Colin Kaepernick.. Sitting During the Anthem.. O.K or Not?

I have zero issue with how he feels, or the fact that he wants to stand up and voice (or show) his disapproval. I think his choice of venue is poor.

I think this is very different from FB slactivism. He is actually doing something by sitting.

The thing is, it doesn't make a bit of difference if a black man was adopted by white people. Doesn't matter if his black teammates think he's black enough. Doesn't matter how much privilege he enjoys in his day to day life. When you get pulled over, you're as black as any other black person. Professors, businessmen, professional athletes, elected officials, doctors, all of them get pulled over and are often mistreated by police. This poor guy was stopped 258 and charged with trespassing at his own fucking job. So. I think he DID think it through and I think he has every right to be upset about what he's upset about. 

I just take it as a little hypocritical. I don't believe he really understands the plight of the everyday oppressed man (nor do I), so I see it as a little silly. Not that you can't speak on behalf of others (you should) but to amount himself to those truly oppressed is out of touch.

This makes no sense to me. Sorry, oppressed people of the world, people in privileged positions can't truly understand your plight, so despite having access to human and financial capital and the platform to speak out, they're just going to keep their mouths shut and let the status quo be. But go on and fix everything for yourselves!

I am a child of the 60's and served my country during the Vietnam war. ( non combat because women were not allowed in combat zones). I remember the '68 Olympics. I remember the Penn State riots. I remember the civil rights protests.. I can not speak as to if significant changes have been made in the civil rights cases. I am not a person of color. I can not relate.

However, I do appreciate people having the right to disagree. I appreciate the actions of Elizabeth Cady Smith and Susan B Anthony. I also wish we had more radicals right now in the woman's movement. During the time of Martin Luther King, there were so many women expressing their anger over how women are marginalized in the USA. Women, on average, still make $.70 on the dollar to men.

OK, I may be self serving at this point but this 66 year old woman still wants to have the right to burn my bra ( shudder) and protest in a non violent way.  

I think what bothers me the most about it is that if every person who was aggrieved about something happening in our country sat during the National Anthem, very few would be standing. Our country is not perfect and we have lots of work to improve life for the poor and needy. Fostering a new division is not a healthy way to approach what are serious and complicated issues.

My second biggest complaint is that I don't believe the NFL is consistent on this issue. There is no rule that compels an athlete to stand during the National Anthem but there are dozens of pages of how free speech is restricted on their uniforms. The Dallas Cowboys were forbidden from putting a unity decal on their helmets to show their solidarity with the five slain police officers in the city. I think the NFL would be wise to tread carefully or a large percentage of their fan base could decide they're unwilling to spend big bucks for NFL gear or games.

First I think the 49ers made a stupid mistake of trading Alex Smith and keeping Colin Kaepernick.  Since the trade Kaepernick has done nothing on the field or off the field to make me think the 49ers made the right choice in keeping Kaepernick over Smith.

Second yesterday on FB I read comments that it was absoulately disgraceful to show disrespect to the National Anthem which is another way of showing disrespect to the men and women who served to protect this country.   Sorry the way I see it it's the very reason these folks have served to protect this country so people can sit down during the National Anthem or burn the flag.  That is what free speech is all about.

Third there is no question there is still a race problem in this country and there are plenty of black athletics if they had stayed seated during the National Anthem I would agree with their actions.   But not Kaepernick.  I think he pulled a stunt.  Ever since things have not been going his way he has come across as a pouting little boy.  I think the reason he stayed seated during the National Anthem had more to do with his pouting then a protest against how blacks are treated in this country.  When people noticed and the furor started I suspect someone "gave" Kaepernick a reason for his actions and he is now riding it for all its worth.  It puts him back in the limelight. 

   

He does... here is one example
www.49ers.com/news/article-2/Colin-Kaepernick-Continues-Charitable-Work-for-Camp-Taylor/d6b5e354-7990-4d0a-9387-f969245f44e9

I read a list of the charities he supports and it is long and varied.

I think his protest has been extremely effective. He has brought a lot of attention to his cause.  If you or I protested this way it would not be as effective he used his celebrity to make a point, one that will cost him financially.  

I know that we have a lot of racist founding fathers, I did not know about Francis Scott Key, I appreciate the opportunity to be educated.


www.theroot.com/articles/history/2016/07/star-spangled-bigotry-the-hidden-racist-history-of-the-national-anthem/

How can it be meaningless when so many are spending so much time discussing it?  I think his choice to not stand has helped to raise the issues facing the people of color in our country further into the spotlight.  This middle-aged white lady applauds him!

Which is why this protest was so effective.

It has international press coverage. 

The  charity work he does, does not get this kind of coverage.  

Nothing...he's doing nothing...

Kaepernick probably shouldn't provide any more money or support to those kids with heart defects. He can't understand their plight, so shouldn't be involved. They should help themselves.

I don't give a shit if someone sits or stands. Doesn't affect me. My God, we have so many bigger things as a country to worry about. What a ridiculous distraction.