Colin Kaepernick Stands Up By Taking A Knee

Colin Kaepernick, an NFL Quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers decided to take a knee during the national anthem because he does not want to show pride for a country that oppresses people of color. Kaepernick immediately received backlash from people around the country. He responded by saying, "I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed. ... If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right." After all the backlash Kaepernick received, many people got a better understanding on why he decided to protest, and some players from around the league even joined him. Through social media while many people made death threats towards Kaepernick, ironically #istandwithkaepernick was the number one trend on Twitter started by many veterans and people who serve our country. They continued to echo Kaepernick's statements that they serve our country so we can have free rights and if he wants to take a knee that is his right to do so. Personally I respect Colin Kaepernick's protest for many different reasons. First of all he has the right to do so, and I would be contradicting my statement if I said he does not have the right to take a knee for a song that symbolizes "the land of the free". People also need to pay attention to the good that has come out of his protest. Kaepernick's protest has started conversation between police and communities, and he has put his money where his mouth is by donating $1 million dollars as well as 100% of his jersey sales, which became the top selling jersey in the NFL, to charities that aid communities. Whether people agree or disagree with Colin Kaepernick's protest there is no argument that it has caused a lot of good to come out of it and we should appreciate he is doing it peacefully.