Nowadays, there are a lot of protests going on for equal justice to black lives. This has further become a reason of many debates. Recently, former NFL player Colin Kaepernick has labeled July 4th – US Independence Day – a “celebration of white supremacy”.
Yesterday, millions of Americans celebrated the 244th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States. On this day, July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress made a declaration. In which, they announced that the thirteen American colonies were no longer a part of British monarch King George III. And this marked them as free, united, and independent states. However, the 32-year-old player, Colin Kaepernick didn’t seem very happy. And he didn’t celebrate the day.
Instead, he wrote a tweet for his 2.3 million followers, which is attached below.
Black ppl have been dehumanized, brutalized, criminalized + terrorized by America for centuries, & are expected to join your commemoration of “independence”, while you enslaved our ancestors. We reject your celebration of white supremacy & look forward to liberation for all. ✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/YCD2SYlgv4
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) July 4, 2020
Along with his tweet, he also attached a video. In the video, we can see the actor James Earl Jones reciting Frederick Douglass’ 1852 speech, Douglass’. It also contained many upsetting visuals and pictures.
These were mostly on the topics of slave auctions, KKK members, lynching, racist caricature drawings, and videos of police officers attacking black individuals.
Colin Kaepernick received mixed reactions on his tweet
And after he posted the tweet, Colin Kaepernick received mixed reactions from the people. Some were in favor and some remained against. They believed that the day was for the celebration of Americanism and one should focus on doing that.
On the other side, some of them supported the player and spoke in his favor. In the end, what remains constant is #BlackLivesMatter.
After leaving the 49ers in March 2017, Kaepernick has remained a free agent. Despite the initial backlash, the sports body has acknowledged their failure to listen to NFL players sooner when speaking out against the systematic oppression of black people. And NFL too tweeted in favor of providing equality and justice for black people.