An Open Letter To Colin Kaepernick

Dear Mr. Kaepernick:

Your refusal to stand during the playing of the national anthem, is a classless gesture that underscores your ignorance.  Despite my personal feelings, I will defend your right to air your grievances, even though I disagree with your methods.

You claim you are protesting the oppression of African-Americans. That is a noble cause, but you are an odd spokesperson, considering your enormous personal forture.  Although you are only 28 years old, you are playing professional football for an annual salary of $19 million.

When you entered the National Football League, you signed a six-year deal worth $114 million.  You pocketed a signing bonus of $12,328,766. Your generous contract guarantees you $61 million, even if you never toss another pass for the San Francisco Forty-Niners.

Don't get me wrong. I applaud your financial bonanza. But I wonder how wealth qualifies you to speak on behalf of an African-American, living in the slums, hand-to-mouth, afraid to walk the mean streets.  Can you really identify with the struggles of the average black person?

Let me make it clear.  Just because you are wealthy doesn't mean you forfeit your right to speak for the less fortunate.  There are many wealthy people making a difference in healing the racial divide. But none of them, as far as I know, take a knee during the playing of the national anthem.  

Perhaps, you are feeling a little guilty.  After all, your enormous wealth makes you immune to the sufferings of someone chained to the ghetto by failed government programs.  If you truly want to fix the problem, there are many things you could do to help.

That's why it seems strange that you elected to show your disapproval by thumbing your nose at our national anthem. Do you even know the background of the "Star Spangled Banner"?  What does it have to do with racial oppression?

An American lawyer named Francis Scott Key penned a poem in 1814 during the Battle of Baltimore, which eventually became known as the "Star Spangled Banner."  President Herbert Hoover led the effort to declare the song our nation's anthem in 1931.

The anthem was written during the War of 1812 against the British, who burned down the White House in an act of gratuitous aggression.  The war had nothing to do with slavery, although there were slaves in the country at that time.  The anthem celebrates the American spirit, not slavery.

I would have more respect for you if you had announced you were funding a foundation to aid African-Americans who lack the financial resources to go to college. Or if you vowed to create after-school programs for inner city youth.  Or you worked to end black-on-black crime.  

Those are the actions of someone who wants to fix the problem. Kneeling during the national anthem doesn't help black people one iota. It does, however, put a glaring spotlight on you. If that's what you wanted, you have succeeded.  But you have failed to do a darn thing about oppression.

That's why I disagree with President Obama and others who claim it takes courage to refuse to stand for the national anthem.  Nonsense. Anyone can do that.  It requires commitment to take a stand and back it up with actions that will make a difference.  That's real courage.

President John F. Kennedy said it best.  "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." You are a beneficiary of American freedom, but what are you willing to do in return?  Kneel. Really?  That's it.  That's your answer?

Unfortunately, your protest has done more to widen the chasm between the races.  To many of us, your refusal feels like a giant middle finger against patriotism.  Now that other black players have followed your lead, this has done nothing but escalate tension between the races.

You have made this a black versus white issue, since the charge of racism by its nature smears all whites as haters.  There is no question racism exists in America and worldwide.  But so does anti-Semitism. You can add to that list people who dislike Christians, atheists, Asians and Hispanics.

But the haters are in the minority.  The vast majority of Americans pursue harmony with their neighbors, regardless of color, creed or religion. Still, we can agree that racism, sexism and all the other ism's need to be eradicated. You will get no argument from me or most Americans.

That's why dishonoring the national anthem is an senseless gesture that angers many.  Do you recall September 11, 2001?  After the terrorist attacks, all Americans, black and white, rallied behind their country. The playing of the "Star Spangled Banner" united all Americans.

Apparently, many Americans are offended by your actions.  Ratings for NFL games are down for the first time in decades.  Some research suggests fans are turning off their televisions to send a message to the players and the owners.  They want to watch football without the racial bellyaching.      

I ask you to please reconsider your form of protest, not your principles. Because when your 15 minutes of fame fades and your football skills erode, you will just be another unhappy, unemployed multi-millionaire. Still, not a bad life for someone concerned about oppression.

Sincerely,

Drew A. Roy