San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to not stand for the national anthem before games has caused debate in America. During the team’s most recent matches, Kaepernick has either sat down or kneeled during the anthem to protest against racial injustices in the country. Now other sports stars have joined in the protest, including American soccer player Megan Rapinoe.
On Friday 26th August at a game in San Francisco, Kaepernick sat on the bench during the performance of “The Star Spangled Banner”. He clarified his reasons with NFL Media. “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour,” Kaepernick said. “There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
Kaepernick has received criticism from some, mainly on the grounds that his protest is disrespectful to the military. A union for police officers in San Francisco wrote a letter to the 49ers saying if the team’s management did not discipline Kaepernick they would boycott the stadium and refuse to work.
On Thursday September 1 in San Diego, Kaepernick and teammate Eric Reid kneeled for the anthem. They decided to kneel instead of sit because they felt it would be more respectful to those who were offended by the protest.
Kaepernick said he will continue kneeling for the national anthem until he sees some “significant change” in US race relations.
On Sunday September 4, American soccer player Megan Rapione kneeled during the national anthem. Rapinoe said it was “very intentional” and a “nod to Kaepernick”. “We need to have a more thoughtful, two-sided conversation about racial issues in this country.”
Naturally, political reaction to the situation has been mixed. When asked for comment, President Barack Obama said he respected Kaepernick’s decision. “Maybe his critics will start seeing that he has a point around certain concerns about justice and equality and that’s how we move forward,” he said. “Sometimes it’s messy, but that’s how democracy works.”
On the other side of the spectrum, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said he thought Kaepernick’s protest was a “terrible thing” and that he should “find a country that works better for him.”