Colin Kaepernick's Right to Ignorance

Let me say right up front, my apologies if the title to this blog sounds a little harsh.  For whatever its worth, I’ve toned it down a bit.  My original title idea was Colin Kaepernick’s right to be a stupid idiot.  I’ll start by saying everyone gets that he has the right to sit down during the national anthem.  I don’t know of a single person who doesn’t fully believe in the first amendment.  So there is no argument here, or anywhere that I’m aware of, saying Kaepernick doesn’t have the right to sit.  My argument is that he reveals his ignorance in doing so.  I’m quite sure his heart is in the right place and he thinks he is doing a good thing drawing attention to a social problem in our country.  He rightly believes that black lives matter and he also believes there are some police officers who don’t feel that way who have oppressed and even killed black people.  Now Colin and I might have a quibble or two over how much good the black lives matter movement is doing but that’s not the point.  Even if I agreed with him 100% about the state of black lives and policing in our country I still think he is wrong to sit during the national anthem.  If I could talk to him face to face this is what I would say.

You know what Colin?  Our country is not perfect. There are all kinds of issues where we could do better.  For you; you’re upset over a tiny minority of police officers who have killed black people while in the line of duty.  You don’t seem to be upset over white people who have been killed by police, but I guess that’s another argument for another day.  But either way, sometimes cops screw up.  You have that right to be upset and speak out about that.  Just like everyone else has a right to be upset and speak out about what upsets them.  People who are pro-life and believe life starts at conception have the right to be upset and speak out about those millions of innocent lives lost in our country.  People who want to see an end to the abuse of animals have a right to be upset and speak out against abuse and killing of animals.  People who believe we might be sending our children and grandchildren to an early grave because of global warming have a right to be upset and speak out about that. People have a right to be upset and speak out about human trafficking, and drug pushers, and pedophiles, and…… well you get the idea Colin.  There’s no shortage of issues in our country.  So if this is your issue Colin, then more power to you.  You just chose the wrong way to speak out and in doing so you showed your ignorance.  Because when you sit down during the national anthem, the issue is no longer about black lives mattering, the issue is now about disrespecting your country.  It’s about disrespecting the lives lost of those who would fight for your freedom in so many wars over the years. It’s about disrespecting a land that even with all its faults is still the best at giving all of its people opportunity.  You, a millionaire athlete of all things should get that.  Don’t you think it’s a little odd that you are the only one doing this?  With all those issues people have to get upset about that I mentioned earlier, you are still the only one who chooses to sit for the National Anthem.  Do you think your issue is somehow more important?  You are not the only athlete who has ever cared about a cause.  And yet still, all the rest stand.  It’s because they get it, and they are thankful to live in the United States of America.  And they can promote their cause in interviews, and press room conferences, and blog posts, and social media, to name just a few.  And so can you Colin. You can make your point without disrespecting our country.  But it’s up to you.  It’s your right to sit or to stand.  Just know that the more you choose to sit, the more respect you will lose, and less good you will do for your cause.