This Veteran Crushes Every Argument Against Quarterback Colin Kaepernick

As someone who enlisted in the U.S Air Force at 19, after flunking out of college; I can tell you, most black people aren’t in the military because they love this country. They’re there because they effed up and are going away to reinvent themselves, they grew up in the hood and there was limited/no other opportunities, or they need money for college — ergo Montgomery GI Bill.

So, let’s stop with the “you’re disrespecting other black people who fought for your freedom by not standing or placing your hand over your heart during the National Anthem” rhetoric.

First of all, the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner — as penned by Francis Scott Key from “Defence of Fort M’Henry” were written in 1814. Slavery was still on and popping. So, we’re supposed to be in awe of this great land, and all its opportunities–when black people were still slaves at the time?

Secondly. Exactly which war was fought on behalf of the freedom of black people? At its core, the Civil War was fought over state autonomy and state vs federal authority…not freeing slaves. According to the 1857 Dred Scott decision, no person with African blood could become a U.S. citizen. This wasn’t even even 200 years ago, folks.

Thirdly. Where was all this false patriotism when my uncles and other black men returned from the Vietnam War and were booed and spat on? Can you imagine what it must’ve been like to be drafted into a war, experience racism from racist superiors, be exposed to Agent Orange, and return to systemic racism, and oppression in a country you just “fought for”?

Suddenly, we’re “unpatriotic” and a “stupid nigger” if we don’t want to pledge allegiance to an inanimate object or stand in awe of a song professing of “the land of the free” when this country was built on the free-labored backs of the our ancestors? Seriously?

Furthermore, “Fighting for freedom” is an oxymoron and the greatest lie ever sold. If this is the greatest country in the world, why do we need to invade other countries to attain freedom? Wars are started over control of money, oil, gold, and opium poppy fields. Period.

No one is hurting or disrespecting anyone by not standing at attention or saluting this BS.
americannewsx.com

Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar weighed in on the controversy surrounding Colin Kaepernick's decision to sit out the national anthem in an op-ed published today in The Washington Post, portraying the athlete's protest as "highly patriotic."

"What should horrify Americans is not Kaepernick’s choice to remain seated during the national anthem, but that nearly 50 years after [Muhammad] Ali was banned from boxing for his stance and Tommie Smith and John Carlos’s raised fists caused public ostracization and numerous death threats, we still need to call attention to the same racial inequities," Abdul-Jabbar wrote, referencing prominent protests by black athletes that were once considered controversial, but have now become iconic symbols of the U.S. civil rights movement.

Abdul-Jabbar's defense of Kaepernick comes amid growing pushback against the quarterback's actions.
abcnews.go.com

Republican nominee Donald Trump said Monday that "maybe [Kaepernick] should find a country that works better for him," and fans posted videos of themselves burning Kaepernick jerseys and other memorabilia on social media.

Abdul-Jabbar, a NBA Hall of Fame center who starred for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, and holds the league record for points scored, blocks and MVP awards, certainly adds stature to those defending Kaepernick's protest.



Previously, the most vocal defenders had been activists like Black Lives Matter advocate and New York Daily News columnist Shaun King.

The retired NBA star, 69, noted in his column the degree to which Kaepernick took on a financial risk by speaking up for his beliefs, and compared him to Army Reserve 2nd Lt. Sam Kendricks who, while competing in Rio, stopped short while pole-vaulting to honor the national anthem.

Abdul-Jabbar wrote that both athletes made a sacrifice.

"What makes an act truly patriotic and not just lip-service is when it involves personal risk or sacrifice. Both Kendricks and Kaepernick chose to express their patriotism publicly because they felt that inspiring others was more important than the personal cost," he said.

He also portrayed the matter as a non-partisan issue, suggesting that a discussion around Kaepernick comes at a time when "Trump and Clinton supporters each righteously claiming ownership of the ‘most patriotic’ label."

Abdul-Jabbar is no stranger to commenting on political matters, and is widely regarded as liberal. He regularly contributes opinion pieces on issues of race and religion to The Washington Post and The Huffington Post.

He disappointed some progressives by endorsing Hillary Clinton in advance of the New York primaries in April in an op-ed for The Washington Post in which he praised Sanders' "dedication to the welfare of all Americans," but said he preferred Clinton, whom he called a "proven warrior."



Abdul-Jabbar was born in New York City, and first emerged as a high school basketball star there.

In 1967, Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor, participated in what is known as “the summit,” which was a news conference lending support to Muhammad Ali's decision to protest the Vietnam War.

NBA legend Bill Russell and NFL star Jim Brown were among the other notable attendees of the 1967 news conference.

New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony referenced “the summit” in an Instagram post in July, calling for fellow athletes to join in similar protests surrounding the police shooting deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.

Donald Trump has repeatedly said that the United States is no longer a great country — in fact, he’s repeatedly said that we’re like a third-world nation.  Despite this, Trump seems awfully offended that 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is refusing to stand during the national anthem to protest police brutality against black people.

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Obama Said Kaepernick Is 'Exercising His Constitutional Right'

"I don't doubt his sincerity," Obama said of Kaepernick, before going on to say generating conversation on the topic was positive.