Colin Kaepernick's Protests

Most athletes don’t interfere with public or political issues in our country because the fear of losing their high popularity, money or endorsements. Colin Kaepernick, a professional football player, has broken that code and now protesting the injustices of non-white individuals that are murder by police. Kaepernick’s protest started by kneeling for the National Anthem during a televised NFL football game. His kneeling led to many controversies that circulate through the nation and sport world. Many think he is disgracing the nation and some are backing up what he is protesting. One’s identity is indefinite changing, so Kaepernick had to change his to focus on his protest side.
As a football player myself, I know how much we have to switch our identity and language. A college or professional athlete represents themselves, their league or institution, and their team. Thornberg quotes “According to interactionism (Atkinson & Housley, 2003; Blumer, 1969; Charon, 2007), social life and morality are inescapably social, collective and cultural processes constructed and reconstructed in everyday social interactions and by individuals’ interpretation processes.” In life we are presented with new situations each time we communicate with others.
Most fans watch football for entertainment and expect a “shut up and play” mentality from the athletes. (Eligon) People’s and Fans’ view of each other can manipulate and shape how one shows their identify with people. One’s identity affects their language they use and language is the way people interact with each other. Stereotypes that affect one another will cause one to switch their language and identity. This is a threat to the Kaepernick because he is trying to become an advocate of injustice in the U.S. and people disrupt what his true message is by believing