When does a public figure, stop being a public figure and start being a symbol.

History has always shown the immense popularity and importance of athletes and their influence on society. The most prominent of all, the greatest of all time and the peoples champion, Muhammad Ali. The Louisville Lip was and still is among the greatest activists and symbols for coloured people throughout America and the rest of the world. Nothing quite matched his charisma or his brash outspoken voice against the established order. And no one quite like him has emerged.

We’ve seen actors and politicians, musicians and internet icons stand up and speak for their own movements. Some with great effect and others slowly wither away as people lack interest.
Colin Kaepernick managed to overcome all of this and became a symbol for Black Americans and was recognised for it, throughout the world.

All because he decided to take a stand, by not standing, but kneeling during the national anthem.

Here we have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, playing for one of the most decorated teams in the history of American Sports, using his voice and platform to speak against police brutality.

 

Somehow Kaepernick’s kneeling sparked even more interest. The world was listening and no one could deny the impact it was having on not just the game of American Football, but worldwide. Kaepernick had moved beyond being just a football player and was now becoming the face of a movement.

Despite being benched, and his performance on the field starting to dwindle, Colin still knelt. Regardless, he is still one of the best in the league and even though we could not see it, there was no denying that to him, this was much more important. That is the lives of many people who have been terrorised by police brutality and systematic racism. For him, this is bigger than football.

So why would an elite athlete, voicing his concern, resonate with people all around the world?

 

Well, there is something about the society that we live in today, that listens to those who know the grind of everyday life. Especially those who are constantly tested and who become an icon through connecting with the masses. Middle America is filled with the multicultural and the coloured. A whole new melting pot that didn’t exist 20-30 years ago. It isn’t too different to how we are in Australia. So when one of us rises up, someone with a unique story and a team quite literally behind them, it’s hard not to relate, we can’t help but feel that connection regardless of how famous he may be.

Black America has had issues with law enforcement in the past. With a large portion of prison populations being African American, and a significant number of young black Americans being persecuted by stereotypes that may arise as a result. Systematic oppression exists. And people are dying as a result of it.

Colin Kaepernick means no disrespect. But like many others who live that life, he knows for certain that the words “ land of the free and the home of the brave” are not relevant because, for them, it just isn’t true.
Truth, justice and liberty for all are exactly that…for all. But when people live their day to day life with lies and injustice in a social cage, you have to ask yourself…why should they stand?

In primary school, every Thursday we used to have a whole school assembly. Before we started with all the announcements and awards, we always sang the Australian National Anthem. I remember practising for it in class.

One brown boy, in and amongst a room full of white kids. All of whom were proud to tuck their ocean blue shirts into their navy blue shorts and stand up for the national anthem.
Every Thursday they sang “For those who’ve come across the seas
We’ve boundless plains to share,
With courage let us all combine
To advance Australia fair.”

The very next day, some of those kids would call me “curry muncher” and tell me to “go back to where I came from”…the irony was all too real.

I chose to sing, all throughout primary school, and all throughout high school because I believed in those words. So many other people shared my belief.
But for others, it was just that…words.

The saddest part was watching so many other adults, stand by and let the next generation say these hurtful things. Words and phrases that very much could cause someone like me, to turn against and away from the Australian dream. Something they so heavily revered.

These people forced us to stand and pay respect to an anthem they themselves didn’t even live by.

Their words didn’t make sense…their world didn’t make sense.

Now movements like the one Kaepernick started, are the only things that can show them why. It’s words and subsequent actions that stimulate this hateful thought. People make it ok for this to become a norm in our society. As we accept their actions we also accept the system built around it.
By not standing, Colin Kaepernick chooses to speak against the order built around prejudice and racism.  For all those who have been stung by cruel words and wounded by hateful bullets.

 

Now more than ever it is vital for our voices to be heard. Our opinions matter and for change to happen, the biggest and most influential people in the world have to take responsibility for their platforms. Just like Colin did, and he hasn’t been alone.

Ali did it in the late 60’s. Tommie Smith and John Carlos did it at the 1968 Olympics. This hasn’t been the first and won’t be the last of anyone of prominence using their stage for a political stance.

Kaepernick joins a long line of men and women who use their voice to bring about change.

Whether that change comes about, only time will tell.