There are a lot of people outraged at NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to sit during the National Anthem as a protest against police brutality.
Criticism of Kaepernick usually adopts the theme of his alleged “disrespect” for people in uniform. It’s a ridiculous line of attack which assumes that active military people and veterans are of a monolithic mind and are in sync with the mostly conservative-based anger directed at the football player’s protest. There’s also this notion that the opinions of military people/veterans are irreproachable, which reminds me of some North Korean-style military worship.
This Tuesday, veterans took to social media to show that their thoughts about Kaepernick’s speaking out are a little more nuanced than most might think.
Now, the #VeteransForKaepernick hashtag is making the rounds, letting people know that one of the main things veterans have fought for is Kaepernick’s right to “sit down.”
#VeteransforKaepernick I never signed up to protect a song, but I signed up to protect the right to protest and free speech.
— the delightful Mx. Thompson 🏴🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@Dylantidprssnt) August 31, 2016
Anthem protest may be rude, but weakening NATO, lax nuke policy & sowing hatred is dangerous.#VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/YSRUC8uTuj
— Moe Davis (U.S. Air Force, Retired) (@ColMorrisDavis) August 31, 2016
@Kaepernick7 I served 25yrs in the AF to protect everyone's 1st Amend rights. I support you #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/Q7r7PfvryA
— Nicki Jai (@dcmbrdiva) August 31, 2016
#VeteransForKaepernick because I didn't volunteer to defend a country where police brutality is swept under the rug. pic.twitter.com/LtBkTvHHAn
— Baltic Avenue (@Baltic_Avenue) August 31, 2016
I serve for his right to protest.. I don't serve for Police Brutality.. #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/Q6GUNTwHDO
— Big Jeaux (@JoeOnDemand) August 31, 2016
Don't use my service–or that of any veteran–to justify the silencing of black Americans. Not on my watch. #VeteransForKaepernick
— Charlotte Clymer 🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) August 31, 2016
#VeteransForKaepernick Although my grandfather served two tours in Vietnam, he couldn't even rent a home near his base b/c he was black.
— B-lorenzo (@blorenzo) August 30, 2016
https://twitter.com/blasianbri_/status/770760106573123584
My fiance served not 1 BUT 2 tours in Iraq and STILL gets pulled out of his car, handcuffed and sat on the curb by #VeteransforKaepernick
— Equal Rights, Lefts & Uppercuts (@InezBordeaux) August 30, 2016
#IndiaKager Served her country. Police served her a death sentence. #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/2HcnMP1MlB
— ChuckModi (@ChuckModi1) August 31, 2016
The commentary from non-veterans was notable too.
So are conservative pundits gonna call all the soldiers using #VeteransForKaepernick un-American and tell them to leave the country?
— Travon (@Travon) August 31, 2016
When @TomiLahren saw #VeteransForKaepernick trending number one on Twitter: pic.twitter.com/amW97hISX2
— #RIPBassemMasri 🙏 (@Delo_Taylor) August 31, 2016
The #VeteransForKaepernick hashtag has made my evening – what real patriotism looks like
— Michael A. Cohen (NOT TRUMP’S FORMER FIXER) (@speechboy71) August 31, 2016
https://twitter.com/fivefifths/status/770946323365232640
Racists trying to figure out how to troll #VeteransForKaepernick without looking like they're anti-Military: pic.twitter.com/f5TM4Xc0nJ
— #RIPBassemMasri 🙏 (@Delo_Taylor) August 31, 2016
The #VeteransForKaepernick tweets show the amazing character of the people brave enough to protect us. I'm not sure we're worthy.
— Rex Huppke (@RexHuppke) August 31, 2016
https://twitter.com/Clarknt67/status/770816086061281280
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