BLOG: The Colin Kaepernick Saga
Written by Rahni Alarcon
According to most American media and bystanders, Colin Kaepernick is unpatriotic. Despite sacrificing his body in the Gridiron purely for America’s entertainment. He is being spoken of negatively by peers and fans,dealing with the possibilities of losing endorsements, and being blacklisted.Never mind the rights,freedom of speech is supposed to protect. He’s being labeled as anti-American.
Kaepernick, a 49ers quarterback, has been making a statement and news headlines for sitting during the singing of The National Anthem. “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game. “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.”
Colin made a decision to sit during a celebratory song, while others won’t stand up against police brutality and other forces that adversely affect and end human lives.Kaepernick, who is of Caucasian and African-American heritage,has a great vantage point from his seat. As an American of a mixed heritage and an adoptee, he is able to see a multi-faceted view of life. Additionally, the third verse of the song (usually not sung & scarcely known) is proslavery.
It states, “No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave, And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
Again, I ask, are these lyrics something to celebrate? The vices of captivity in those lyrics still echo the climate of brutality and injustice of present day . African-Americans will NEVER get reparations.For 400 years the blood, sweat, and tears of slaves fertilized,nurtured, and built America. Yet, their descendants have been rewarded with a narrative that continues to perpetuate superiority. At the very least,freedom of speech should be free.