(via latimes.com)

NFL Player Colin Kaepernick took a personal stand against racruial inequality and police brutality by sitting down during the national anthem and people haven’t stopped talking about it since.

 

The San Francisco 49ers quarterback made a decision to use his platform to make a statement for something he believed in. Some people understood his protest and saluted him, while others took it as a sign of disrespect to America. These sentiments are pretty interesting considering the fact that America’s history hasn’t been as joyous for Black Americans as it was/is for other Americans.

Kaepernick told NFL Media,” 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."

 

While it isn’t required to stand during the national anthem, people still seem to have a hard time comprehending Kaepernick’s constitutional right to choose to not stand. The fact that people are “outraged” by his personal right, clearly shows the false sense of freedom that is marketed in America.

It also further proves why Kaepernick and the many others who have taken a stand against the system of inequality that continue to plague this country is so necessary. People need to know and understand this is a very real issue. We need change to occur within America and the change begins with us.

 

If you are interested in purchasing a Kaepernick’s jersey visit shop49ers.com.

written by Chandra Meadows of POP ATL