Kaepernick’s Cry for Help: “Are We Asking the Right Questions?” by Greg Calvaire

Facebook post by Elmont Class of 2007 alum, Greg Calvaire:

Colin Kaepernick…NFL Quarterback. I just want to take a second to address Colin’s decision to boycott the national anthem in disdain for the police brutality in our country, in particular to[wards] blacks/minorities.

A lot of people feel that Colin is being selfish and contradicting himself by enjoying the fruits of a supposedly oppressive state. In many ways, his protest can certainly be viewed as a contradiction of sorts.

But, [here] you have a millionaire athlete risking his job, his endorsements, [and] future salary to make a stand on what he feels is an epidemic in this country. I don’t necessarily see how this is construed as selfish. Selfish would be to apologize for the boycott, tuck his feelings in and keep towing the line for [future] contract after contract.

Also, Colin’s actions have created more commentary from non-minorities than any of the police killings of unarmed men that we’ve seen in the past year alone.

How did we get to the point where we will defend a flag…an inanimate object more than we defend the lives of young minorities being mishandled by the police due to some kind of stereotype they’ve formed?

Why don’t people start asking the right question: what has disgusted a bi-racial, millionaire athlete in his prime to the point that he is willing to isolate himself and risk his career to make a stand? THAT is our biggest problem today.

There are millions of people who feel like this and don’t know how to get everyone’s attention. It feels like no one is listening or no one cares.

This is Colin’s cry for help. I respect it…and I’d love for us to start discussing how we can stop young men from feeling this way in America today.

 

 

Last thought: When Muhammad Ali refused to serve in the army, I’m sure it disrespected many of those putting their lives on the lines but he risked his career, lost his title all to preserve his principles as a man and I think that symbol went a long way in the long term.

Thanks to Elmont grad, Greg Calvaire, for allowing us to share this thought-provoking post!