Feeling Oppressed

San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Colin Kaepernick generated a lot of headlines when he refused to stand for the National Anthem. In his own words, he did not want to “show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color”.

Regardless of whether people agree or disagree with his action, they must recognize his constitutional right to do what he did. The First Amendment allows speech that many find repugnant. I applaud the 49ers’ for respecting his rights when doing otherwise would likely get broad support.

While he is certainly entitled to his opinion, I find it somewhat unusual. If this country is so oppressive, how did we manage to elect a black president? Utah, a state with very few blacks, sent a black woman to congress. A number of Fortune 500 companies are headed by blacks. We certainly have come a long way in the last fifty years.
Since whites have been the “oppressors” he must not like them very much. I wonder if his list of evil whites includes his birth mother, adoptive parents, coaches, teammates and an organization that gave him a $114 million contract.

I would understand if someone trying to survive in a ghetto talks about being oppressed. However, a rich, pampered athlete doesn’t get my sympathy.
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