to stand up for the national anthem?
Forced respect is an oxymoron.
Should a person of color be expected to stand for a national anthem for a country that currently oppresses people of color? Standing or sitting during the anthem does not make one any more or less an American. Because sometimes it is our duty as Americans to say something that people don't necessarily want to hear or do something that people don't necessarily want to see. This is how change starts.
How much disrespect has been heaved on minority groups in this nation? Have we achieved absolute equality for gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, etc.? Depending on what glasses one is born with to view the world, views differ greatly. Yours may be a rose colored pair, where America is all good and great, and deserves unfettered respect, while others have a view that's less savory. They live in a nation where their country does not respect them, and in fact works quite diligently to oppress them. But, they should somehow find respect for something that does not respect them back? I don't think so.
Kaepernick has a stage, he has a voice, and he used it. Hopefully as change for the better. Sure he offended some. Good, now they are paying attention. The more folks who have a voice and a stage speak out, the more people will listen.
There are times and places for overt political statements. Usually they are most effective when they are done when it isn't the time or place.
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