I once read a quote that said,
“Privilege is when you think something is not a problem because it’s not a problem to you.”
Colin Kaepernick sees a problem outside of himself and is speaking and acting out against it. It’s not only cost him playing time with the 49ers, it costs him a roster spot in the NFL. There are 32 teams in the NFL…all with three QB’s on their depth charts and some with four as of now. That is 118 quarterbacks with a NFL job and if we’re counting, only eight of that number are equal or better than Kaep.
Richie Incognito, the same one who likes calling teammates “nigger”, got suspended for bullying teammates and who was arrested after he threatened to shoot up a funeral home was signed by the Oakland Raiders on Tuesday. Nick Bosa, who once degraded Kaepernick in a now deleted tweet (among other very….questionable and deleted tweets) has been drafted. Matt Barkley, Blaine Gabbert and A.J. McCarron, are just a few who can’t throw a rock in the ocean but all still have jobs while Kaepernick is waiting on that call. Heaven forbid that a man decides to stand up for what’s right as opposed to racially disrespecting his teammates. Even if he’s not a starter doesn’t he deserve an opportunity to compete?
It’s almost like even after the settlement with the NFL owners, the military vet speaking on his behalf, and constant support of key big name players around the league, they still don’t get it. This isn’t about pride, it isn’t about some selfish crusade. This is about a man using the platform that he’s been given to make a difference. Shame on him for doing so. Right? No. Honestly, I can’t figure out what is worse, the fact that he’s being blackballed by the league or the fact that so many people outside the game are condemning this man for using a constitutional right.
It’s incredible how so many Americans wanna claim constitutional rights but ONLY when it’s convenient and if you claim that same right for feeling a different way, you’re in the wrong.
What bugs me even more is how much people wanna have an opinion on the protest but won’t open their eyes to the reasoning of it.
I know what you’re probably thinking, “another writer praising a lost cause.” Honestly, as long as I am Black in America and as long as there is breath in my lungs, this is a fight that I will support and one that I will be active in. What kills me even more, is how many Christians and especially pastors are condemning Kaepernick for literally following a biblical command (Proverbs 31:8-9 for reference).
Here’s the thing, this country is backsliding rapidly in terms of civil/equal rights. I speak up and out regularly against anything that jeopardizes the “freedoms” I was told I had been born with. In the 1960’s Dr. King said that he was tired of marching for something that should’ve been his at birth. If all men are truly created equal, then there must be a push effort that to be seen.
The argument of “at least it’s not the 50’s” is one I’ve heard and hated for years. That statement is a cop out for avoiding what’s really going on. And if you decide to turn a blind eye to the injustices that are seen in this country everyday, remember that “privilege is when you think something is not a problem because it’s not a problem to you.” Practice empathy from time to time. It’s not a bad idea to try and view life from someone else’s perspective.
