New York Knicks point guard and projected sixth man Brandon Jennings supports San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
If you live in the United States of America, then you know that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is either public enemy No. 1 or a leader. That much is up for interpretation, though the American right to freedom of expression is not.
Kaepernick has been receiving support from many of his NFL peers, but his influence isn’t being lost on the deaf ears of NBA players.
New York Knicks sixth man Brandon Jennings is a native of a city that’s historically been a hotbed for police brutality: Compton, California. Without assuming, one could surmise that he’s gained a unique perspective on what it is that Kaepernick is protesting against.
Per Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Jennings told Anthony Donahue of “The 33rd And 7th” podcast that he supports Kaepernick.
"“I like it. He’s taking a stand for what he believes in. People who think it’s wrong, ask him why he is doing it,” Jennings said. “Everybody’s just thinking he’s just disrespecting the flag. No, he’s making a stand about what’s going on in America. It’s not about, he’s disrespecting anybody. He’s just like, ‘Yo, I’m just making a stand.’ And the fact that he has a voice, it just shows that, ‘I’m an athlete, I make a lot of money, people support me, people buy my things, so why I can’t support the world?Everybody’s going to have their opinion whether it’s right or wrong. But at least let a man speak and hear what he has to say first before you just judge him off of what he does.”"
Whether you agree or disagree with Kaepernick’s specific form of protesting, Jennings raise some vital points to follow.
For those unfamiliar, Kaepernick is taking a stand against the systematic racism that exists against people of color in the United States of America. This follows what was an active summer for a more recognizable face to Knicks fans: Carmelo Anthony.
Anthony, who previously marched for Freddie Gray, spoke out on multiple platforms against police brutality and organized a meeting between officers and civilians in Los Angeles.
Kaepernick’s decision to take a knee during the National Anthem has come under fire. Many believe it’s disrespectful to the flag, as well as the men and women of the U.S. military who have fought to protect its integrity.
Kaepernick’s stance is that some of that integrity has been compromised as American politicians turn a blind eye to blatant discrimination.
If you’re uncertain of how to approach this subject, stop thinking of it as a divisive issue and start looking at the merits of it. American people are suffering without aid and elected officials aren’t addressing it.
Some may feel that Kaepernick is disrespecting the flag, but so are the people in power who are allowing systematic racism to exist.
The military has fought for freedom—whether that be freedom from oppressors or freedom of speech. You don’t have to agree with Kaepernick, but Jennings’ point on the subject is quite simple.
Whether or not you agree with Kaepernick’s approach to facilitating change, hear what he’s upset about before you condemn his course of action.
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It’s then that a healthy conversation can be birthed and change can be achieved.