President
Obama said Monday that NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick was
"exercising his constitutional right" to bring attention to
racial injustice by not taking part in the national anthem at the start
of San Francisco 49ers football games.
Speaking at a news conference in China after the
Group of 20 summits, Obama said he did not doubt Kaepernick's sincerity to
highlight social issues and noted the player was the latest in a long line
of professional sports figures to do so. according to USA TODAY The president also acknowledged that
Kaepernick's silent protest was a "tough thing" for many members
of the military to accept.
"When it comes to the flag and the national
anthem and the meaning that holds for our men and women in uniform and those
who fought for us — that is a tough thing for them to get past," Obama
said. "But I don’t doubt his sincerity. I think he cares about some
real, legitimate issues that have to be talked about. If nothing else, he’s
generated more conversation about issues that have to be talked about."
Kaepernick
has been heavily criticized since starting his silent protest. He’s said it’s
not an anti-American gesture but a means to highlight the treatment of African
Americans by police officers. He has said that he is trying to support
"people who are oppressed."
No comments:
Post a Comment