Why Did Colin Kaepernick Really Take the Knee?
This is a time when it is impossible to be neutral on racism. To state, “I am not a racist,” simply because you have never said or done anything harmful or prejudiced towards someone else based on their skin color or yours – does not make you anti-racist. Unless you are willing to unlearn all that you have learned and then use your voice to change systemic injustices and biases you are by absence contributing to the pain and problem of racism.
“It’s not my problem,” you say. “I’m not like those other guys who have a real issue with, (insert race).” Yet, where are you when 8 year old boys are hassled by police for riding their bikes or wearing new shoes, and where are you when someone yells out “terrorist” to a mother walking out of a grocery store with her children, and where are you when a police officer violently arrests a man who is not resisting be arrested?
You’re silent, and at best, you have your phone out filming it to post later.
If you really want to understand why Colin Kaepernick took the knee here is what you must dive into; here are our Top 5 Books on Racism For Men.
Witnessing Whiteness – Shelly Tochluk
Race Talk and the Conspiracy of Silence: Understanding and Facilitating Difficult Dialogues on Race – Derald Wing Sue
The Emperor Has No Clothes: Teaching About Race and Racism to People Who Don’t Want to Know – Tema Jon Okun
How To Be An Anti-Racist – Ibram X. Kendi
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations About Race – Beverly Daniel Tatum
