Kareem: We should admire Kaepernick for his patriotism
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is no stranger to social activism, and he implored Americans to both understand and appreciate the stance taken by Colin Kaepernick.
Unlike the scores of NFL notables who have angrily spoken out against the San Francisco 49ers quarterback's decision to sit during the national anthem, Abdul-Jabbar wrote an eloquent and thoughtful defense of Kaepernick in the Washington Post.
The all-time NBA scoring leader pointed out the great irony in the central critique of Kaepernick.
"One of the ironies of the way some people express their patriotism is to brag about our freedoms, especially freedom of speech, but then brand as unpatriotic those who exercise this freedom to express dissatisfaction with the government’s record in upholding the Constitution," he wrote.
Related: Trump says Kaepernick 'should find a country that works better for him'
Abdul-Jabbar also argued that Kaepernick should be commended for his patriotism, since his willingness to speak out might put his professional career in jeopardy.
"One sign of the maturation of American society is the willingness of those in the public eye, especially athletes, to openly take a political stand, even if it could harm their careers."
Abdul-Jabbar believes the point lost on those who furiously fixate on Kaepernick's particular choice of expression is the message that he is ultimately trying to send.
Kaepernick remained seated for the national anthem during the 49ers' preseason game last Friday, claiming it was a protest against the oppression of blacks in America. That's something Abdul-Jabbar has fought against his entire life, and he believes it's a shame the fight still hasn't ended.
"What should horrify Americans is not Kaepernick’s choice to remain seated during the national anthem, but that nearly 50 years after (Muhammad) Ali was banned from boxing for his stance and Tommie Smith and John Carlos’s raised fists caused public ostracization and numerous death threats, we still need to call attention to the same racial inequities. Failure to fix this problem is what’s really un-American here."