and live here–to attain a better quality of life for themselves and their families. Kaepernick, with all his millions and the God-given gift to throw a football, chose to sit down when it came to honoring the country that gave him the chance to succeed.
I would give my right and left arms to be able to provide for my family like that — something that he may not truly understand. But he has the right to speak his mind. After all, this is America. Our Founding Fathers fought for the right to stand up and talk about grievances. We get it.
But Kaerpernick put his teammates and the NFL in a precarious situation. The 49ers and the League have not condemned his actions, but there are many Americans who are angry at what they feel is a slight to the heroic men and women, of all colors, who have fought in wars, to allow everyone to say what’s on their mind.
The issue with Kaepernick is that he chose the wrong venue to display his anger with what he feels is a slight to the African American community in America.
I’m not one to share personal information with the general public, but in this case, I feel the need. I have four children – two biological – two adopted. The adopted daughter, born in Kansas, is African-American. The adopted son was born in China, an orphan for nine years, and had a horrible upbringing where food was a privilege. They’re both healthy and happy children, and are as part of our family as if they were with us from birth.
Courtesy: jimrome.com
Kaepernick must have forgotten where he came from. He basically has given the middle finger to his adopted parents, both of whom are white.
Yes, it’s true that there is a discernible difference between some folks who live in suburbia and those who are from our urban centers. Opportunities are not the same. However, as I previously stated, everyone has the chance to make a better life for themselves.
There are so many stories of folks, despite where they were raised or their social status in society, who have been leaders in industry. It has nothing to do with the color of their skin.
Are there problems with race? Of course.
Is there a disconnect between law enforcement and some communities around the country? Of course.
Should there be a greater effort to get at the root of the problem? Of course.
However, Kaepernick shouldn’t have used the forum of a football game to say what he said.
My son and myself were big fans of Kaerpernick. His story resonated with us – being a mixed-race adoptee by two loving parents. But what he has done is inflame the vitriol among all of us. With the anniversary of 9-11 coming up, I’m not sure it was done with much thought in mind, especially for those who died and sacrificed their lives so that we could be happy and safe.
Courtesy: CS Monitor
It’s a Catch-22. Free speech is a right of all citizens in the US.–one that we shouldn’t be taken for granted. But Kaepernick took an issue that he felt strongly about and, then, slighted his upbringing, his teammates, and those who are the true heroes – our veterans and first responders.
He’s lucky that, only in America, can a backup quarterback making $11M deliver a message that’s wrong and deliver it at the wrong time.
First of all, let me take a minute to catch my breath. You see, I’ve been watching the ESPN’s, CNN’s, Eyewitness News, etc. Unlike yourself, I don’t write about sports because it’s a hobby. I write about sports because it’s my life! In your article you talk about the plights of “African-Americans” in this country as well as the racial divides that still exist. How would you know about ANY of those things?! Have you ever experienced racial profiling or Police brutality? Similar to you, I don’t usually speak about my personal life but I’m going to make an exception for you. I’m not an African American, I’m a BLACK MAN! I also live in Bergen County, NJ. You can’t even begin to imagine what a man with my color skin goes through on a daily basis. For you and others who keep spewing this crap about the Military, give it a rest! Kaepernick never once mentioned the Armed Forces. Except when he mentioned his friends and family members who serve and the respect he has for them. The social injustices that he’s spoken about are real! It seems like the majority of individuals who feel he’s disrespecting the Military are mostly white! You guys talk about the freedoms of this country yet when an individual is exercising those rights and freedoms, he’s met with resistance and negative gossip! I too am a father of 2 black boys. I want them to feel the same way Colin Kaerpernick feels because they should feel that way. Even if they live in suburban New Jersey, I would never want them to silence themselves about racial injustices that may impact future generations. Instead of condemning Kaepernick for standing up for what’s right, listen to what he has to say without throwing the Military into the mix. It may change your outlook.