When Jackie Robinson willingly chose not to stand or salute during the national anthem for every baseball game he played, he went down in history as a patriot.
“I cannot stand and sing the anthem,” Robinson said. “I cannot salute the flag; I know that I am a black man in a white world.”
But it took the media three games to criticize Colin Kaepernick, starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, for sitting during the anthem.
Criticisms of Kaepernick are unfair. His patriotism can be mirrored by some of history’s most notable figures, and stands stronger than the inconsistent patriotism of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
The pretend outrage, which the media manufactured, suppresses true concerns in American life and politics. This country faces an exploding national debt, inner city gang violence, and wars in the Middle East. The media and those who are upset with Kaepernick merely distract from real problems.
Hillsdale Associate Economics Professor Gary Wolfram put it this way: “The news media now covers primarily sensational events and personality while ignoring matters of substance. Should we be wondering if the second string tackle for the Miami Dolphins is singing off-key on purpose? Let’s cover why Hillary Clinton deleted thousands of emails from her server instead.”
Donald Trump supporters seem most outraged by incidents like this, and this is because they only care about personality, not principles. They want people to make them feel good about their country, instead of addressing real problems.
Americans must understand that our nation’s treatment of minorities is lamentable. The effects of that treatment can still be felt today.
Throughout American history, patriots have expressed dissent toward problems in Americans, and never a blind nationalism. Patriotism in the United States has devolved into ostentatious pageantry. This switch of focus from substance to flash has never been more apparent than in Kaepernick’s situation.
In North Korea everyone stands for the national anthem. It is not an anthem that makes a country free, strong, and beautiful. American soldiers did not die for a flag or a song. They died for principles, and Kaepernick sat during the national anthem to defend his.
Kaepernick made a small gesture of protest toward the current state of American affairs. His intent was not malicious, and the media nearly grazed over his actions.
Trump has personally attacked a famous prisoner of war, saying he is not a hero. He has attacked a gold star family for criticizing his political positions, and willingly took a Purple Heart as a souvenir. Kaepernick looks presidential when put up against Tomi Larehn, FoxNews, and Trump supporters across the nation.
Compared to Trump’s boisterous and flagrant disrespect for American soldiers, Kaepernick’s actions were graceful and patriotic.
Let’s view Kaepernick for what he is. He has no credibility as a political intellectual. He’s just an entertainer. He should have an insignificant place in the political discussion.
A football player who thinks he has the right to peacefully protest American race relations is much better than a reality TV star turned presidential candidate who runs his loud, ignorant mouth.
Taking a look at Trump, maybe Kaepernick should run for president too.
