San Francisco 49’s player, Colin Kaepernick, recently made a statement saying he believes the American flag is no more than a piece of cloth.
The Daily Caller reports:
At the end of the day the flag is just a piece of cloth and I am not going to value a piece of cloth over people’s lives. That’s just not something I can do, it’s not something I feel morally right doing and my character won’t allow me to do that,” Kaepernick told reporters in response to criticism from Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, according to the Star.
His statement came in response to the criticisms made by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
The Justice feels the protests have been taken too far, and that Kaepernick should be removed from the league.
Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during preseason NFL games to gain awareness to an issue he feels strongly about – black oppression.
Breitbart News reports:
Kaepernick started kneeling during the national anthem in the preseason because he refused “to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.”
While many have joined his trend in kneeling for the national anthem, many others have offered a large amount of criticism against the act.
While the act of kneeling during the national anthem is unpatriotic, some argue it is his right to kneel as a form of freedom of speech.
This time however, disrespecting the flag – a flag our citizens have fought for and that represents Kaepernick’s freedom of speech – may be taking the protests too far.
Kaepernick’s protests are not just hurting his career, but also the NFL league – the same league that not only pays him eight figures a year, but also employs a 75% of black athletes and many other black employees for coaches, executive officers, and more.
It seems that Kaepernick’s talent has kept him immune from termination at this point, for many are calling for his removal from the league, such as Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg.
Breitbart News reports:
The Washington Post reported a 15 percent decline over the first five weeks of this season compared to the entirety of last year. So his “movement” is costing the NFL millions, and could end up costing people jobs, including African-Americans.
Whether Kaepernick continues to play in the league is a decision based solely off of his usefulness to the team.
Breitbart News reports:
From a football standpoint, it remains to be seen if Kaepernick will help the reeling 49ers. While physically gifted, with great size, a strong arm, and excellent speed, Kaepernick really struggled in 2014-15, especially with reading defensive coverages.
His actions are nothing short of disrespectful. His protests have been going on for months and have sparked a wildfire across the nation as more and more social justice warriors join the anti-anthem fad.
The actions are condemned by many fans of the NFL, as well as by many players in the NFL.
What are your thoughts? Has Kaepernick taken his protests too far? Or is this an issue that still needs awareness brought to it?
Leave us your thoughts in the comments section below.
