American footballer Colin Kaepernick took his incessant protests against racism to its climax when he posted a controversial message criticising America’s July 4 celebrations.
The 29-year-old who famously protested police brutality to blacks in the US by refusing to stand during the national anthem in 2016, spent his Fourth of July holiday celebrating finding his “personal independence” in Ghana. On Independence Day in the United States, free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick posted a video on social media of his trip to Ghana, where he travelled to find his “personal independence.”
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The few days spent in the West African country was a period of self-emancipation and actualization for Kaepernick according to him. Being his controversial self, Colin posted his trip to Ghana on his social media accounts.
In a quest to find my personal independence, I had to find out where my ancestors came from
Colin Kaepernick recently compared police officers to fugitive slave patrolmen after a policeman in Minnesota, USA was acquitted of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a black motorist.
He had tweeted an image of a police badge beside a fugitive slave patrol, alongside the caption: ‘You can’t ignore your history. Always remember who they are.
The video showed Colin Kaepernick visiting schools and hospitals. He also visited the prominent slave monuments including the Cape Coast castle, a major part of trans-Atlantic slave trade initially built in the 1600s and was seen clad in Kente, a popular local fabric.
He visited a local hospital in Keta, ate a local dish named ‘banku’ at locals’ homes and paid his respects at Kwame Nkrumah’s Memorial Park, named after a former Ghanaian president who led the country to independence from Britain in 1957.
Mr Kaepernick has become the most hated man in American sports ever since he refused to stand for the US National Anthem, an act considered disgraceful by the masses. As expected, his protest posts drew lots of global attention giving prominence to questions pertaining to the possible rationale behind his actions.
More so, while Kaepernick’s daring adventure won him some praises, his public stance on social causes are believed to have damaged his NFL career. At the moment, no NFL team is willing to risk their reputation with signing him to their team. The 29-year-old has been more or less a lone ranger in the
Let us explain; When Former US President Barack Obama ruled America, activists in the likes of Kaepernick were significantly backed by him. Being a black President, Obama warmed up to “Black Lives Matter” campaign which was spearheaded by these activists. being one of them, Kaepernick over the past 2 football seasons have protested through one anti -American antic to the other.
However, since new President Donald Trump got into office, life for Kaepernick has taken a drastic turn for obvious reasons. Trump is not in anyway lenient or tolerant in matters which have to do with white-cop hatred or encouraged hatred for whites by blacks. Kaepernick’s popularity, for this reason, took a nose dive under Trump’s administration, as his invites and that of other activists to the White House has gradually ceased.
Kaepernick’s shocking escapades over America’s Independence Day has left him tagged as the biggest unemployed loser in the NFL. The 49er quarterback caused his potential teams to turn away from him and is more or less begging for employment.
A free agent now; Mr Colin spent the first six seasons on his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers, starting 58 regular-season games and helping the team reach Super Bowl XLVII. He opted out of the final year of his contract in March this year.
What we think he should do
Though he has been lauded by the human rights activists, the Black clan and whatnots, Mr Colin needs to reconcile with his reality. While speaking against racism, he former San Francisco 49ers quarterback needs to realise he is also a sports person and should get back into the game. But the question remains, is he willing to do so?
Niners general manager John Lynch said in an interview that he spoke with Kaepernick and that the quarterback wants to play in the NFL this season. He said he urged Kaepernick to express publicly in an interview that he is still committed to his football career.
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