Kaepernick scores again; this time from the bench.

I pledge allegiance or maybe not at all. There has been major buzz around a popular NFL players decision to not stand during the national anthem and many are outraged. It seems that pledging the flag well the lack their of causes ones image to be painted as disrespectful….go figure, but when there is meaning behind it all the truth will shall set us free or maybe not. Now it’s my time to state my feelings about it because you already know my mOOds are all over the place on this one.

Colin Kaepernick decided that he would not stand for the playing of the national anthem in protest of what he feels are wrongdoings against African Americans and minorities in the United States. He has a point! Although his feelings are valid are his actions becoming of a recognized and famous champion. The social word thinks NOT!

Kaepernick states “This is not something that I am going to run by anybody,” he said. “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.”

mOOdie agrees with Kaepernick’s decision to not pledge the flag, not because of my love for the NFL player, but my love for the fact that he stood for something other than his love for the game. Any person that is able to take a stand for those oppressed despite the backlash it may cause their livelihood is something to be respected and praised especially in a organization that portrays ignorance during these specific world issues. Pledging the flag is an act of respect for our country, but is also something that we are taught. It makes sense to a five year old that I’m pledging the flag out of practice and teaching, but when meaning is placed on the flag the understanding changes. The United States and land of the free is sometimes the land of the not so free. His decision to not stand together with his brothers and sisters shows a lack of trust in a country who claims to treat everyone as one. He symbolizes him as a person who brought meaning back to the flag and made us think are we really pledging a system that is not one for all and all for one. Kaepernick scores!

It seems in times like this our given constitutional rights are revoked and we are forced to comply with the “norms” of society. This is  an issue that surrounds the Kaepernick scandal. One should be able to act freely without judgment and penalty. In Kaepernick’s case it seems as though his behavior has been linked to one of disrespect and inhumane intentions. We disregard that he chose to stand for a group of people who are constantly the underdog in all of America’s social history and still the nation doesn’t understanding his actions.

I applaud Kaepernicks decision to not stand, because he proved to us that if he stands for anything we shall fall for it all. His decision has been one that many people of color have been waiting to see from our famous sports figures. This showing of solidarity comes at a time where the Black community needs the popular (celebrity) support. Colin Kaepernick is a stand up guy that made a stand out decision to support those who have been unsupported for years. Calling him anything other than a champion disrespects his personal right to make a decision and voice or not his opinions about our nations unjust.

“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.” – Colin Kaepernick

I sit with Kaepernick! Let us sit together in agreement.

Mood: Happy, Annoyed, yet Thankful for this social injustice and solidarity.