sep 1, 2016 - "taking the knee"

Description:

Colin Kaepernick is a former professional American football quarterback who played for the San Francisco 49ers. In 2016, before a preseason game, Kaepernick chose to kneel during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality against people of color. He explained after the game that his action was intended to draw attention to these issues, stating, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way."

His critics, including President Donald Trump, reframed the act as unpatriotic arguing that kneeling during the national anthem was disrespectful to the flag and the military. his interpretation fueled a backlash that persists, overshadowing Kaepernick’s original message about social justice and police accountability.

Added to timeline:

Date:

Images: