Colin Kaepernick refused to stand during the National Anthem ahead of the 49ers vs Green Bay preseason game at Levi’s Stadium on Friday night.
He addressed his decision after the game — while wearing a Malcolm X hat and shirt.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL Media. “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 you can imagine, the backlash from those who disagree with his stance came swift and full of racist comments.
One quick look at Colin’s Instagram and you can see that he’s been ‘woke’ for a minute.
Colin said that he is aware of what he is doing and that he knows it will not sit well with a lot of people, including the 49ers. He said that he did not inform the club or anyone affiliated with the team of his intentions to protest the national anthem.
“This is not something that I am going to run by anybody,” he said. “I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed. … If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right.”
Thankfully, the 49ers organization is standing behind Colin’s decision and freedom of expression.
“The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony. It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem,” said the 49ers in a statement.
Shoutout to Colin for choosing to take a stand.
Will someone point Cam Newton to Colin’s Twitter mentions and ask him to explain what he meant by the US being ‘beyond racism’?
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