The Curious Complexity of the Colin Kaepernick Case
R. Nicholas Evans
Mesa Legend
If you know it or not, racism is human nature. An evolutionary tool for survival. No matter where you travel, you’ll find it: Asia, Europe, Africa, South and North America. Outlined by Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton, PhD, professor of psychology at Berkeley “Research shows that human beings have a natural proclivity to make distinctions between “us” and “them.” That natural proclivity has a survival value.” It’s everywhere and has been with us, forever. The United States is the melting pot of the world, cultural influences range from Papua New Guinea to Puerto Rico. The country has as many different ethnicities as much as any country in the world. All four corners of the map have added spices that makes the USA one of the most culturally diverse and complex on the planet. On top of all the rich influences, the USA has arguably the greatest opportunities of any country in the world and for all of its citizens.
From a black or female president, professional athletes to entertainers and teachers and doctors, America has continued to grow on the belief of equality and lead the world in doing so. But, it is nowhere near perfect and never has been, and neither has any other country for that matter. Enter, Colin Kaepernick, who felt the need and who had the will to further progress the nation in the right direction on Aug. 20, when he decided to sit for the national anthem of the United States. Like Rosa Parks before him, the act resonated and may as well, spark a movement. Though this act of protest was less-understood it jarred the countries usually wavering attention into complete concertation. As Kaepernick stated on Aug. 26 of his intent “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.”
The initial reaction to the protest was palatable.
There was support and excitement, met with anger and feelings of disrespect. Two sides largely surfaced, those who felt Kaepernick had become a patriotic symbol against, inequality, brutality and those who felt Kaepernick had disregard all that the flag has to offer. Even more, the thought that he disrespected all those who have fought on behalf of it. Though everyone can agree on one thing, that the event has divided the country in that same natural proclivity of ‘us’ and ‘them’ mentality. So, what will be the resolve, if any? Will the rare, momentous spark that garnered the nation’s emotion create change and unite America for social progress, or will we allow both sides to squander this small window of great potential with name calling and finger pointing?
