Read Dr. King’s words again. Think over how many times you’ve heard criticism of Colin Kaepernick, telling the world how much they agree with his message but just wish he would protest differently. Think about how many people, rather than addressing the issues he has raised, have shrouded themselves in the American flag and expressed disapproval about him “disgracing the troops.” Short of actual substantive discussions about the issue of law enforcement in communities of color, we are left with arguments over military support and over freedom of speech. Maybe you have been one of those voices yourself. If you have been – please ask yourself if you are the “white moderate” that Dr. King wrote about, and if so, what can be done to change that.
Know, too, that there are many millions who have watched this all unfold without saying a word in support of Kaepernick’s message to their friends or family; without so much as lifting a finger or raising a fist or taking a step forward; without doing a single thing in support of Colin and his message - they too are Dr. King’s “white moderates.”
We can only claim ignorance for so long. At some point, it becomes time for all of us to take a stand, and for most of us that time has long since passed. Go look at photos of the Little Rock Nine from 1957 as we reach the 60th anniversary of integration. Just as (I hope) none of us want to be remembered as the sneering racists who spit on and abused those black teenagers on their way to school, none of us should want to be remembered as the nameless faces in the crowd that watched it all unfold and did nothing to stop it.
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