According to Newtons Third Law, for each action there exists an equal but opposite reaction. When Muhammad Ali spoke out against the Vietnam War, the opposite reaction from mainstream society was to cast him as an incorrigible malcontent who adhered to a fringe militant group. His eventual punishment was the loss of three prime years of his career and millions of dollars.
Additionally, some believe that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has never gotten his proper respect as an NBA legend because he stood by Muhammad Ali all those years ago. Going even further back, Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor boycotted a game against the Cincinnati Royals as a rookie with the Lakers due to segregated conditions in the town of Charleston, West Virginia, which hosted the game.
There are even millions of African Americans who did not know the great Jackie Robinson went on record to state he would not stand for the national anthem over 40 years ago.
So, when people tell Colin Kaepernick that he should simply stick to sports, they have no idea of the rich legacy he is upholding by basically sacrificing his entire football career in order to speak out against the historic tyranny disguised as American patriotism.
The Shadow League on Twitter
Colin Kaepernick files grievance against blackballing team owners: https://t.co/yQH6hAckuf
Even though there are millions of Americans who do not salute the flag for religious, cultural and even political reasons, Kaepernick and those who followed his lead were singled out. And we all can guess why.
On Wednesday, Kap announced that the final phase of his $1 million charitable plan will be going to 10 beneficiaries, all of which will be made public by the end of the week. One of those charities, Silicon Valley De-Bug, will receive $10,000 that benefit programming for youth immigrants and low wage workers in the Northern California area. His $10,000 donation will be matched by Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant.
Colin Kaepernick on Twitter
My brother Kevin Durant @KDTrey5 has generously decided to match my donation of $10,000, with $10,000 of his own, making the total donation to De-Bug $20,000!!! My brother Kevin, you are truly a champion on, and off the court. #MillionDollarPledge #10for10 https://t.co/aK6dKa5Boa https://t.co/He41wgChCF
KD, thank you so much, brother, for continuing to uplift and empower our communities, Kaepernick said. We love and appreciate you.
Other celebrities and athletes plan to match Kaps donation as well, doubling the final amount to $200,000.
The donated funds will be used for families to visit those in prison, lobby for a law to protect young people in prison, pay for pretrial release for those that can’t pay bail and support steps taken to end bail.
Kaepernick first kicked off his plan back in October of 2016 and has donated to over 30 charities thus far.
The Shadow League on Twitter
Colin Kaepernick donates $25,000 to United We Dream: https://t.co/C8kpLqja1m
The total will be 40 charities when all is said and done. On Thursday, it was announced Kaepernick pledged $10,000 to the Advancement Project, based out of Washington D.C. Actor Jesse Williams will match Kaepernick’s pledge, making the donation to Advancement Project $20,000.
Generally, there have been far more NBA players who have spoken about social injustice than there have been NFL players. However, we cant say that anyone has gone to the lengths that Kap has to get his message out.
Props go to LeBron James for doing some of the things he has done in the name of justice in America. But, relatively speaking, his efforts have been largely cosmetic. Meanwhile, Kap is out here getting things done, while recruiting likeminded donors to his cause. He is indeed a catalyst, and history will remember his sacrifice fondly. In the meantime, we have to keep giving Colin Kaepernick his roses while hes among the living.
Kevin Durant on Twitter
Thank you for all that you do brother @Kaepernick7 https://t.co/1KYcjBEqdY
“He brought something out of people that theyd been hiding for a long, long time that needed to be revealed,” Durant told the San Jose Mercury. “Id rather you tell me that you dont like me because of my skin than hide that (stuff). So he kind of touched a nerve and the outrage from it made me a fan of him just because he decided to take all that on, but also tell a message of, ‘Yo man. Just treat us fair, treat us equal, were people too. Were not less than you because we dont look like you.”
“I didnt have it as rough when it comes to that, as far as social or systematic oppression or any social issues. They didnt really apply to me because I could put a ball in a basket. Just me saying that kind of woke me up a little bit, like ‘Damn, thats all Im good for?’ Like, if I wasnt a basketball player, what kind of man would they look at me as, you know what Im saying?”
Durant’s Golden State Warriors teammate Stephen Curry also got in on the giving, matching Kap’s $10,000 donation to United Playaz, which describes itself as a violence prevention and youth development organization that has worked in San Francisco for 20 years.
I knew about Kaepernicks Million Dollar Pledge almost a year ago, where hes putting his money where his mouth is, Curry told reporters. I think the opportunity KD has and I have to bring that to the Bay Area, that opportunity to kind of rally around for what Kaepernick stands for and his mission to better communities through financial resources, thats huge. Its a small gesture that we all can do.
