By Chidozie Ehirim
Editor
Just over a year ago before an NFL pre-season game, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, elected to sit rather than stand for the national anthem. Within a week, the action gained attention and kickstarted a fiery debate that captured the attention of an entire nation.
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| Colin Kaepernick (center) |
His protest was solemn and respectful. He expounded on his reasons behind the protest explaining, "I'm going to stand with the people that are being oppressed. When there's significant change and I feel that flag represents what it's supposed to represent, and this country is representing people the way that it's supposed to, I'll stand" He added "This stand wasn't for me. This is because I'm seeing things happen to people that don't have a voice, people that don't have a platform to talk and have their voices heard, and effect change. So I'm in the position where I can do that and I'm going to do that for people that can't"
Choice words indeed.
Very soon after these comments, critics as well as supporters were explicit in their reaction. His supporters were pleased that someone in his position had the courage to take a stand. His critics were scathing - they respected his right to protest but were unimpressed by his methods. They also accused him of disrespecting America, the flag and even the military.
In response to this, Kaepernick responded by saying, "I have great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country. They fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice, for everyone."He went on, "People are dying in vain because this country isn't holding their end of the bargain up as far as giving freedom and justice, liberty to everyone. That's something that's not happening."
Context is extremely important at this point because it is imperative we understand the circumstances during the time of the protest. A number of unarmed African Americans had been killed by police. Many of these incidents had been filmed. Despite this, the officers involved had not been held accountable.
It was expected by Kaepernick's critics that his protest was nothing more than a flash in the pan, the childish actions of an entitled athlete - a quarterback on the decline who was desperate for attention.
A year later, however and the protest has taken on a life of it's own. In many ways it has even transcended the man who sparked it.
With the 2017/18 football season about to start, Colin Kaepernick still finds himself without a starting job in the National Football League. For a player who has lead his team to an NFC championship and a place in the Superbowl, he is without doubt a talent. However, many suspect that he has been deliberately blackballed as a result of his protest. Less talented quarterbacks are getting starting jobs - team owners, no doubt are fearful of a backlash from fans of their franchises.
The true impact of Kaepernick's protest is being revealed and over the last 12 months, the debate surrounding the controversy has gathered more and more momentum. It has also lead to a wider debate on the reasons why Kaepernick was protesting - police brutality and lack of accountability.
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| Michael Bennett |
People have become more educated as a result of Kaepernick's actions. For example, the history behind the national anthem itself has been the source of much discussion - the national anthem's author Francis Scott Key who penned the Star Spangled Banner was actually a slave owner.
Also, the third verse of the song is not sung and for good reason. The song, written by Francis Scott Key during The War of 1812 referred to slaves who fought on the side of the British and were promised their freedom if they did so. The verse appears to warn slaves of the fatal consequences for this action. Slaves were mere objects, tools to be used and abused. They were not citizens - "the land of the free" label did not apply to them - perhaps it still does not.
Kaepernick's protest has also seemingly emboldened many members of the wider African American community and has caused them to question their place in modern America against the back drop of social injustice and police brutality.
Prominent NFL stars such as Seattle Seahawk's Michael Bennett and Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch have been outspoken, not only in their condemnation of social injustice but also in their support of Kaepernick.
Both players recently sat during the playing of the national anthem at the start of their own pre-season games.
Remember, 70% of players are black. Whether they realise it or not, they do wield significant power and influence and there is no doubt the NFL are aware of this. With outspoken support for Kaepernick gaining more traction amongst black players, other players may be more emboldened to speak out.
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| Chris Long (left) and Malcolm Jenkins |
However, the makeup of support is changing. White players are also stepping up. Players like Seattle Seahawks Justin Britt and Philadelphia Eagles Chris Long, who supported his team mate Malcolm Jenkins during his own peaceful protest, have also voiced their support.
Long said "I've heard a lot of peaople say you need white athletes to get involved in the anthem protests. I've said before I'll never kneel for an anthem, because the flag means something different for everybody in this county but I support my peers. And if you don't see why you need allies for people that are fighting for equality right now, I don't think you'll ever see it. So my thing is, Malcolm is a leader and I'm here to show support as a white athlete"
The protests have gained wider support from the wider community and from some unexpected places. For example, a large group of serving and retired police officers from New York City recently added their support, pledging to stand with Kaepernick. Also, award winning film director Spike Lee pledged his support by staging a rally outside NFL headquarters.
No one can predict how far and wide the protests will spread but if the current trends are to continue, the protests will gain even more momentum. African Americans are not only galvanised in their support of Kaepernick but with more NFL players, black and white, adding their support, the NFL may well find itself dealing with a juggernaut it might struggle to control.
History has shown that protests can and will be controlled by those who are in power. However, what history has also demonstrated is that protests, when carried out when they are inconvenient and highly organised are harder to stifle.
On December 1st 1955, Rosa Parks was expected to sit at the back of the bus. When she politely refused, it sparked one of the most successful and influential protests of the civil rights movement. It forced change.
Protests are at their most effective when they inconvenience and disrupt the status quo. Protests have the most impact when they help the priviliged, consider those without privilige or those that are mistreated.
Kaepernick has had the courage to put everything he holds dear on the line and in the short term, will lose much. In the grand scheme of things however, money, celebrity and status pale into absolute insignificance when compared with the higher pursuit of fairness and justice.
There is no doubt that Kaepernick's actions will be looked on in years to come as one of the most influential and impactful.
And for good reason.
And for good reason.
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