San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand during the national anthem because:
“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. …
This is not something that I am going to run by anybody. 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.
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 to participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.” ~ FoxSports
While you can respect Mr Kaepernick’s right to free speech (that he makes clear in that last paragraph) he and anyone else who feels the same to his claims the US is oppressive can get the hell out of the USA anytime you like! Frankly anyone who feels this country is oppressive that chooses to reside here defines hypocrite. If you feel that strongly about the US why are you here? By all means get the hell out, there is no gun pointed at your head to be here!
How dare Colin or the countless number of democrats and progressives enjoy the benefits of being an American, getting rich, being free to be an ass under the very blanket freedom our Flag and National Anthem provide that they attack?!
Hollywood, professional athletes, singers and musicians and all the celebrities out there it’s real simple either show some respect and a little patriotism or give up the jobs, houses, cars, money and freedom, and GET OUT OF THE USA! Your actions are a slap in the face to those who have laid their lives down for this country.
L E A V E!
Colin Kaepernick explains why he sat during national anthem
NFL.com
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has willingly immersed himself into controversy by refusing to stand for the playing of the national anthem in protest of what he deems are wrongdoings against African Americans and minorities in the United States.
His latest refusal to stand for the anthem — he has done this in at least one other preseason game — came before the 49ers’ preseason loss to Green Bay at Levi’s Stadium on Friday night.
“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.”
The 49ers issued a statement about Kaepernick’s decision: “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.”read more