Kaepernick VS Racial Injustice

By: Ana Simental    Feb 5, 2018

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Kneeling during the anthem. Now by this point, I am sure you have heard through the grapevine about this controversial topic, and if you have heard nothing, here is everything you should know about it (in as much of a non-biased way I can muster). The whole ordeal began during the start of the 2016 NFL season, when the former 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, was caught sitting on the bench during the national anthem. Once a photo was leaked of Kaepernick sitting, many fans and fellow Americans were sickened and demanded an explanation.  Kaepernick soon explained: he was sitting to make a stand against racial injustice and police violence against his fellow African Americans. “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” is what Kaepernick said during his review. Kaepernick soon got so much backlash on the matter, (with people saying he was disrespecting the military), he began kneeling to show he did in fact respect the military, but not America's actions.  

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Only a year later, Kaepernick's

actions took on a life of its own.

Soon other players across the

nation joined the movement; and

not just NFL players, but also

high school and college athletes.

During March of 2017, Kaepernick

opted out of his contract with the

49er’s, intending to become a free

agent. Though Kaepernick was no

longer there, he continued to be a

symbol on the field. Also, within the course of the new year, during

week 3 of the season, the newly nominated president took initiative to share his opinions on the matter, saying all NFL owners needed to fire the “sons of

bitches,” who “disrespected the flag.” The curious thing about that statement is that directly after, there were more kneelers than ever before. A dozen Ravens, thirty-two Denver Broncos, eighteen patriots, six chargers, ten colts, and the list goes on. Also, by week 4, these NFL players continued to kneel. By this point, the kneeling during the anthem got more attention than ever. 

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From all of these events, many other problems have appeared; one being whether or not players should actually be fired, along with how Kaepernick has not yet been hired by anyone since his contract was demolished. This raises the question: would it be best for a mass media like the NFL to not harness any controversial topics? Or should these players still be allowed to exercise our nation's first amendment? Whatever it is, something tells me the movement Kaepernick started doesn't look like it's going anywhere any time soon.