Kaepernick Protest And The Consequential Fallout

By Sarah Snebold on September 12, 2016

Colin Kaepernick has been flooding the media, with many both in opposition of his actions and support. Personally, I am torn over the issue. I may not fully support his actions; however I can respect it. He is peacefully protesting an issue that has been a hot topic since the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, Missouri. He is exercising his right to free speech, and using his platform given to him as a celebrated athlete.

I understand how sitting or kneeling for the national anthem is disrespectful, but he chose this action intentionally. He knew that this action would be noticed, thus providing him the attention to voice his platform. With his position, I do not see what other action he could have done peacefully to spark as much discussion as this.

By Mike Morbeck [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Again, I do not fully support the action taken, but I do recognize and appreciate the amount of thought put into his discourse. I would much rather see someone doing this than rioting in the streets. We have to remind ourselves that those facing these hardships, feeling as though the police target them, feel helpless and unheard. As a white woman, this is what draws my respect towards Kaepernick’s discourse.

Instead of only analyzing his actions, I would like to include his dialogue, to incorporate a more holistic analysis, something I have noticed many media sources failing to do.

On August 26, after the San Francisco 49ers lost to the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium, Kaepernick explained his actions during an exclusive interview with NFL media:

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color … 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 away with murder.”

In my mind, this was not the best way to announce and support his platform. Saying he is not going to show pride for a flag for a country that is oppressive will rub people the wrong way. This rhetoric will meet an opposition, thus making it more difficult for the people who need to hear the message to properly do so.

Although his discourse in later press conferences is much better, the statement here can easily come across as anti-American, taking away from the issue he is trying to bring light to.

On August 28, Kaepernick discussed his actions again in a media session. Here are a few key statements from the session.

“People don’t realize what’s going on in this country. There are a lot of things that are going on that are unjust. People aren’t being held accountable for. And that’s something that needs to change. That’s something that this country stands for freedom, liberty and justice for all. And it’s not happening for all right now … It’s something that I’ve seen, I’ve felt, wasn’t quite sure how to deal with originally. And it is something that’s evolved. It’s something that as I’ve gained more knowledge about, what’s gone in this country in the past, what’s going on currently … I have great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country. I have family, I have friends that have gone and fought for this country. And they fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice, for all. That’s not happening … This stand wasn’t for me. This stand wasn’t because I feel like I’m being put down in any kind of way. This is because I’m seeing things happen to people that don’t have a voice, people that don’t have a platform to talk and have their voices heard, and effect change. So I’m in the position where I can do that and I’m going to do that for people who can’t.”

He spoke about the support he has received, saying that it signifies he knows what he is doing is right, and that he knows other people sees what he is doing as right.

“It’s something that we have to come together. We have to unite. We have to unify and make a change.”

He also commented that he does not know if he would be cut by the 49ers over the situation, but if so, he would know that he did what was right and could “live with that at the end of the day.”

See the entire transcript of the media session here.

A key idea to take away from this media session is what he feels is going on in this country. He has taken to time to understand his perspective and why he feels this way, then has taken these actions deliberately to draw attention to the cause and create a voice for those he feels do not have the opportunity.

He is not intentionally disgracing the military, although, on September 1, in the fourth preseason game against the Chargers, who hosted Salute to Military, Kaepernick still kneeled alongside teammate Eric Ried, during the anthem. With the 240 military members on field being honored, this action could easily be seen as disgracing the military. So, maybe Kaepernick isn’t thinking through his actions as much as I would hope.

This night was very interesting for another reason; Kaepernick invited former Green Beret, Nate Boyer, to join him on the sideline. Kaepernick kneels next to Nate Boyer during the national anthem at the 49ers preseason game versus the San Diego Chargers.

Earlier this week, Boyer wrote a very moving and respectful letter to Kaepernick that went viral. Here are some statements made by Boyer,

“I’m a big fan. I’ve been pulling for you ever since I first saw you play in the 2012 preseason … I proudly wore the red and gold for an afternoon when I had a tryout with the 49ers last spring. I ultimately ended up in training camp with the Seattle Seahawks, but I’ll never forge the one day I got to be a 49er … I also know you support the military – ‘God Bless Our Troops’ is written on the football that you and former 49er teammate Colt McCoy signed for one of the charities I work with … Unfortunately, I also know that racism still exists in our country, as it does in every other country on this planet, and I hate that I know that. I hate the third verse of our national anthem, but thankfully we don’t sing that verse anymore. I hate that at times I feel guilty for being white.”

His next two paragraphs I feel are worth stating, to bring in the perspective of Boyer and to respect and admire how open he is to the issues of our country, as previously stated, but why he feels compelled to still sacrifice his life for our country.

“In 2004, I witnessed genocide firsthand in the Darfur region of Sudan. The fact that hate and oppression still exist at that level in our world really hurts me. I met countless young Africans who were enamored with America and the opportunities that exist here. Those people would have given anything to experience what I had grown up with, even just for one day. I joined the Army upon returning the U.S. because I believe people like that were worth fighting for. De Opresso Liber (“To Free the Oppressed”) is the Army Special Forces motto, and the reason I wanted to become a Green Beret. I didn’t enlist to fight for what we already have here; I did it because I wanted to fight for what those people didn’t have there: Freedom.”

He goes on to explain the pride he felt in carrying the American flag during his NFL preseason game against the Denver Broncos. He respects Kaepernick’s actions, stating:

“I’m not judging you for standing up for what you believe in. It’s your inalienable right. What you are doing takes a lot of courage, and I’d be lying if I said I knew what it was like to walk around in your shoes. I’ve never had to deal with prejudice because of the color of my skin, and for me to say I can relate to what you’ve gone through is as ignorant as someone who’s never been in a combat zone telling me they understand what it’s like to go to war.”

He ends on a note that I feel all Americans, and all people need to hear and remember, especially with the events occurring in today’s world

“There are already plenty of people fighting fire with fire, and it’s not helping anyone or anything. So I’m just going to keep listening, with an open mind. I look forward to the day you’re inspired to once again stand during our national anthem. I’ll be standing right there next to you. Keep on trying … De Opresso Liber.”

See the transcript of the letter here.

Nate Boyer’s words are ones I upmost admire and appreciate. He recognizes his position in life, and that he was born to face lesser problems than others, due to race and location. He is respecting the actions of Kaepernick, while others scream with hatred or judgment. He is deliberately listening with an open mind, knowing full well the issues and complications of fighting fire with fire.

pexels.com

But, not everyone is responding in the manner of Boyer. The executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations was outraged by Kaepernick’s action of wearing socks depicting the police as pigs during practice.

Bill Johnson slammed Kaepernick in his issues statement for “dishonoring” police officers and commented on the issue to USA Today.

“It’s just ridiculous that the same league that prohibits the Dallas (Cowboys) football club from honoring the slain officers in their community with their uniforms stands silent when Kaepernick is dishonoring police officers with what he’s wearing on the field … I think the league is in a downward spiral regarding their obligations to the public under (Commissioner) Roger Goodell and this is just another example of that.”

Proceeding this, the San Francisco Police Officers Association issued a statement to the NFL:

“While we certainly acknowledge Mr. Kaepernick’s first amendment right to remain seated during the National Anthem, as inappropriate as that may be, we will not stand by while he attacks police officers in this country with statements such as, ‘People are on paid leave while people of color are killed.’… In short, Mr. Kaepernick has embarrassed himself, the 49er organization, and the NFL based on a false narrative and misinformation that lacks any factual basis … As a gesture to build communication and understanding about the law enforcement profession, the SFPOA extends an open invitation to Mr. Kaepernick and to any player or employee from the National Football League to visit the SFPD Academy and partake in any of the simulations that recruits participate in during their training. This will hopefully expose them to a very small fraction of what officers experience daily on the streets of our city. Until then we hope your organizations choose to do the right thing and at least apologize to the many police officers Mr. Kaepernick has disrespected for no apparent reason.”

 See the full transcript of the letter here.

Kaepernick, in efforts to soften his stance and the anger produced by his protest, or at least appears to be in consequence, he announced to the media after the Charger’s game that:

“Yes, I am planning to take it a step further. I’m currently working with organizations to be involved, and making sure I’m actively in these communities, as well as donating the first million dollars I make this year to different organizations to help these communities and help these people.”

Let us not forget, amid all this controversy he is still a football player. Although he has previously been celebrated by his successes, this season may tell a different tale. On September 3, the 49ers released their 53-man lineup. Although Kaepernick makes the roster, he is listed as the number 2 quarterback, behind Blaine Gabbert for the Week 1 game against the Rams. Kaepernick may need to focus a little more on his career, after his meager pre-season performances.

I am sure more will unfold with the Kaepernick protest and its consequences. However, I ask all of us to proceed in this controversy with a mind similar to Boyer. May we all seek to understand and hear others with an open mind, and extinguish the fire instead of fighting it with an equivalent.

This goes for you too, Mr. Kaepernick.

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