Veterans Are Standing up for Colin Kaepernick on Social Media
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One of the prevailing arguments against Colin Kaepernick's decision to sit out National Anthem prior to a pre-season game is that his silent protest of racial inequality disrespects veterans.
So what do actual veterans think? The hashtag #VeteransForKaepernick demonstrates strong support for Kaepernick's protest from active duty and retired servicemen and women.
While not every veteran who used the hashtag said they agreed with Kaepernick's specific points (though many of them did), they overwhelmingly supported his right to criticize the United States and to sit during the national anthem.
Veteran Jim Wright's post in support of Kaepernick's protest went viral earlier this week. He wrote that if Americans want Kaepernick's respect, the country has to start treating black Americans better.
"If Americans want this man to respect America, then first they must respect him.
"If America wants the world's respect, it must be worthy of respect.
"America must be worthy of respect. Torture, rendition, indefinite detention, unarmed black men shot down in the street every day, poverty, inequality, voter suppression, racism, bigotry in every form, obstructionism, blind patriotism, NONE of those things are worthy of respect from anybody -- least of all an American.
"But doesn't it also mean that if Kaepernick wants respect, he must give it first? Give it to America? Be worthy of respect himself? Stand up, shut up, and put his hand over his heart before Old Glory?
"No. It doesn't.
"Respect doesn't work that way."
