Colin Kaepernick's Mistake

The past few years have been very difficult for every black person living in the United States. Disastrous things have been happening, from Trayvon Martin to Sandra Bland. It seems like we cannot go one day without hearing another tragedy within the black community appear on the news. The fight to end racial inequality seems everlasting, many people are tired of it, and not just average black citizens, even the celebrities. Many African American stars are too scared of the media’s reaction to voice their opinions. However, Colin Kaepernick, quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, is one of the few African American celebrities who did not hold back what was on their mind. Before the start of a meaningless NFL preseason game in 2016, Colin Kaepernick decided to sit down during the national anthem in protest of all the things black people have been going through. Protesting the oppression of black people is an amazing thing. …show more content…
When asked after the game about why he sat, Kaepernick responded by saying, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black going to stand up and 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 paid leave and getting away with murder." The people that Kaepernick is referring to are police. Colin Kaepernick is correct in saying that black people are oppressed and that the police are getting away with murder. Freddie Gray, Eric Garner, and Sandra Bland are amongst the many black people who have died by the hands of law enforcement. The punishments for these blatant murders have been paid leave and