Today GQ magazine named Colin Kaepernick their citizen of the year, and as expected, conservatives were up in arms. FOX News contributor Todd Starnes wrote an article calling Kaepernick and those that have followed his lead cowards. Of course, one could surmise that neither Starnes nor any of his families or friends have been subject to the social injustice that Is the real reason for the protest. I doubt Starnes or any of his families or friends have had to worry when pulled over for a routine traffic stop. His article today showed a complete lack of understanding of what it means to be a citizen or the very real problems people of color in this country have to face every day. His article is an example of what too many Americans would rather do, especially when it comes to race, which is to turn a blind eye to the real problems and instead focus on the false narrative pushed by the President and thus have a reason to hate those who would dare take a stance against social injustice. As Thomas Jefferson said:
It has been a source of great pain to me to have met with so many among our opponents who had not the liberality to distinguish between political & social opposition, who transferred at once to the person the hatred they bore to his political opinions.
Let’s dissect a few statements from Mr. Starnes’ article today.
Todd Starnes states – Mr. Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, was responsible for starting a national movement to protest the Star Spangled Banner by taking a knee along the sideline.
Wrong – Kaepernick was never protesting the Star-Spangled Banner. He was protesting police brutality. His exact words, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. This is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
Todd Starnes states – They said they were protesting alleged racial inequality and police brutality. Still, it’s pretty clear to most of the country that Mr. Kaepernick and his minions were dishonoring the flag, the anthem, and the military.
Wrong – It’s only apparent to those who never have to worry about being victimized by social injustices, including veterans of color who deal with the same issues as any other person of color despite their military service. It’s only apparent to people who fell for the false narrative being pushed by the President. For everyone else, it clear that there is still a problem with race and a few members, not the many but the few, of law enforcement who abuse their power. Abuse that has led to the deaths of people of color. Until those few are dealt with, they will continue to be a stain on the many good men and women in law enforcement and remain an imminent danger to all people of color.
Todd Starnes states that kneeling is disrespecting our military and an act of cowardice.
Wrong – I’ve already disputed the false narrative that the protests have anything to do with disrespecting our military as for speaking out against social injustice at the risk of your livelihood, as Kaepernick has done is far from an act of cowardice. It is, in fact, the very essence of what a citizen is. As Thomas Jefferson wrote, “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent,”
Sadly Todd Starnes appears to another of the many false patriots poisoning our country today. Contend to chant USA and wrap themselves up in the flag while turning a blind eye to the very values of America.