Issues of racial injustices have been a problem in the United States throughout generations. Athletes have always had their opinions on racial issues and have never seemed to hesitate to speak their mind. Recently Colin Kaepernick has been sitting out of the National Anthem to protest for “black lives matter.” The representation of race in the Article, Tommie Smith, iconic 1968 Olympics activist, defends Colin Kaepernick’s protest, by Nancy Armour, is a modern way to protest the racial injustices our country has been facing. Colin Kaepernick is simply standing up for what he believes in. It’s easy to say that he’s even following in the shoes of Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, Smith, and Carlos in their stances on racial issues. Critics of Colin …show more content…
Examples of this can be seen from something as simple as a name. Often African Americans receive unfair opportunities just from their names. There are consequences of giving a kid a cultural or a unique name in today’s society. Job opportunities can be limited from something as simple as a name. Ziba Kashef states that, “Names are misspelled, mispronounced, and misunderstood in a country that is largely still ignorant and suspicious of otherness” (Pg. 435). This country is terrified of otherness as Kashef says it. Being different has its consequences and in most cases being different causes one to be looked at as inferior. There is often prejudice against people with cultural names, but there is a positive side to it. Employers and landlords can be charged in court if there is prejudice against someone’s name or speech. There are efforts being made to make America more equal, but there is much more that needs to be …show more content…
This is because of the ignorance and the suspiciousness of otherness in our country. A protest technique as unique as sitting out of the National Anthem has no chance of being understood if something as simple as a name can’t be understood by the majority of the population in the country. The quote mentioned earlier also fits this perfectly, “Too often we’re so focused on what they said that we don’t bother listening to a word of it.” In Kaepernick’s case the method of sitting out of the National Anthem is more of a concern to the people then the issue that he is doing it for. It’s sad to say but media portrays things to get ridiculous reactions out of the public. In the case of ethnic names, employers look at the name and immediately toss the resume to the side, and the person may even be the most qualified. Another similarity between the two articles is there is an underlying meaning to both Kaepernick’s protest and Kashef’s ethnic names. Kaepernick is using the protest to bring the injustices that black males face in this country. Kashef’s is trying to explain that ethnic names have significant meaning and allow uniqueness. The two articles show how African Americans are discriminated against based on the color of their skin and their unique
Following recent cases of police brutality and racial oppression, many public figures are taking it upon themselves to stand against the issues. In this matter, Colin Kaepernick has been in the spotlight since his protest during a preseason game in August, where he took a knee during the National Anthem. In the articles “The Colin Kaepernick Effect; Another Athlete Stands Up For Social Issues” by LA Watts Times Sports Writer, Amanda Scurlock and “Colin Kaepernick’s Critics Called Him an Idiot. Who’s the Idiot Now?” by Slate Executive Director, Josh Levin, the authors talk about how Colin Kaepernick’s peaceful protest has had many positive and negative backlash. Kaepernick has received much support from not only his fans, but also people such
If you are a big football fan then you might have noticed at the beginning of the season,that a player for the San Francisco 49ers, did not stand for the national anthem. The player's name is Colin Kaepernick. To some it might not have been a big deal, but to others it was a major controversy. They couldn't understand why Kaepernick did not stand for the anthem. From an online article by Steve Wyche, Kaepernick explains why he didn't stand for the anthem. “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." () Kaepernick is referring to all the police shooting of African Americans that have been happening. Since Kaepernick started sitting out for the anthem others in the NFL and in other sports have also started to sit out for the anthem. The issue starts with the black
Kaepernick 's decision to speak truth to power and the ensuing fallout illustrates something important.”(Joseph). From Joseph statement he points out how people quickly changed their mind and attitude when they see a black athlete like Colin Kaepernick standing for the people that are oppressed and not acting in a manner that they want him to behave which placed him in a situation where he is the center of attention where, Kaepernick have the power to speak the truth and not be afraid. Who benefits from this position would be Colin Kaepernick because of what he is doing with his national spotlight platform to raise awareness of the injustice of black people and people of color and people from all types of backgrounds are following suit and also standing up by making a point by raising awareness of injustice of black people and people of color. Also the media are benefitting from it because they have something to talk about dealing with something that is difficult for people to talk about when it comes to racism and knowing that it would generate more viewers. Who loses out the most from this position would be the people who questioned his patriotism because they can’t say it’s offensive because what he is doing is patriotic where he has the right to speak freely and
Lately, everyone has seen or commented on Kaepernick kneeling the National Anthem. There are non-supporters like Stephen Duncombe defines Kaepernick protest as “Ethical Spectacle, [a] strategic use of a symbol, sign or gesture to seek a cultural shift” (Jenkins). Supporters like Mat Bonesteel of The Washington Post states “[Kaepernick] protest could have sparked needed conversations on … subjects: [such as] on the treatment of black Americans… on patriotism’s place in society; on the importance of symbols” (Gass). Colin Kaepernick should continue kneeling because he shows patriotism, awareness on subjects like freedom of speech. Also, the difficult African Americans has protesting for equalities.
For many years, America continues to have a strong and powerful pride for law enforcement, because they protect many people. However, Colin Kaepernick represents the minorities that don’t have a chance to speak their thoughts. During the last preseason game, Kaepernick remained seated during The Star-Spangled Banner, because of racial discrimination. Although many people disagree with his protest, the author also believed his actions had a meaningful cause, which didn’t harm himself or anyone else. Many Americans were able to see his message about discrimination.
Joe Posnanski also analyzes Colin Kaepernick’s political statement near the end of his article. Posnanski in conclusion states “But he is making his statement, boldly, unflinchingly, fully ready to face whatever comes his way.” Accordingly, we will be faced with opinions and ideas of the country that we passionately disagree, to make a bold statement about the topic, the statement made has to be bold enough to bring attention to, but not to the point that it puts you or others in harm. Likewise, Posnanski announces “He has made it absolutely clear why he does this — it is a personal protest against what he views as racial injustice in America. The responses have been overwhelming and from all sides.” Furthermore, this displays the importance
The article "Colin Kaepernick's True Sin", written by Adam Serwer, discusses the meaning behind Colin Kaepernick's refusal to stand for the Star Spangled and the opinions people feel about his protest. During the 49er's preseason games, Colin Kaepernick has decided to protest the flag by sitting or kneeling during the national anthem. While this was viewed by many as a horrendous and unpatriotic action, Colin made a public statement clarifying his reason for doing so, "This is because I’m seeing things happen to people that don’t have a voice, people that don’t have a platform to talk and have their voices heard, and effect change..." Here, Colin explains that he is making a stand against police brutality against African-Americans because he feels their voices aren't being heard.
The argument as to whether or not San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick made the right decision on how to protest his discontent with apparent national racial inequality has become a national debate that has many different viewpoints coming from all directions. The two most prominent approaches to this debate are that Kaepernick has the right to take his stance and that he did it the right way- by sitting and kneeling during the national anthem before a game- while other believe that he certainly does have the right to take a stance, but he should have done it in a more appropriate way that was not so painfully unpatriotic. In a Times article, “Kaepernick had no choice but to kneel” by John McWhorter, the first of the two stances
In the story “The Train to Hate,” a young man dealt with racism at a delicate age. However, he learned from his mother that being a different race does not make him inferior to others in society. His mother reassured him that the conductor was not superior because he was white, and he was not inferior because he was black (Franklin 223). As can be seen, the victories for individuals who are in a certain group or society are so difficult to achieve due to there are a lot of stereotypes and limits that others put in place that prevent certain individuals from achieving and pushing through
Instead of being proud of this country standing with their hands resting over their hearts, several athletes of color are either sitting down or taking a knee and raising a clenched protest of police brutality and racial inequities. Others were joining the protests to show solidarity with their teammates, who risk public backlash and are peacefully exercising their freedom of speech. Kaepernick's protest influenced by the Black Lives Matter movement, which, has called for radical changes to improve the futures of African-Americans and to end the epidemic of state-sanctioned violence in their
Many minority groups describe racism and other forms of discrimination as being more than just prejudiced towards people based on certain characteristics. Prejudice plays a large role in what is considered to be racism, but it also consists of having a dominant position in society and power to institute and take advantage of their racism. This dominant group of people have the most power, the greatest privileges, and what’s considered to be the highest social status. They use their power to provide themselves with (easier) access to resources like housing, education, jobs, food, health, legal protection, and et cetera. On the other hand, the subordinate group of people are singled out for unequal treatment and are regarded as “objects” of collective discrimination. They are provided with inferior education, food, jobs, healthcare and et cetera.
Race affects people in many different ways ways. Some are positive, some are negative. One of these ways is how fairly one is treated. Race can affect the opportunities that someone is given. In the United States a person's race affect how fairly they are treated. This is shown in Raisin in the Sun, "Why is the NYPD after me?", and "Class, Race, and Housing segregation.
We live in America. A society that will turn the other cheek to football players who beat their children but let one kneel during the national anthem and his career is over. America; a place where the same people who support our troops in war will turn away in sight of a homeless veteran. America; the city on a hill full of diversity and as a result opposing viewpoints. Most recently, in sports news, a man by the name collin kapernick has decided to kneel during the national anthem saying “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,”.Some support the reason behind this bold statement others are quite bothered. While both viewpoints are standing
As a result of the recent controversy over social injustices, specifically racial, 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, took a knee during the national anthem. This was because Kaepernick felt as though he should not stand for an anthem that does not fully represent people of color. To add, the country is somewhat divided between the Black Lives Matter and the Blue Lives Matter movements. To illustrate, Kaepernick’s actions created a sort of domino effect, causing other professional athletes who support Black Lives Matter to do the same thing. Although, it must be remembered that in America, citizens have the right to kneel during the anthem, whereas in other countries, such an act would not be acceptable at all.
The scholars expounds that Black athletes were commodities on the playing field to help win games and bring in revenue to their respected schools. However, the schools were just as eager and willing to leave their Black players behind and dishonoring the player as a part of the team. Therefore, not compromising the team’s winning and bring in profits for the school. Sadly, Black athletes at predominately White institutions (PWIs) who believed that they were bettering the live of themselves and their families members by going to college and playing collegiate sports to increase their post secondary careers. However, these athletes were only “show ponies” for their schools. Unfortunately, Black athletes had allegiance to their school; however, the school turned their backs on the athletes to protect the profit and notoriety of the school and the programs. Money and respect from White fans and spectators were more important to the PWIs than standing up for the respect of their Black players. Racial bigotry in sports was rampant and it was only going to get worse.