#BlackExcellence: Salute to Colin Kaepernick

Whether you agree with Kaepernick’s actions or not, he has caused a dialogue that was a whisper after the Espy’s address by Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, Chris Paul and spearheaded by Carmelo Anthony to become a loud roar. The question about what role celebrities and athletes should play when it comes to social issues, injustices and even politics can be argued back and forth for centuries to come and there will likely never be a defining consensus. I personally believe that each of us has a responsibility to stand against injustice. We all have a voice that when used can impact someone no matter how big or small our platform.

To quote the late great Dr.Martin Luther King Jr, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” and it takes each of our voices collectively to fight against the unspeakable amount of injustices we are faced with at the renewal of each news cycle. Kaepernick’s stance is probably one of the most patriotic things I’ve seen in quite some time. We are a country that fights for the freedoms and liberties of other countries yet the black and brown people of this nation continue to be oppressed. The pride that I used to feel when standing and placing my hand over my heart when hearing the anthem was rooted in a belief that this country offered us equal opportunities and freedoms that should be the birthright of all men. So in a country where we are lead to believe that those virtues are a part of our founding principles; isn’t the appropriate action to stand up and fight? (In this case, sit down) Kaepernick’s actions are a necessary call to action…That’s patriotism!

I read one article that said, “Kaepernick dividing America” that literally made me laugh out loud. America has long been divided. Kaepernick simply stood up for those who fall on the losing end of the equation. Today, we at #TheColorOfIngenuity salute this week’s example of #BlackExcellence, Colin Kaepernick for using his platform for a greater good.

“When there’s significant change and I feel like that flag represents what it’s supposed to represent and this country is representing people the way that it’s supposed to, I’ll stand.” ~Colin Kaepernick

PS: Round of applause to the NFL for not trying to place a fine on an athlete’s 1st Amendment right.