Colin Kaepernick Just Wants America To Be Better
Colin Kaepernick, Quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers football team, remained seated during America’s National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner. He later explained that he did so to protest the oppression of people of color in the United States.
The White House responded on Monday, Aug 29:
“We surely acknowledge and even defend his right to express those views,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said. “Even as objectionable as we find his perspective, he certainly is entitled to express them.” Source
Every American is granted the right to critique the nation that granted that right. It is only disrespectful if America is afraid of the truth – which she is not. America welcomes all criticisms and praises, in order to be a better version of herself.
Being “insulted” and feeling “disrespected” is the sign of a Dictatorship and a Monarchy. America is neither. Therefore, she will continue to accept criticisms with grace and humility. Either America accepts Colin Kaepernick’s “sit-in” as a learning moment or she’s not worthy of being called great.
As Craig Calcaterra wrote in his article for NBCSports.com, titled: Jackie Robinson: “I cannot stand and sing the anthem. I cannot salute the flag”
“It’s worth asking yourself, if you take issue, whether you take issue with the message or the messenger and why. Such inquiries might complicate one’s feelings on the matter, but they’re quite illuminative as well.”
After the Wall Street banking collapse of 2008, the 99%-ers spent 2 months screamed for accountability and transparency during the Occupy Wall Street protests. And Colin Kaepernick gets demonized for wanting accountability and transparency from Main Street?
Colin Kaepernick just wants America to be better. Don’t you?
