(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
What’s up with Colin Kaepernick?
It’s a question that we’ve heard many times throughout the past football season. We first heard the question when Kaepernick was demoted from starter prior to the season, but the main situation in which we heard this question was concerning his decision to sit during the national anthem during two preseason games.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick famously told NFLinsider. He continued on to say that he had turned a blind eye to issues of police brutality too long, and he felt it was time to do something.
Following his statement, chaos erupted across the nation. 49ers fans filmed themselves burning Kaepernick’s jersey, and many fans said that not-standing for the anthem just wasn’t enough. They wanted him to take real action to create change for the oppressed people he was claiming to represent.
Unfortunately, much of the press coverage surrounding Kaepernick began and ended there. Aside from occasional situations when other athletes also took a stand, Kaepernick’s protest faded out of public talk. Therefore, it may come as a surprise to many that Kaepernick actually put his money where his mouth was, and started a the Colin Kaepernick Foundation.
For the foundation, Kaepernick made a $1 million dollar pledge to donated money to different causes and organizations around the country. So far, he has donated $400,000 to many worthy organizations including, the I Will Not Die Young campaign, the Mni Wiconi Health Clinic Partnership at Standing Rock, and the New York Center for Reproductive Rights.
In doing so Kaepernick has been able to help the young African Americans he first spoke of in his statement, but has also gone beyond his personal cause to help other oppressed groups of people.
Alongside financial contributions, Kaepernick also started up the Know Your Rights Camp, a free-camp for youth where he works with them to educate them on their rights, and the possibilities for their future.
Do you think Kaepernick has done enough? Find out more on his website Kaepernick7.com.
Catie Cheshire Staff Reporter