All too often I hear the remarks from those around our country in protest of Colin Kaepernick’s protest of unlawful police brutality. Those who have condemned the NFL player claim that they are simply expressing their patriotism or love of their country. Well, no longer am I accepting anyone’s claim of patriotism in opposition to Colin Kaepernick’s first amendment right of freedom of expression.
For those of you that have been on a current-event fast, allow me update you. Colin Kaepernick is a San Francisco 49ers football player for the National Football League of the United States who identifies himself as an African American male. He recently decided to kneel during the national anthem during his first game of the season. Since doing so, he’s received an impeccable amount of backlash both on and off the field. A large majority of those that disagree with Kaepernick’s protest have decided that he lacks patriotism and is a disgrace to the American brand.
I found myself perplexed and wordless as I listened to the public condemnation Kaepernick met. Patriotism is the very motive Mr. Kaepernick is subjected to as he demonstrates his first amendment right to express himself freely. Patriotism is the very reason Mr. Kaepernick feels compelled to use his public platform to advocate for the voiceless. Patriotism if we aren’t careful can become Paintiotism whereby individuals of a country become so blinded by patriotism that they begin to ignore and intentionally support practices that prove detrimental and disadvantaging to some by painting this illusion of a perfect world.
I glossed over the dictionary and read that Patriotism is defined as an emotional attachment to a nation which an individual recognizes as their homeland. This attachment, also known as national feeling or national pride, can be viewed in terms of different features relating to one’s own nation, including ethnic, cultural, political or historical aspects. I must pose then, isn’t Kaepernick’s love for his homeland, his culture and his society evident in his taking a knee in support of the unarmed African American males that have died at the hands of law enforcement?
Regardless of your answer, I challenge all American citizens to become as outraged whenever an unarmed (statistically Black) male is shot and killed at the hands of law enforcement officers as we do whenever a professional athlete (statistically Black) takes a knee!
*this piece was written & submitted to the b log by Miss Mynesha Spencer. If you’d like to contribute a piece of your work to the blog, please send us an email.
Queens Do Things Inc. 
Very nice. I agree it’s crazy. I actually don’t have pride and dont love this country. I did before but I was blind. How are we free if my people, if i, or if my son are not safe. Not safe walking, not safe driving. Serve and protect has turned into stop and kill.
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It’s a blessing that you’ve come to a realization that has allowed room for a paradigm shift. There are so many people afraid of seeing the truth that stares back at them each day, b/c it’s comfortable to function within the master’s framework…. it takes kingdom/queendom minded individual to face reality, make changes, and create functions that are conducive to their progress and purpose. Us as people of color don’t have a safe space in this country. . . we’ve got to #staywoke. Thanks for sharing king, be encouraged !
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Excellently, Eloquently, and Very Truthfully said my LADY/ESQUIRE BOOSKI! I Totally Agree! For far too long the very things that this country was built upon is the very samethings used to ‘try’ to silence Truth. Murder, manipulation, discrimination, dehumanization, deceit, thief, slavery and rewriting of history. This is what was and is still going on in this country; now it is just in the form of legalized capitalism. The prison system is now the new legalized slave trade. Also the law enforcement and judicial system are working together to systematically murder and permanently remove Our Kings, Queens, Princes, and Princess from Our Families and Communities. And it seems as if this country does not care at all; it’s because this country is more concerned about hypocrisy and rhetoric such as patriotism. When the last time I checked GOD is the ONLY one who has the Authority to kill anyone who He feels like; but He’s not doing that. So why does law enforcement think they have the right or authority to do so, because of racism? They are breaking the law, and are murderers, period. Kaepernick is doing something noble, and is standing up for justice for those who have been killed in hate. Anyone who is speaking out against Him is in agreement with the hate that He is speaking out against. And that might make them a racist just like those same murderers of so many of Our People. What Are Your Lens Showing You About The Truth?!
Keep Everyone Awoke and Their Minds Elevated, I Love You Much, Pops.
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