The truth is, at some point in our adult life we have to make these decisions. Maybe not on the scale that Kaepernick has made, but nonetheless you have a choice. Do you cut those braids, and stop sagging those pants when you go on an job interview? Do you accept a job of being the “token” Black at a company who is just trying to diversify its staff? Do you use the same dialect at work that you do around your friends; or do you exercise “Proper English?” It is easy to sit and type powerful words inside meme’s on social media. But for the most part, the majority of us Black folks are not going to get our hands dirty and go on the front lines the way Kaepernick did. There were no other NFL players at his rally to get him back in the league. There were no big name celebrities showing up at the rally. People talk a good game, but a lot of folks are not going to risk their jobs and finances for a cause.
From an individual standpoint, Kaepernick made a sacrifice. Unfortunately, speaking up for Black liberation can be severe for Black celebrities who choose to do so. When you decide to take a stand, you have to understand the consequences. Former NBA star Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf went though the situation as Colin Kaepernick. In 1996, Rauf chose not to stand up for the National Anthem based on religious beliefs and his disagreement with what the American flag represented. “You can’t be for God and for oppression” Rauf said in regards to his protest. The year after he chose to protest, Rauf was exile from the NBA. “It’s a process of just trying to weed you out. This is what I feel is going to happen to [Kaepernick],” Abdul-Rauf said about the quarterback. He continued by saying “It’s kind of like a setup,”… “You know, trying to set you up to fail and so when they get rid of you, they can blame it on that as opposed to, it was really because he took these positions. They don’t want these type of examples to spread, so they’ve got to make an example of individuals like this.”
Keep in mind, Rauf was the same age as Kaepernick is right now [29] when he got booted from the NBA. He was young and still had the talent to play the game. This holds true for Kaepernick also. Many people point out that he threw 16 touchdowns and only had 4 interceptions last season for the 49er’s. But it doesn’t matter, football is not the issue here. The powers that be want to make an example out of Kaepernick of what to do and what not to say. So despite the support, the rallies, and the threat of boycotting games; I don’t think he will play this season. Maybe in the future, but not this season.