The Colin Kaepernick "Sit-U-Nation"

Colin Kaepernick has been coming under fire for his actions, but why so much hate? 

We have all heard about the controversy that is surrounding Colin Kaepernick. During the third preseason game for the San Francisco 49ers, Kaepernick was photographed and viewed sitting on the bench during the national anthem before the game. After the game, Kaepernick was asked about why he did not stand for the national anthem. By now, I do not think I need to repeat what he had said because it has traveled all over the Internet. Basically summed up, he decided not to stand as a way of protesting the treatment and actions that have been occurring in increased numbers in this country over the last three years. And because I have received a number of questions about where I stand on this situation and what my thoughts are about his actions, I thought it was time that I just make a brief  go about all of this.

Ultimately, I'm someone who is in that 50-50 category of the situation. One the one hand, I do feel that there is a serious problem in this country with how other races outside of whites are treated and looked upon by others. So for that, I can totally understand and support where he is coming from with wanting to bring more attention to a situation that we need to try and find a solution to immediately. However, I am one who believes that Sports and State should be separate like it is with Church and State. To me, sports a game and should remain that way. I understand that to them it is a job, but in the end, it is just a game. I will never be able to stress enough how much I understand what he trying to stand up for and support what he is trying to protest and believe that athletes should be allowed to speak out against what is happening in this country. I just think that it could have been done off the field. And also, it should have been about how all lives matter because all people deserve the right to live their lives.

1968 Mexico City Olympics

Kaepernick is not the first to be under fire for something like this. During the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, 200m gold medalist Tommie Smith and bronze medalist John Carlos of the United States made history by standing on the podium with their hands in a fist, each with a black glove on, all while the national anthem played in order to show support for the Black Freedom Movement of the 1960s. Even silver medalist Peter Norman of Australia wore a Olympic Project for Human Rights badge in support of their cause. All three men were bashed by their countries and told that they had shamed themselves for disrespecting their respective countries for what they did. To myself and others though, all three of these men are true heroes for taking their message to the global stage during a time when racial tension and outrage was at an outrageous peak.

But regardless, we have to move passed whether or not Colin Kaepernick stood up or sat down and put the focus on the message that he was trying to sent about trying to stop the senseless killing. I am tired watching news channels on television, watching videos, and reading articles on the Internet and in the newspapers where all the comments and the write-ups are just complaining and/or talking about whether or not he should have been standing. It's one of those situation where I ask, "Who cares what he did or did not do, did you even get the message that he was trying to send?" and that's what I see as a big problem with this country.

I love my soldiers and military for fighting for my freedom and rights in this country. My father and grandfather both served. As one military member once told me, "I fought for this country because I love it so and want to see all of it's people have the ability to say and do as they please." which is exactly what I can get behind. Not to mention that there has been a huge amount of support for Kaepernick from many military personnel around the country. Outside of it, I remember being in middle school and deciding not to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance when it was becoming a big deal about if the words "Under God" should be in there or if you should be forced to do so. The whole country almost lost their minds over whether kids stood or not. Some said it should be mandatory. My school said it was our (the students) choice.

At the end of all of this talk about this story, what I would love is for this story to be the last that is said on this topic so that we can move forward and focus on the issue that Kaepernick was protesting for instead of talking about whatever he did or did not due.