NBA Boycotts Happen Exactly Four Years After Colin Kaepernick Took A Knee For The First Time
As we’ve reported earlier today, a number of MLB, WNBA, NBA boycotts and more, have broke out following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. Coincidentally — or not — the boycotts have occurred on the exact date, four years ago today, that Colin Kaepernick took a knee for the first time in 2016.
On August, 26, 2016, Kaepernick kneeled during the National Anthem, in a peaceful protest against racial inequality and the oppression of Black people in America. However, before his viral photo, Kaepernick was already protesting, as he had shown up without his uniform and sat during the anthem a game or two before. It wasn’t until August 26th’s game, when Kaepernick decided to put on his San Francisco’s 49ers uniform and protest on bended knee.
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At the time, Kaepernick told NFL media, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color. 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.”
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