After an extended time of
consideration, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick came to a point
of personal dissatisfaction and decided to remain seated during the playing of
the National Anthem for these stated reasons: “‘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 in an exclusive interview after the game. ‘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.’”
Initially, the “Army” in me stirred
me to want to simply take Mr. Kaepernick to task for his actions, which from my
background and culture as an Army Man, are generally considered disrespectful
and outrageous. Then, I thought it might
be worth taking a deeper look into the matter. In general, taking a stand in
protest– or a seat - for one’s principles is an admirable undertaking. ESPN reported that while Kaepernick is
ethnically bi-racial and adopted and raised by a white family, he has
personally been stirred and touched by many contemporary racially charged events
and has felt moved to do something. ESPN
stated further that Kaepernick is seeking to learn more and to grow in his
understanding of the issues of race and culture that have captured his attention.
Taking the time to listen to the
ESPN piece was helpful to me in trying to sort through Kaepernick’s
thinking. The life he has enjoyed and
continues to enjoy because of the blessings of a compassionate family and
strong personal aptitudes has placed him in a unique yet awkward position. On the one hand, he has enjoyed the very best
that the nation has to offer – compassionate people, moved to meet a need have
embraced him, sealed him with their own identity and afforded him benefits that
have propelled him and his talent to extremely lofty heights. At the same time, I imagine there are days
that he might wonder, “Why am I so fortunate?
Why have I made it?” What if
things hadn’t turned out right for me?”
I seem to remember a biblical account
of a man who was raised as a child of privilege and in his adulthood, realized that
while he flourished, others who shared his ethnic identity suffered. His first attempts to bring about justice for
his oppressed people were not only ill-advised, they were disastrous – in fact,
they were murderous. Yet, after 40 years
of reflection in the wilderness, this man discovered His God and matured to the
point that he was then able, in senior years, to not only act wisely, but actually
lead his people to a better place and God’s full purpose for their lives – and his.
Perhaps sitting down during the
national anthem isn’t the wisest way for a conscientious NFL quarterback to
initiate a discussion of the racial issues of the day. Nevertheless, it is a
way for those close to him to begin to seek opportunities to advise and educate
him – and he has indicated he desires to
be educated in such matters. Perhaps a great start would be helping him to look
back at the contributions of Americans like the Tuskegee Airmen, or the
trailblazers of the 555th Parachute Infantry Regiment, also known as
the “Triple Nickel” or the women being highlighted in the contemporary movie “Hidden
Figures” who provided critical brain power to launch NASA’s efforts to conquer
space. Perhaps knowledge of these types
of figures who found ways to excel when even basic rights like using a public
bathroom were denied, might help him to reevaluate his approach and focus on
pathways to produce, rather than platforms to protest.
Protests have their place and every
American has a right to exercise their freedom to protest as they believe a
situation warrants. Nevertheless, as Mr.
Kaepernick takes his seat for justice, those with experience and know-how might
encourage him to consider some other paths to create awareness, and challenge
him to take a stand for the future that remains ahead of us, seeking to lift
up others to stand with him in the process.
If his heart is in the right place – and the information indicates that
it probably is – this situation can lead to some powerful and productive
actions towards solutions. I know that I
am a lifelong learner and I remain thankful to those who have walked alongside
me as I continue to sort out the critical issues of life. I hope the same for Mr. Kaepernick.
The Tuskegee Airmen
The Triple Nickel
NASA's Human Computer Project - The Women of "Hidden Figures"
Sam and Sam Jackson
2 comments:
wise words, by a man who has taken the oath. I question though if our subject would actually be willing to hold the 'protest' if he thought it would actually cost him hist cush job, unlike those who (back in the day) risked the stretching of their neck, the burning of their home, or the beating of their family, when THEY chose to peacefully protest.
Would it not be wiser to FIRST educate oneself, make a point of protesting in a DIFFERENT way, so as to avoid dishonoring the MILLIONS of Americans (of all races) who provided you that right?
Well done, Sam.
The flag and the anthem are rallying points in our history. Not for what America necessarily is, but what we want it to become. The question for better. Each generation we struggle through more change and improve and the examples Sam gives of those who serve the ideal, while living through the bad end of the change, are those whose example is listened to. Why? They earned the respect to be heard. Only protest that causes others to reflect and change is meaningful. Protest that polarizes only adds to the negative momentum and marginalizes the protester's effectiveness to lead in the change they desire.
Carl
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