By Katrina Broner

Colin Kaepernick could stay silent and unemployed for years to come and he still would have more than earned his place in human history. In light of recent events, people keep demanding answers asking why he has been silent? Where is he now? Some even believe that he jumped out the driver seat of the movement he started and needs to steer it back in the right direction.

There are old adages ringing loudly but people are decidedly deaf!

Actions speak louder than words and put your money where your mouth is comes to mind. Since Kaep took a knee to protest police brutality of black people he has been working hard to support and educate as many people as possible to the tune of 1 million dollars. My favorite is his Know Your Rights Camp. He is teaching and encouraging young people to seek higher education, self empowerment and instruction to properly interact with law enforcement in various scenarios. Preparing and protecting our prosperity is more important than feeding into people that have distorted his message.

It is said a true leader creates more leaders, Kaep is doing just that. He is focused on teaching young people what needs to change and how to do it while providing for others that do the same. They are the ones that will completely change what we have started to change. America is trying to wake up from one nightmare or another. It is not going to be easy but things must change so we can make a better American dream before it is too late, before there’s no hope left.

He explained exactly why he refused to stand. Out of respect he even took the time to understand and compromise a bit for the men and women that have served this country to kneel instead of sitting all together. The point was to state the facts and start the conversation. He accomplished that and so much more. We have gone from police brutality of blacks, to revealing the true lyrics of the National Anthem, to protesting confederate monuments. It has even spilled over into revealing the ugly racial side of professional sports. I was shocked to learn that all ceremonial hype before our professional sports events is all paid for in an effort to stir patriotism and encourage people to enlist for military service. All of this because Colin decided to take a knee.

He said everything he needed to say at the outset of the protest and then he got to work.

Although he has been quiet as things have begun to spiral out of control, be mindful that he is in good company. Kaep and former President Obama must be reading from the same playbook. Until recently, Obama was silent as well but he too told us exactly what needed to be done and why. The former president put the ball in the American people’s court and warned us what would happen if we did not come together for one another. There was the same name calling and division, the same ridicule and twisting of words but the ones that care remember what this is really about. The ones that care are out there like Kaep, doing the work, making sure the message is not lost. When it is time, I’m sure Colin will say something. People are so worried about his silence but what about all the important figures voicing all the negative and divisive things? You could not pay them enough to shut up. Where is the demand for the voice of all the other “obvious” black leaders that have been silent all along?

They haven’t been paid enough to speak.

Oops.

Until Next Time, Stay Awesome.

To see more of Katrina’s writing follow the TrinityLife and shop at her online company 2Key Creations.

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