In Our View: Sitting Down Takes a Stand

Colin Kaepernick has every right to refuse to stand for “The Star-Spangled Banner” — and the public has every right to vilify him for it.

Kaepernick, a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, has made news by taking a seat during the national anthem before a preseason game last week. And that news has mostly been filled with criticism for the 28-year-old. “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 told the NFL Network. “To me this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.”

The issue is, indeed, bigger than football. And it warrants a well-reasoned discussion.

“The Star-Spangled Banner” traditionally is played before sporting events. Players and fans typically stand at attention, with many placing their hands over the hearts and/or singing along with the words penned by Francis Scott Key in 1814. The show of respect, for most adherents, is designed to demonstrate gratefulness for a nation that allows them to participate in the fun and games that sports represent — and for many Americans it is a basic show of patriotism loyalty to the United States.

Because of that, Kaepernick’s choice to not stand has been viewed in many circles as disrespectful. Alex Boone of the Minnesota Vikings, a former teammate of Kaepernick’s, said “It’s hard for me, because my brother was a Marine, and he lost a lot of friends over there. That flag obviously gives (Kaepernick) the right to do whatever he wants. I understand it. At the same time, you should have some (expletive) respect for people who served, especially people that lost their life to protect our freedom.” Meanwhile, many 49ers fans have posted videos of burning Kaepernick jerseys, and social media has been filled with outrage lobbed toward the quarterback.

Responses often have focused upon the fact that Kaepernick has a six-year contract worth $19 million a year, suggesting that it is disingenuous for a biracial millionaire raised by white adoptive parents to say that minorities are oppressed in American society. This conclusion is misguided. There is a biblical adage that, “To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.” Kaepernick’s status as a wealthy and visible public figure does not mitigate his responsibility to speak out against perceived injustices, it amplifies that responsibility. It is the duty of those who have been afforded with a public platform to speak out on behalf of those who are invisible to the rest of society.

That being said, Kaepernick’s choice of when and where to make a political statement is deserving of criticism. The National Anthem traditionally is one area in which a vast majority of Americans can agree, providing a two-minute reflection of what this nation stands for and demonstrating appreciation for those who have defended the freedoms we enjoy. In taking a stand by sitting during the anthem, Kaepernick focused a spotlight on himself at a time when it was important to demonstrate solidarity with his team.

His action has generated much discussion, but it primarily is discussion about Kaepernick’s decision rather than the issues he is attempting to bring to the forefront. In so doing, he distracted from the point he was trying to make. Once the vitriol has died down, we hope that the public can discuss the substance of Kaepernick’s action rather than the style of it.