I’m Sorry, Colin Kaepernick
A conservative’s evolution on police violence and race
When NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling in protest during the national anthem in 2016, I was slightly appalled: He lives in the greatest country in the world and enjoys the pleasures of a well-paying profession. Yet he chooses to disrespect the flag and those who fought and died for him?! The nerve.
Those feelings simmered. They stayed with me for a while.
But Kaepernick was right to bring light to the situation of police brutality directed at black Americans. No, I don’t agree with his “pig cop” socks (he reportedly stated they were only “meant to represent rogue cops”). No, I don’t personally agree with disrespecting the flag, though doing so is protected by the First Amendment. But the message of enough is enough? Using his platform for a public display?
Why shouldn’t black Americans — who feel helpless and enraged when they see the obvious disparity in treatment by law enforcement — peacefully protest by kneeling?
We’ve seen instances of police (and sometimes citizen-led) brutality directed at black men and women. George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Philando Castile, Tamir Rice, and Laquan McDonald are just a few who have died over the years because of excessive…
