Backlash from Kaepernick sitting during National Anthem
Former star quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a stance during the San Francisco 49ers preseason only to see it wall on deaf ears. In all of the preseason games, Kaepernick has not stood during the national anthem. Instead, Kaepernick was found sitting on the bench between two Gatorade jugs. He claims he will remain sitting during the national anthem as a means to unite with Americans who are being racially oppressed in society. While such a stance could simply run Kaepernick out of San Francisco, the football field isn’t the forum to continuously divide our nation.
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At a time when our nation is facing backlash due to racial and civil unrest, Kaepernick’s disenchantment is rather elementary. Foremost, he is an athlete paid millions of dollars to play a sport, which is barely watched let alone understood outside of America. According to mostpopularsports.net, the NFL ranks ninth behind nomadic games including cricket, field hockey and table tennis. As an NFL player, Kaepernick lives a privileged life earning in the upper-echelon of the tax bracket. If he wanted this kind of lifestyle outside the United States, it would not happen. So, part of playing in the NFL includes standing and saluting the flag during the national anthem.
Of course Kaepernick is entitled to his opinion and respecting his perspective is understandable. Kaepernick, who is black, was raised by white parents. He cites an incident during his college days when a few white roommates had moved out and the remaining students in the place were all black, and an encounter with the police ended with guns being drawn on them. He is protected by the First Amendment to have such overtures. However, there are better ways to express them, all of which can be more effective, especially since Kaepernick is hoping for change.
If Kaepernick feels so strongly about the racial divide and injustice, he should simply look at the league. Ray Rice, who is black, was initially suspended two games. After public dismay to what was deemed a simple slap on the wrist, Goodell openly (and childishly) apologized saying he “got it wrong” and suspended Rice longer. Rice has yet to play in the NFL since the suspension two years ago. Under the new collective bargain agreed upon both unions including the players and owners, commissioner Roger Goodell implemented a mandatory six-game suspension for first-time domestic violence offenders. Just two days ago, the NFL slapped New York Giants kicker Josh Brown, who is white, with a one-game suspension stemming from a 2015 domestic violence arrest. Why the difference in suspensions for both players is confusing, considering the minimum is six games. But it is troubling and noteworthy that a black NFL player was suspended longer than a white NFL player for domestic violence arrests.
If Kaepernick wants change on American social issues, perhaps he first needs to say something about his own employer, the NFL. But disrespecting the American flag, at a crucial time in our history when we need to be together, is odd, unneeded and unnecessary. He could have handled this more professionally.
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