When I was growing up, I had some apparently weird music preferences. Still do, actually. But nowadays, I’m not ashamed to admit that I like a certain band or artist. I’ve been OK with my taste in music ever since somebody told me that music is personal. From that day forward, I’ve owned my music choices and have made a point of never criticizing others for their preferences.
The Star-Spangled Banner is a piece of music. Colin Kaepernick doesn’t have to like it, and he doesn’t have to like aspects of what it represents.
As an American, Kaepernick has the right to sit down during the national anthem, and fellow Americans possess the right to criticize him for doing so. He stated this week that he is “not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” which unsurprisingly rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. But it is important to understand that Kaepernick is essentially protesting the anthem and the flag in an attempt to express his displeasure with — important word here — aspects of what is happening in his country.
Those crying foul are generally exhibiting false patriotism at its finest by attempting to claim that by protesting the anthem, Kaepernick is protesting every single aspect of American society — including, apparently, the military.
But the reality is Kaepernick can still support American troops while not supporting the Star-Spangled Banner. The two can be mutually exclusive, and those who fail to see the nuance there either don’t want to, or lack the intellect to do so.
Music is personal, as is patriotism. Colin Kaepernick has legitimate personal bones to pick, and he deserves a lot of credit for having the courage to risk his reputation and his livelihood in order to use his celebrity to challenge the status quo on behalf of millions who have similar feelings but lack the voice to tell the world.
Clearly, he has identified a very effective method for making his point. Shame on those who choose to perceive his intentions in exaggerated fashion.
