SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF / AP) – Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback and Black Lives Matter activist Colin Kaepernick set off a social media storm Sunday with a Twitter post critical of the July 4 holiday .
On Twitter, Kaepernick posted: “Black people have been dehumanized, brutalized, criminalized + terrorized by the United States for centuries, and are expected to join in their commemoration of ‘independence’ as they enslave our ancestors. We reject their celebration of white supremacy and we await liberation for all. ”
Black people have been dehumanized, brutalized, criminalized + terrorized by the United States for centuries, and are expected to join in their commemoration of “independence” as they enslave our ancestors. We reject her celebration of white supremacy and look forward to liberation for all. ✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/YCD2SYlgv4
– Colin Kaepernick (@ Kaepernick7) July 4, 2020
The post has sparked an avalanche of supportive comments and criticism of his comments.
Kaepernick has been a polarizing figure since he knelt down while with the 49ers during the national anthem to take a stand against police brutality and racial injustice in 2016. At the time, he was largely alone.
Politicians, team owners and other players criticized him, fans burned his shirt and he was booed even at home. Four years later, his protest is widely seen as prophetic of the current Black Lives Matter movement.
Even NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell apologized to the players for not having heard them earlier and encouraged them to protest peacefully.
“We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of blacks,” Goodell said in a video posted on Friday. “We, the National Soccer League, admit that we were wrong not to listen to NFL players earlier and we encourage everyone to speak up and protest peacefully. We, the National Football League, believe that black lives matter. I personally protest with you and I want to be part of the change that we need so much in this country. “
The death of George Floyd, which sparked protests across the country over racial injustice and police brutality, woke many people to the root of the problems that led to the peaceful Kaepernick demonstration, an expression intended to raise awareness of such problems. , do not degrade the flag or the anthem. Kaepernick, 32, has not played in the NFL since 2016.
“The protest is really trying to hold us accountable for the things we say we believe in. It’s about equality and justice for all,” said Houston Texans wide receiver Kenny Stills, who has knelt since week 1 of the 2016 season.
San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Kaepernick deserves respect and admiration for starting the protest. Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll praised him for his courage and sacrificed his career. Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy compared Kaepernick to Muhammad Ali.
“There are many parallels between Colin and my father,” said Ali’s daughter Khaliah. “It is maintained 100 percent with integrity regardless of cost. She made an unwavering commitment to the betterment of her people and took an unapologetic stance against injustice. Many people have tried to discourage our support for Colin, which is unthinkable to me. He is a friend of our family, he is loved and honored. “
The NFL and its teams have expressed their support for equality and have called for change. In a video, 2018 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes and several of his peers called on the league to “condemn racism and systemic oppression of blacks” and “admit they did not silence the players from protesting peaceably”.
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