I do not watch American football, yet I have incredible admiration for Colin Kaepernick. As many, I have been profoundly touched by the strength he showed the entire world by kneeing during pre-game national anthems in form of protest against police brutality. When many call him a disgrace, an entitled star and as the NFL is deliberately attempting to sabotage his career, it felt critical to show the incredible activist side of this brave individual. Make no mistake: Colin Kaepernick is an actual patriot and an American hero.

COLIN KAEPERNICK IS AN EXAMPLE OF PATRIOTISM

That’s right. I said it, and I’ll say it again: Colin Kaepernick is an actual patriot. Unlike many of his dissidents, the man truly loves America and Americans. Because this is what it is all about. Love. The definition of patriotism, according to Merriam Webster is, “love for or devotion to one’s country”. When a lot of people saw entitlement and arrogance through Colin’s actions, they fail to acknowledge the bravery it takes to act this way. Without a doubt, Kaepernick knew the controversy it would create, but he did it anyway to highlight the obvious issues of police brutality in America. Because he LOVES America. This is the most selfless act someone could ever take. And let’s remind ourselves that by exercising this form of protest, a peaceful protest, Kaepernick is simply exercising his right according the First Amendment of the constitution.

Amendment I. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

AN INCREDIBLE ACTIVIST FOR AMERICAN YOUTH AND OPPRESSED COMMUNITIES

The main issue is that so many people are blind-sided by the “knee” situation that they fail to look at anything else. No, Colin Kaepernick is not insulting veterans or Americans when he chose to protest. If you get down to it, aside from the high symbolism of it all, all we are talking about here is a song and a piece of cloth. Now, if you want to talk about real actions that matter you would be interested to know that Colin Kaepernick is an incredible activist. That’s right. He is not just another entitled “baller” disconnected from reality. Kaepernick started a Million Dollar Pledge, where Colin pledged, according to his website to donate $1 million to oppressed communities.

“I will donate one million dollars plus all the proceeds of my jersey sales from the 2016 season to organizations working in oppressed communities, 100k a month for 10 months.” Colin Kaepernick

On his official website, you can actually see where the money is going and how much was donated for what purpose, month by month. In some of the causes he donated, you will find amongst others: 

A post shared by colin kaepernick (@kaepernick7) on

Not only is he supporting oppressed communities, Kaepernick started the KNOW YOUR RIGHTS CAMP, “a free campaign for youth fully funded by Colin Kaepernick to raise awareness on higher education, self empowerment, and instruction to properly interact with law enforcement in various scenarios.” The goal of this campaign aimed for young people, is to “To help build a stronger generation of people that will create the change that is much needed in this world.”  The campaign articulates around the ten following rights:
  1. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE FREE.
  2. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE HEALTHY.
  3. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE BRILLIANT.
  4. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE SAFE.
  5. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE LOVED.
  6. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE COURAGEOUS.
  7. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE ALIVE.
  8. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE TRUSTED.
  9. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE EDUCATED.
  10. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.

THE HYPOCRISY OF CORRUPTED PATRIOTISM MUST STOP

Whether you like it or not, dear “patriot” this is who Colin Kapernick is: a true American hero who makes an impact with his influence and live a life of purpose beside adoring a flag which values you seem to ignore. I just want to make it very clear that this is not a diss against veterans at all who, so many times, pay the highest price defending “democracy” in some obscure region of the world. This is in particular in response to the bigots, the ignorants, the hypocrites, especially mainstream media and the NFL: you are more to blame than the average Joe watching football on his underpants and spitting his hate when Kaepernick boycotts the anthem. Why don’t you show people the entire story of Colin Kaepernick? Why do you marginalize him? One must wonder your agenda when a clean and objective look on Kaepernick’s life is given. In the meantime, I hope Colin will continue his fight with grace and strength, perfectly represented on this Beats by Dre commercial from 2013. An ad that today seems visionary.

CREDIT HEADER PICTURE: ASSOCIATED PRESS