October 5, 2016
Page 7
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O PINION
Divergent Views with Racial Underpinnings
Kaepernick’s
right to
self-expression
M arC h. M orial
Social protest is a
fundamental element
of American democ-
racy. The right to
self-expression, the
right to dissent, and
the right to confront
those in authority with
ones grievances are enshrined in
the Constitution.
Thus, San Francisco 49er
Colin Kaepernick’s decision to
protest police violence against
African Americans by declining
to stand for the National Anthem
is a profoundly patriotic act.
While we live in the same
country, the reality of day-to-
day life for white and black
Americans can be vastly differ-
ent. Most black men and women
in America know the humilia-
tion of being targeted – by po-
lice, by store clerks, by security
officers - for nothing more than
by
their appearance. Black children
are viewed as older and more
responsible for their actions
than white children of the same
age. From minor offenses like
being bypassed by a taxicab to
the overwhelmingly racial-
ly skewed criminal justice
system, the experiences of
black Americans simply are
not the same for whites.
A majority of African
Americans support Kaeper-
nick’s choice, while a ma-
jority of whites do not. Ac-
cording to an informal Twitter
poll the National Urban League
conducted among our followers,
an overwhelming 88 percent say
they are proud of Kaepernick.
Some white football fans,
meanwhile, have burned Kaeper-
nick’s jersey and have engaged
in hateful racial invective on so-
cial media.
The divergent views on
Kaepernick’s action reflect the
divergent views on the very rea-
son for his protest – the use of
excessive and fatal force by po-
lice, disproportionately directed
at people of color, and the failure
of authorities to hold officers ac-
countable for misconduct.
According to a recent survey,
the vast majority white Amer-
icans hold a favorable view of
police, while a slight majority
of black Americans hold an un-
favorable view. A majority of
whites believe police generally
are held accountable for their
misconduct, and a majority of
blacks believe they are not. A
majority of black respondents
said police are too quick to use
lethal force, while most white
respondents said police only use
lethal force when necessary.
While I myself will continue to
stand for the National Anthem, I
support his right to protest. And
while I wholeheartedly share
Kaepernick’s despair over exces-
sive force and the failure to hold
police accountable, I would sup-
port his protest even if I did not.
Despite the outrage Kaeper-
nick’s protest has raised, he has
ignited a movement of sorts.
Since Kaepernick since first de-
clined refused to stand in late
August, 22 NFL players have
joined his protest, as have ath-
letes in high schools, youth
leagues, and colleges all across
the country.
It’s interesting to note that,
while no white NFL player has
yet joined the protest, many
of the high school and college
students protesting are white.
Young people have the power
to change the future, and it is
encouraging that their eyes are
open to the racism and injustice
many of their elders seem un-
able to see.
It is not merely Kaepernick’s
right to register his discontent
with the status quo. Some would
argue it is a moral imperative.
As Abraham Lincoln said, “To
sin by silence when they should
protest makes cowards of men.”
Marc H. Morial is president
and chief executive officer of the
National Urban League.
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Attorney at Law
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