by Jack Kerwin | ydkjack1@gmail.com
My two cents (and change) on the Colin Kaepernick hoopla …
Well, I think the San Francisco 49ers quarterback is a tool bag, a d-bag and any other bag you want to strap on him as a label – not because of what he is doing, but because I think he’s full of crap with why he’s saying he is doing it.
That he’s refusing to stand up and acknowledge the American flag during the playing of our nation’s anthem prior to NFL games as a statement for the oppressed, the downtrodden, the woebegone of this country, particularly those of color, because, in his eyes, those are the ones who have been held down the most in America.
To me, it is plain and simple that the guy is merely, knowingly or not, using this “act” as a pulpit to promote himself, to draw attention to himself – not others, and especially not those whom he says he is speaking on their behalf, because, frankly, he is far, far more removed from their realties than you, me or anyone else, regardless of color, who doesn’t travel around in circles inhabited by multi-millionaires and pampered to the nth degree like pro athletes.
But, here’s the thing, whether or not his motivation is right for doing so is immaterial. He has every right to do as he did the other night. Any time he so chooses.
That’s, uh, kinda what the country is founded on. Check out the first amendment. Free speech. This is him making a statement – and, by the way, he did so peacefully, by sitting down. He not only is allowed to do so, but encouraged to do so by our constitution.
Frankly, yes, it’s disappointing to me that he appears to be using this “sitdown” as a vehicle to hype himself. An other-worldly athletic talent who frustratingly finds himself teetering on the edge of the 49ers’ roster, unable to unseat Blaine Gabbert as the team’s starter, relegating him to backup status with a “must cut costs” price tag hanging over him, it seems an incredibly self-absorbed, or panicky, way of saying, “hey, look at me.”
I’d prefer him to be more proactive directly in helping others he feels need help, to be more up front about how he came to this point and how he admits to NOT really being one of those he is standing up for by not standing up despite his own trials and tribulations of coming from a broken, mixed-race home that saw his mother give up Kaepernick for adoption to a white couple, leading to a quality middle-life class for him to go along with the ability that fostered his rise to riches and success that very few can grasp, never mind attain.
Still, my preferences or not, doesn’t make him wrong for not standing up during the National Anthem.
Not even sure why we ever started that during sporting events in this country anyway. But that’s a debate take for another day …
My two cents (and change) on the Colin Kaepernick hoopla …
Well, I think the San Francisco 49ers quarterback is a tool bag, a d-bag and any other bag you want to strap on him as a label – not because of what he is doing, but because I think he’s full of crap with why he’s saying he is doing it.
That he’s refusing to stand up and acknowledge the American flag during the playing of our nation’s anthem prior to NFL games as a statement for the oppressed, the downtrodden, the woebegone of this country, particularly those of color, because, in his eyes, those are the ones who have been held down the most in America.
To me, it is plain and simple that the guy is merely, knowingly or not, using this “act” as a pulpit to promote himself, to draw attention to himself – not others, and especially not those whom he says he is speaking on their behalf, because, frankly, he is far, far more removed from their realties than you, me or anyone else, regardless of color, who doesn’t travel around in circles inhabited by multi-millionaires and pampered to the nth degree like pro athletes.
But, here’s the thing, whether or not his motivation is right for doing so is immaterial. He has every right to do as he did the other night. Any time he so chooses.
That’s, uh, kinda what the country is founded on. Check out the first amendment. Free speech. This is him making a statement – and, by the way, he did so peacefully, by sitting down. He not only is allowed to do so, but encouraged to do so by our constitution.
Frankly, yes, it’s disappointing to me that he appears to be using this “sitdown” as a vehicle to hype himself. An other-worldly athletic talent who frustratingly finds himself teetering on the edge of the 49ers’ roster, unable to unseat Blaine Gabbert as the team’s starter, relegating him to backup status with a “must cut costs” price tag hanging over him, it seems an incredibly self-absorbed, or panicky, way of saying, “hey, look at me.”
I’d prefer him to be more proactive directly in helping others he feels need help, to be more up front about how he came to this point and how he admits to NOT really being one of those he is standing up for by not standing up despite his own trials and tribulations of coming from a broken, mixed-race home that saw his mother give up Kaepernick for adoption to a white couple, leading to a quality middle-life class for him to go along with the ability that fostered his rise to riches and success that very few can grasp, never mind attain.
Still, my preferences or not, doesn’t make him wrong for not standing up during the National Anthem.
Not even sure why we ever started that during sporting events in this country anyway. But that’s a debate take for another day …
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