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By Rickey Hampton, Editor and Founder of The African-American Athlete.
The attempt to assassinate the character of Colin Kaepernick seems to be unending.
There is a segment of America who wants you to think the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback is a modern day ‘Black radical’.
Kaepernick, whose decision to kneel during national anthem to protest racism and injustice during the 2016 season, started a movement of athletes and activism. Of course, Kaepernick has paid a heavy price. He has been ‘whiteballed’ by NFL owners, and attacked on multiple levels. Even the current racist president called him a ‘Son of a bitch’.
Of course, that is all part of the master plan to minimize Kaepernick’s impact on society. They want you to think he is a terrible player, a terrible teammate, and a terrible person. They want you to think he hates the flag, hates police, and most of all, hates white people.
The latest example of this comes from a recent visit to Riker’s Island jail in New York. The president of the Correction Officers Benevolent Association accused Kaepernick’s coming to visit in order to promote violence against Correction Officers.
“This will only encourage inmates to continue to attack Correction Officers at a time when we need more protection,” said Elias Husamudeen, president of the Correction Officers Benevolent Association.
That is absolutely amazing statement. To think a person would come into a correction center and insight such violence. But then again, nothing is unimaginable in a society that has a racist, admitted sexual assaulter residing in the White House, and alleged pedophile on the verge of becoming a senator in Alabama.
The people who support the politics of the racist president and the alleged pedophile represent many of the segments of society that hates everything Kaepernick stands for.
And, let’s be clear on Kaepernick’s visit to the Rikers. The fact is Kaepernick’s message was one of hope.
“Colin Kaepernick visited Rikers today to share a message of hope and inspiration,” said Peter Thorne, of the department of corrections.
Another fact is that Kaepernick has established himself as an activist, philanthropist and a leader of issues or justice and equality.
His good works have been rewarded with honors and praise. GQ Magazine named him Man of the Year, and Sports Illustrated named him the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award and he was honored by the ACLU.
You can tell that the more the haters hate, the more Colin Kaepernick is making a difference.
