It’s NFL kickoff weekend, and thus a new chance for more of America to finally “get it” regarding Colin Kaepernick. Because, right now, a lot of this country just does not understand what this struggle is really about, and what the actual issues being brought to the market place of ideas truly are.
Nike’s selection of Kaepernick as the face of the 30th anniversary “Just do it” campaign is a step in the right direction, but it the advertisement falls well short of addressing the issues. At Lineups.com we penned a piece that highlights the facts surrounding Colin Kaepernick and eradicates the misnomers.
An excerpt is below, but you can read the whole piece over at this link.
Also, you really need to see this video produced by the Leadership Conference Education Fund embedded below. It shows solidarity with athletes who continue to kneel in protest of racial injustice.
The video recognizes the protest and patriotism that these athletes are demonstrating in raising concerns about racial inequality, mass incarceration, and other criminal justice issues that continue to disproportionately affect communities of color:
“We lift up the players who continue to kneel against injustice and demand a country where everyone can be safe and protected,” said Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference Education Fund. “These athletes are using their platforms in an unorthodox way, to spread the message against police brutality and mass incarceration, and to advocate for criminal justice reform – a key priority for our organization.
“The NFL and the players association should support athletes who use their platform to push for a more perfect union.”
Also, below is an excerpt from our essay at Lineups:
Fact: More of America agrees with Kaepernick’s ideals and stances than the media would have you believe
The media establishment has a truly fatal flaw in that they hold an impractical ideal of “presenting both sides” of an issue, even when one side is disconnected from reality. The media forces a narrative that focuses on division instead of unity.
The American Civil Liberties Union released public opinion polling a year ago showing consensus support for criminal justice reform across the ideological and political spectrum. The ACLU trumpets that two-thirds of Americans actually agree with Colin Kaepernick.
Only one in three Americans believe Black people are treated fairly by the criminal justice system.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Sound Cloud and YouTube. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to any and all of his.