Video of Colin Kaepernick announcing that he will be remain sitting during the national anthem in protest of the injustices against and oppression of POC in America – Courtesy Shaun King Facebook
Over the last week, San Francisco 49er quarterback, Colin Kaepernick has come under scrutiny and received praise for his decision to sit during the national anthem. In an interview, Kaepernick explained his position and intention behind the protest:
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color…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.”
As one would expect, many spoke out against Kaepernick—claiming he disrespected the military, dishonored our country, and deemed his method of action as ineffective and inappropriate. I wholeheartedly disagree with these assertions, and support Kaepernick in his stance. This post, however, is not meant explore why. But rather, shed light on how history often time repeats itself without us even realizing.
There is a passage from Dr. Martin Luther King’s letter from Birmingham Jail that really resonates with me, and is relevant to much of the pushback Colin Kaepernick has received since his decision to sit during the national anthem. Dr. King wrote this letter in response to his fellow clergyman whom had referred to his actions leading up to his arrest (protesting segregation in Birmingham) as “unwise & untimely:”
“I must make two honest confessions to you, my Christian and Jewish brothers. First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.”
Sound familiar?
