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Racism and all, the United States has offered a blissful transformation to millions of people. Since Mohamed Ali, it hasn’t been common for mainstream athletes to take a controversial stand for civil rights. Collin Kaepernick’s movement is about whether or not to stand up during the national anthem of the United States. When it comes to that, one must speak carefully.
For my part, I firmly believe I won’t be where I am now without the United States. America did not only open large doors of opportunity for me, but she fed me, put money in my pocket, repaired my self-esteem, and today I live somewhat like a king would… in some countries. So, as a patriotic American citizen, you can always expect me to bleed red, white, and blue. I idolize this life and the veterans’ sacrifices to put it this way.
I firmly believe that I would not be where I am now if it wasn’t…”
I’d say the same for Canada. I’ve always been told that if the United States called me to defend it, I would go and die for this country. No doubt, the States has its enemies. I have had to defend myself against people who assume that since I am an American, I am responsible for all of the government’s national and foreign policies. This cannot be farther from the truth.
Another Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
That said, it is also essential for my generation to make a dent in our effort to crack and finally break the barriers of racism, intolerance, and other injustices. I am among those who suffered racism when a white person in America called me black to my face several times. If not because I wanted a job, I spoke up about something. I asked the wrong person out or assumed equal treatment was my right. When I didn’t realize the other people belittled my race.
Granted, after visiting Europe, I also found some people…”
I have often joked that I did not realize I’m black until after I went to America. Granted, after visiting Europe, I also found some people racist there too. Regarding racial profiling in America, the police have followed me on various occasions. Long before I recited my first rap verse, they had pulled me over for bogus reasons, ticketed me, and summoned me to court. And it was at such an alarming rate that I was enraged. That is why I speak up any chance I get. It’s a terrible experience.
Another Mohamed Ali
In America, calling the police can lead to someone’s death. If he or she is not killed, they will most certainly be maltreated. I find my encounter with American police to leave me with the impression that they are insensitive and bullish. I have seen white people get away with the same offenses that the police almost gave me a heart attack.
Many of their “charges” end up on criminal or credit records, which banishes one to a low income or scare the living shit out of them. Imagine that. They are living in fear of the police! Lose your temper once or make a silly mistake and you’ll end up dead, lose the already limited opportunities you seek, or if lucky, pay a hefty fine? And then the media, presidential candidates, or people of other races rub this oppression in our faces whenever they get mad at us? This is a terrible experience!
In this context, I agree with Kaepernick as I have not been more distrusting of too many justice systems as I am in the United States. I’ve seen droves of police officers commit murder and walk away scotch free. The system is brutal and inhumane to people of a minority race, religion, creed, or gender.
Standing Up or Kneeling For What is Right
In the same country, just about anyone can have the opportunity to date someone amazing. They make more money, enjoy some of the most delicious meals and wear some of the best clothes. While enjoying the world-class entertainment, a place where you can get an excellent education. Live in a prestigious home, drive brand new cars, and be given the freedom to travel the world; how can this place be the same place where police brutality is incurable cancer?
If one spoke up against these rampant double standards that person…”
How can the country that stands as a world leader with ideas of freedom, liberty, justice, and the right to pursue happiness be in the same place where there is blatant injustice? A place where your talent can cause you to become a millionaire, where human life is believed to be precious, how can it be the same place where sure murderers go unaccountable?
If one spoke up against these rampant double standards, is that person immoral or anti-law enforcement? In this regard, the San Francisco 46er quarterback is commendable to have the gall to call for justice. Since the United Nations remain mum on the injustices that black people suffer, to speak so boldly against crime embedded in the centuries of the history of this country. I would stand to hear the national anthem, but I understand if a player kneels to make this statement.*
