Kaepernick's Last Stand
And he decided to sit down.
Friday night's preseason game against the Green Bay Packers was an important moment for Colin Kaepernick. It was his first and probably last chance to make a statement that he should be the starting QB for the 49ers in 2016. Instead, he played awful, showed no glimpses of returning to greatness and wound up causing a ton of controversy by choosing to make a statement, a political one.
During the national anthem, Kaepernick decided to silently protest the oppression of African-Americans and other minorities by sitting down during the national anthem. After the game he was asked why he chose to sit during the anthem and he stated, "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color".
Let me first say that if you've read any of my previous articles, you know that I'm an ardent Kaepernick supporter. But after this latest incident, even his biggest fans have to be questioning whether this may be the end of Kaepernick as a star in the NFL. You see, I support Colin and believe that his intentions and point of view are important and valid. The problem is not with his point of view or his freedom to express it, but with the execution of his message. Similar to how his QB play has been of late, he suffered not from a lack of talent, but from poor execution and decision making. The fact of the matter is, by choosing to sit during the anthem, he disrespected his country. He disrespected all of the people who came before him, all of the people who fought and still fight for our freedoms, all of the people who made and still make this country the best on earth. He disrespected all of the people that made sacrifices so he could play a game for a living, so he could carry an oblong shaped leather ball 80 yards down the field into the end zone and kiss his bicep to the adulation of millions of fans. None of that would be possible if it wasn't for the great people of this country that laid the foundation for success. Even if you disagree with some aspects of this country, you still have to honor the greatness that it does provide.
Now he has a point. America is not perfect. It has many flaws. One of which is the historical mistreatment and injustice towards African-Americans and other minorities. There is no doubt that oppression, racism, police brutality, corruption and injustice continue to exist in this country and need to be eliminated. Kaepernick should stand up against these terrible forms of injustice and use his platform to speak up against them. The problem is that he chose to speak up in the wrong way at the wrong time.
The problem with sitting down during the anthem is that millions of Americans feel disrespected by that type of action. And by disrespecting the very people that you're trying to send your message to, it not only falls on deaf ears, but it infuriates them. The power of his message and his point of view are completely diluted because of the disrespectful nature in which it was delivered. Yes, awareness is important when trying to change people's minds, but disrespectful awareness will not change minds, it will only solidify them.
Kaepernick did clarify that he did not intend to disrespect the military or soldiers who fight for this country, but he should have thought about that before he sat down, because that's exactly who you disrespect when you don't honor your country's flag.
There were many ways that Kaepernick could have made his point that would have been beneficial to his cause. He could have donated money to organizations that support equality. He could have started a foundation to fight against injustice. He could get together with other African-American leaders and athletes and hold discussions that help change people's minds with understanding and awareness. He could speak out against police brutality after the game during his press conference. Instead he chose to do something controversial in order to spark discussion. The problem with that idea, is that it doesn't do any good, it doesn't advance his cause, it only brings unnecessary vitriol towards him.
Not only were there other ways to make his point impactful and bring change, but there was also a better time for Kaepernick to speak out against oppression. You know, when he was the starting QB. When he was one of the best in the NFL, leading his team to the Super Bowl. When he actually had millions of fans supporting him. But now that his play has diminished and the fan base has turned against him, his message no longer carries the same weight. Now it's easier for people to dismiss him. His political capital is gone. Now if Russell Wilson, who is beloved by many more did the very same thing, it would not have come with the same vitriol. While it would still be wrong, like it or not, more people would have defended him and potentially would have been more receptive to his point of view.
The problem with Colin Kaepernick is that he doesn't understand any of this. He thinks that he is doing good by bringing awareness to the problem. But many people have already brought awareness to this issue. Many Americans are well aware of the problem and are doing productive things to bring about change. Instead, people simply see this as an act of disrespect. He will now forever be known as the guy who disrespected America. Some people will write-off whatever else he does because of it and will never support him ever again. Is it fair? Probably not, but that's how people react. That's how people are, and this act isn't the way to change them.
As far as football goes, some reporters, like Jay Glazer and Matt Maiocco are saying that the 49ers will jettison Kaepernick. Maybe even before the season starts. First of all, that's completely ridiculous. Kaepernick's salary is guaranteed for 2016. The Niners are already paying someone millions of dollars who isn't even in the building, Jim Tomsula, they aren't going to do the same with Kaepernick. The one possibility would be to trade Kaepernick, maybe to the Cowboys, but let's be honest Kaepernick's message is much more likely to be received in San Francisco than in the heart of Texas. He isn't going to the Cowboys. The Niners are going to let this season play out and if Kaepernick doesn't play well, he'll be gone. If he does, then he'll be the QB. He just won't have as many fans this time around. He's now going to have to stand on his own.
