Racism in America is dated back to have started when people from Africa were imported to be put into slavery without a choice since they were seen as inferior people. Since then African-Americans have expressed dissent against the social injustices they have faced socially, and politically. For example, Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, and others during the Civil Right Movements received a lot of backfire for expressing dissent against the fact that African-Americans were not guaranteed equal rights and were segregated. Those African-Americans who expressed dissent, at first received backfire but today are seen as activist figures, for trying to bring awareness of issues going on in the country. Does the public view of black protest as unpatriotic, change over time? ¬¬By analyzing the statements of Van Newkirk author of the article “No Country for Colin Kaepernick”, C.J Polychroniou author of “How Dissent has Shaped the US: An Interview with Author Ralph Young”, Ta-Nehisi Coats author of “Civil-Rights Protest Have Never been Popular”, it will attempt to show the recurring image how the public’s view of black dissent being unpatriotic changes over time.
The Civil Rights Movement was a movement against racial segregation and discrimination in the United States that originated in the 1950’s. Not only did the movement gain equal rights and ended segregation for African-Americans, but it also gave birth to activist figures who today are praised for trying to make a difference. In the beginning, those activist figures received backfire because their form of expressing dissent was seen as disrespect to the country. For example, both Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks were arrested on different occasions, Martin Luther King for participating in a peaceful anti-segregation march and Rosa Parks for not moving to the back of the bus when told so. The backfire Martin Luther King received as stated in the article entitled “Civil-rights Protest Have Never Been Popular” by Ta-Hehisi Coats, was how the public viewed him where “63 percent of Americans had a negative opinion of Martin Luther King” (Coates 2). Rosa parks received death threats, which she escaped from by moving to Virginia. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and others risked and sometimes lost their lives in the name of freedom and equality, which is why today they are admired.
Today Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks are admired for leading the Civil Rights Movement to its success in ending the legal segregation of African Americans. Because of their contributions to the movement, it is why both are seen as some of the most influential and inspirational African-American leaders in history. It is said that her act of not giving up her seat was what ignited the U.S. civil rights movement. Today not only are they praised but looked up as role models. Which is why today, as stated in the article “How Dissent Has Shaped the US: An Interview with Author Ralph Young” by C.J. Polychroniou, “dozens of other rights groups adopted such tactics as boycotts, sit-ins, marches, and civil disobedience” (Polychroniou 2) in order to express dissent.
Present day Colin Kaepernick, former NFL player for the 49ers, has followed the footsteps of activists expressing dissent to bring awareness of social injustice upon African-Americans. As stated in the article “How Dissent Has Shaped the US: An Interview with Author Ralph Young” by C.J. Polychroniou, today Kaepernick has looked at “previous dissenters to draw inspiration and…figure out what worked” (Polychroniu 2). Colin Kaepernick has expressed dissent through the form of kneeling during the national anthem to bring attention to the annual killings by police, where African Americans make up high numbers for those killed. However, his form of dissent is seen as disrespect to the country and its symbols. As articulated by Coates’s claim the author of the article “Civil-Rights Protest Have Never Been Popular”, “any form of protest is seen as disrespect which is why Kaepernick form of protest is seen as disrespect” (Coates). In the article “No Country for Colin Kaepernick” by Vann R. Newkirk, the author states “It’s therefore possible that those who protested on behalf of people…will one day be lauded as heroes…” (Newkirk 4), which is the ca¬¬se for Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, and others who today are seen as heroes and admired. The article also mentions how “…protests like Kaepernick’s may have long-lasting effects” (4), which supports the idea that in the future Kaepernick could one day be praised as an activist figure similar to Martin Luther King, and those who played a part in the Civil Rights Movement. Colin Kaepernick is compared to the likes of Muhammad Ali and Rosa Parks for standing up for what he believes is right. Another comparison between Muhammad Ali and Colin Kaepernick is that Ali received a ban from boxing, whereas Colin Kaepernick was left with no team to play within the NFL, in response to them expressing dissent. Expressing dissent has cost people their careers.
The recurring issue of racism throughout the history of the United States has been due to people from Africa being imported into America to be out into slavery without a choice due to the color of their skin. Not only have African-Americans experienced social injustices but also Ethnic Minority Groups throughout the history of the United States of America. There have been movements led by influential people that have left their legacy fighting against social injustices faced by African-Americans but have failed for those social injustices are still seen today. There is always a motive for expressing dissent, fighting for what is right and going against what’s wrong. Overall dissent has shaped the US because of the success of the civil rights movement where they accomplished their objective by expressing dissent. Which is why present-day Colin Kaepernick, is expressing dissent to bring an end to the annual killings by police where African American make up a high number of those killed. Then maybe in the future, he could be seen as an influential figure who tried making a change, like Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, and others.