Friday, September 2, 2016

Colin Kaepernick's gesture

Colin Kaepernick made the choice not to stand for the national anthem. His choice to freely make. But as a public gesture, it is certainly open to discussion, of which there has been much. What bothered me was his comment that he would not stand up for an America that treated blacks the way it does.

While I think I understand his intention and empathize with it, I wonder which America he is referring to?

Is it the America that continues to fight for voting rights?
Is it the America that has passed significant civil rights legislation?
Is it the America that allows him the opportunity reach distinction in his profession?
Is it theAmerica where black-on-black crime takes many more lives than blacks killed by police?
Is it the America which welcomes immigrants from African nations?
Is it the imperfect America that will never give up on trying to heal its racial wounds?

With this gesture Kaepernick won't lose his job, his ample salary or his lifestyle . It is a gesture which calls attention to what is already clear in a devisive way with no healing component.

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