The National Anthem at a U.S. sporting event is as ubiquitous as previews before a movie. August 26th, just as expected, the national anthem was sung before the start of a football game between the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers. The PA announcer bellowed and asked everyone in attendance to rise for our nation’s song. Everyone complied except for the 49er quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, who refused to stand for the anthem. “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” stated Kaepernick, according to an article by Tom Pelissero in USA Today. “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,” Kaepernick said in the same article

The action is undoubtedly controversial. Naturally, there are fans who openly embrace Kaepernick’s brazen defiance. The rebuke has been swift and has ranged from pundits calling Him unpatriotic to 49er fans burning his jersey in effigy.  A former teammate of Kaepernick, Alex Boone, offered his opinion as well. “It’s hard for me, because my brother is a Marine and he has lost a lot of friends over there,” Boone stated. “That flag obviously gives him the right to do whatever he wants,” the veteran football player told USA Today. Boone continued and expressed that Kaepernick’s protest showed a lack of respect to those that have served and have died protecting our freedom.

However, the idea that servicemembers are putting their lives on the line for our freedom is specious at best. 9/11 may have been the most recent threat to our freedom – the freedom to life and happiness. However, the legislation that followed 9/11 was more of a threat to our freedom than the attack itself. World War II may have been the last time a belligerent foreign power threatened our freedoms. Yet, the army that was sent to Europe and the Pacific was still segregated. Back at home, Jim Crow was alive and well in the South. Those that served were defending the freedoms and interests of a white majority.

It is admirable that many men and women are willing to serve the interests of the country. But their service is in the pursuit of national interests, one that is still overwhelmingly dominated by a white majority. The symbols that represent our country are also representative of interests that still undermine people of color, or at the very least, do not pursue their interests as fervently as it does the interest of those in power. That is the point of Kaepernick’s protest.

Patriotism is easy when we can wrap a uniform or flag around it. We drape symbolism on a coffin, cry over the sacrifice made, and call it the ultimate price for freedom. But patriotism becomes difficult when we are forced to confront what it truly means to be patriotic. Equally as patriotic is taking a principled stand against what one may perceive as oppression. If we are to venerate those that serve the interests of the nation, then it is incumbent upon us to revere those that serve the interests of the oppressed by pushing against the status quo.