Sports Leaders Stand Up Against Racial Violence and Injustice
U.S. Women’s National Team soccer star Megan Rapinoe has taken stand, or perhaps a knee. Just back from the Rio Olympics, the 31-year-old FIFA World Cup star knelt during the National Anthem on September 4, before the Seattle Reign‘s game last Sunday night against the Chicago Red Stars.
Taking a page from NFL San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick who has refused to stand for the Star Spangled Banner in a personal protest against racial injustice, Rapinoe becomes another sports star using their influence and star quality to stand up for their beliefs.
“Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties. It was something small that I could do and something that I plan to keep doing in the future and hopefully spark some meaningful conversation around it. It’s important to have white people stand in support of people of color on this. We don’t need to be the leading voice, of course, but standing in support of them is something that’s really powerful,” said Rapinoe.
“It was very intentional,” Rapinoe told John D Halloran of the American Soccer Now after Seattle’s 2-2 tie in the National Women’s Soccer League game. “It was a little nod to Kaepernick and everything that he’s standing for right now.”
Kaepernick teammate, San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid also kneeled during the national anthem before the Chargers game in San Diego. The night game was also the Chargers’ annual Salute to the Military and, while the players’ refusal to stand for the Anthem was not intended as disrespectful, many of those who have served our country in the military find the actions highly controversial.
The increasing silent protest is provoking chaos and polarizing fans. Perhaps even a severe storm of criticism is brewing and just maybe that is what is needed to keep the conversation going and to bring about greater social change. Rapinoe’s protest is a high-profile action intended to spark thought.
Twitter has been lit up with the conversation – and Julie Foudy, a U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team midfielder who played for our country from 1987 through 2004 chatted with Rapinoe and tweeted parts of their conversation.
Is the silent protest popular? A steady, quiet and commercial support has risen — Kaepernick NFL jersey on NFL is selling quickly. In fact, FORBES reported today that it is #1:
Colin Keapernick is not even listed as the starting quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers as of September 6, but there is no player in the National Football League selling more jerseys than the backup QB. As of this morning, the top seller on NFLShop.com is a Kaepernick Nike Scarlet Game Jersey.
According to all reports, Kaepernick’s jersey has been selling fast ever since he decided not stand for the National Anthem during 49ers preseason games. Why did the QB decide to do this?
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game. “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.”
As President Obama said on Colin Kaepernick’s protest, “He’s exercising his constitutional right to make a statement …. it’s a democracy works.”
Editor’s Note: Rapinoe is a smart, outspoken and an amazingly talented soccer player. When I went to check the Seattle Reign site — looking to see if they were supporting their player, I was pleased to see the image Rapinoe standing powerfully tall — promoting the team’s upcoming game. Perhaps the sale of Rapinoe’s jerseys will peak as well and the stadium can fill with support for a person standing up for what they believe.
Thank you John D. Halloran for your coverage on Rapinoe.
An advocate for numerous LGBT organizations, Rapinoe came out in 2012 in an interview with Out, sharing with the magazine that, “For the record: I am gay.”
