In an email, he said he was also exhausted of people using veterans to argue against Kaepernick’s stance, “especially when that flag and anthem has been racist towards people historically, treated Veterans like crap in the past and now, and in some cases [using] us as a vehicle for their ignorant agendas”. Kaepernick told the press he was speaking for the voiceless victims who have been oppressed by racism. Local war veterans in San Francisco criticized him as a poor role model, according to CNN affiliate KRON.
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
In another corner, some – including activists and National Basketball Association great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – have praised him for bringing awareness to a major issue. Think of how much attention Kaepernick commanded nationwide when he refused to stand for the national anthem.
“It’s a misconception that every military member is furious at what his protest when there are those that are proud”.
Americans who serve in the military are by no means a monolithic group.
Less than one-third of the USA military identify as minorities (Blacks, Asians, American Indian, etc) and 12% are Hispanic, according to a 2014 demographics report of the military community.
“We as service members take an oath to defend the Constitution and all that it stands for”.
A man describing himself as an Air Force veteran wrote: “I’m with @Kaepernick7. That includes everyone’s right to stand up for what they believe in, whether it’s popular or not”, she said. “It makes us better & smarter”.
Love for America and the freedoms our soldiers died for is one thing, but condemning someone for expressing disagreement with the government goes against what American soldiers fight for. “@Kaepernick7 is an American hero”.
“I stand and show respect for it, but he has the right to do what he wishes and I respect that”, Swain said.
“This country stands for liberty, freedom, justice for all”.
Kaepernick came under fire this past week when he stayed seated during the playing of the national anthem before a 49ers preseason game.
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The San Diego Chargers will celebrate the 28th Annual Salute to the Military, paying tribute to hundreds of thousands of current and retired military personnel who live and work in San Diego, when they host the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Sept. 1 at Qualcomm Stadium.
