Colin Kaepernick has a right to free speech. As Americans, we all have this right. It’s something embedded within the the identity of this nation.
None of that means said speech is always respectful. Too often today, people use this Constitutionally-given right as a way to spew hate and divisiveness.
That’s not what the San Francisco 49ers quarterback did in deciding to sit for the national anthem this past week. It’s most definitely not what he did when speaking to the media about his quiet protest — a protest directed at what many perceive to be institutional racism in the United States.
Now, as the entire anthem controversy has been taken to a whole new level, Kaepernick isn’t doing himself any favors here.
The embattled backup quarterback was just recently seen wearing socks with cops depicted as pigs during a mid-August practice (via CBS Sports).
Courtesy of CBS Sports
Freedom of expression goes hand in hand with freedom of speech. We, as Americans, are free to express ourselves (within the confines of the law) as we see fit.
To be clear, Kaepernick has that right as an American. Though, it’s also important to note that the NFL itself does police what players wear on the field. That in and of itself can add another layer to this new controversy.
Looking at it outside of the context of the sports world, Kaepernick is doing himself a disservice here. In fact, it’s taking away from the growing legitimacy of his movement. Of his stance against perceived oppression in the United States.
Depicting cops as pigs is not a part of the Black Lives Matter movement. It isn’t something most of us who initially supported Kaepernick can get behind. There’s an argument that could be made that it’s advocating violence against America’s police officers.
It surely is a hot-button topic. With the issues we’ve seen surrounding the killing of unarmed African Americans at the hands of police officers, a previously respected profession has seen its name dragged through the mud.
In many instances, this is justified. We simply can’t sit back and watch a segment of our society brutalized by a police force that doesn’t seem equipped to handle the growing racial tension in America’s streets.
Though, to paint the entire police force with a broad stroke is foolish. It does nothing to further the conversation in America. Wearing attire that depicts said force as pigs is dangerous. It’s also a longstanding stance of the most hard-line anti-police factions out there.
We are talking about authorities who gave their lives to protect BLM protesters during a rally in Dallas earlier this year. We are talking about authorities who don’t hesitate to risk their lives to save the average American.
Are we so quick to forget about 9/11 and the heroism those in uniform displayed? Less than two decades later, and we’re painting them in the same light as a small minority of those who dishonor the badge.
How’s that fair to anyone? How does that advance Colin’s cause?
If Kaepernick wanted to continue being taken seriously here, he would have avoided something to alienate himself from the common American that understands the point he’s making.
Instead, the quarterback decided to cater to the hard-line factions in a movement that has nothing to do with the overall fight against police brutality.
More than that, he lent a very public face to some who would like to do harm to America’s police force.
As someone that has supported Kaepernick to no end here, I cannot get behind him on this.