This sentiment has not been more prevalent than has been in the celebrity circle of people who have voiced their opinion on Kaepernick. On one side, you have people like Spike Lee, J. Cole, and former football star turned analyst Shannon Sharpe who have publicly supported Kaepernick. On the other side, you have people like Jim Brown, Ray Lewis, and Stephan A. Smith who haven’t been fully supportive of his cause. In both the general consensus and the Black experience, the issue has been cut and dry. Either you are with him or you are against him. Either you support the bullshit that goes on in this country or you down for the fight to change it.
The question I have for the Black people in this matter can be phrased by an Andre 3000 rhyme. “Is every nigga with dreads for the cause?”/ Is every nigga with gold for the fall?”/ Naw. So don’t get caught up in appearance.”
In other words; is it that simple? Does every Black person who doesn’t believe that protesting, marching, or going against the system is the answer for justice against the struggle? And is every person who screams Black Power, and holds up signs at protest rallies for the cause? I think not. A lot of times, the people you least expect in the Black community, are the most to help it. Sometimes people are less vocal and have a different method of accomplishing their goals of giving back. By the same token, a lot of people who you think will never sell out their community, be on the sidelines kissing ass better than your best sell-out. Sometimes perception is stronger than reality.