Kate Upton’s Privilege Is Showing

Model Kate Upon took to her social media accounts to address the controversy surrounding 49ers backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick and other athletes who decided to join his movement in kneeling during the national anthem. In a response to an article shared on ESPN, Upton posted a message on Instagram and Twitter expressing her biased standpoint on the situation. In her statement Upton stressed that it is one thing to make a political statement, but taking a knee during a September 11th game is highly disrespectful.

As a privileged, upper class, white woman Upton is not subject to the brutal inequalities that blacks face living in a racial society. There are different social realities that African-Americans encounter when dealing with prejudiced police officials. Living through the traumatic stress of losing a loved one to unjust violence and being racially profiled has become a frequent occurrence for black Americans. Upton must take into consideration that Kaepernick’s political stance is not a fight against men and women of the military, but a stance against the men and women in blue who pledge to protect and serve each citizen of the country. Contrary to what some may believe African Americans are significant members of this “free” society.

Upton responds to Soledad O’Brien’s disagreement of her statement advising O’Brien to read her Instagram post, because she obviously does an amazing of acknowledging that these athletes have every right to protest, but there is a time and place for that.

Here is where Upton contradicts her statement. The question becomes in a country that is supposed to represent freedom and unity, how can restrictions be placed on freedom of expression?

Upton’s restrictions ratify the message behind Kaepernick’s political movement. Within the eyes of society blacks are not equally protected by the constitution or the law. As a young, successful white woman Upton consciously disregards the significance of Kaepernick’s movement so she does not have to confront the realization that racism continues to plague the American society.

An election of an African-American president does not mean racism is diminished as Upton seems to suggest. All it means is that the American society has taken a step toward social change. Until America becomes a society where each citizen is truly liberated, there is still a need for progression. Kaepernick’s stance against unjust police officers is the next step toward social change.