Colin Kaepernick And The Question Of Who Gets To Be Called A 'Patriot'

In the article, “Colin Kaepernick and the Question of Who Gets to Be Called a ‘Patriot’”, Wesley Morris focuses on the issue of whether or not Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the national anthem at football games is disrespectful and unpatriotic. Morris claims that “Patriotism is the cornerstone of football”, while also addressing the tendency Americans have to shift the blame somewhere else. Morris is able to identify other examples of how patriotism can be viewed in different perspectives and how people that have access to large platforms can use their status to shed light on topics that may have been swept under the rug. The issue of being unpatriotic during the National Anthem was raised by people when NFL quarterback, Colin Kaepernick decided to kneel during the national anthem before a preseason game. Later, Kaepernick addressed the media by saying this act was a stance against “police brutality on people of color”. By raising the

games. By comparing patriotism to racism, Morris is able to identify where the gray area of patriotism lies. A strong point is made that “racism and patriotism tend to point: toward the exits.” Morris is explaining that it is racist for a white American to blame black Americans for any problems that are in American society. Morris also addresses how it could be seen as racist to make to make other ethnic and minority groups owe anything for a self-proclaimed tolerance of these groups living in America. The same could be said for patriotism. Modern day American patriots like to think that everyone else is to blame for the world’s problems and are always pointing the finger at some other group of people, rather than addressing their own issues within the country. Morris does address, however, that the N.F.L. commissioner believes patriotism in football is the players wishing to see a change in