If you strongly believed in something, would you be willing to risk being nationally humiliated in order to stand up for the cause? Colin Kaepernick did, except in his case, he sat for what he believes in.

On August 26, 2016, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick immersed himself in a world of controversy when he refused to stand during the playing of the National Anthem before the team’s third preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.

Kaepernick came out and claimed he sat in protest of what he personally deems as wrongdoings against the African American race in the United States.

“To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder,” Kaepernick told NFL media in an exclusive interview following the game.

Colin Kaepernick, as a citizen of the United States of America, has every right to express himself. This is a right given to him by the first amendment of our constitution, otherwise known as freedom of speech. It is quite clear that Kaepernick understood the repercussions he would face following his act of defiance and was also ready to deal with the overflow of media attention he would receive, both positive and negative. It is reported that Colin did not run his decision by anybody prior to the game. Therefore, nobody had any idea of what he planned to do, despite the fact that he had also sat during the first two games, when he was on the bench, out of uniform.

“This is not something I am going to run by anybody,” Kaepernick said. “I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed. If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right.”

NFL players, while considered celebrities, are employees of a large organization. However, they are also people and more importantly, American citizens. As citizens, they have the right to speak out about the issues that concern them. Should Kaepernick have picked that moment to protest oppression and make his feelings known? While I say no, it is also his right to do so.

While it is Kaepernick’s constitutional right to sit during the anthem, how is he sending a message to the oppressed by sitting during a time to honor those who are fighting and have lost their lives while protecting that right? Those who have fought for his freedom to play in the NFL, his freedom to make MILLIONS of dollars, while the veterans STAND and salute, yet are starving on the streets, with no roof over their head.

Several Hollywood icons have followed in Kaepernick’s footsteps and sat for the National Anthem. Pop music icon, Chris Brown, attended Power 106’s Celebrity Charity Basketball Game that took place on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. While everyone stood, Chris Brown was spotted sitting. However, at the end of the performance, Brown rose to applaud the performer.

In the United States, there are so many different nationalities that we will never fully erase the racism that has stained our land. While Kaepernick has a valid point, the racism we are exposed to is toward all minorities, not just the African Americans. What is sitting down in protest of inequality, during a time to celebrate equality, doing for those, who, unlike Colin Kaepernick, are victims of oppression?

Is Colin Kaepernick making a statement to call attention to what some would call a dwindling career or simply making a fool of himself?