Tag Archives: Colin Kaepernick

Martin Luther King Day, 2019

Posted on January 21, 2019 by

Yesterday Vice President Mike Pence compared his boss, Donald Trump, to Martin Luther King. Really. I don’t know whether the comparison is a true reflection of Pence’s ignorance, or just his subservience.  But minimally, the day of commemoration should be … Continue reading →

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Civility and its discontents

Posted on June 25, 2018 by

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House Press Secretary, probably made the right call in leaving the Red Hen restaurant during the appetizer course. When the owner of a restaurant tells you that the staff doesn’t want to feed you–regardless of … Continue reading →

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Martin Luther King Day, 2018

Posted on January 15, 2018 by

On the eve of the Martin Luther King Day holiday, the president of the United States announces, emphatically, that you can’t find anyone less racist than he is. If you’re suspicious of such proclamations, perhaps it’s just that you’ve learned … Continue reading →

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What hath Colin Kaepernick wrought

Posted on September 24, 2017 by

Donald Trump has ensured that the silent protests during the national anthem Colin Kaepernick started last year would not vanish into the ether like a career in professional sports. Protest politics is all about generating reactions, and this president always … Continue reading →

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Persistence, part II: Kaepernick’s anthem protest and police violence

Posted on September 26, 2016 by

Most attempted campaigns stall out quickly, but sometimes… Almost no one noticed when San Francisco 49 back-up quarterback Colin Kaepernick started his protest of police violence. Conservative media and the professional football commentariat pilloried Kaepernick, suggesting that his protest was … Continue reading →

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The repressive power of tolerance

Posted on September 10, 2016 by

One way protest works is by provoking overreaction from opponents. Remember, Colin Kaepernick sat out the national anthem for three days before anyone noticed. It was the reaction from people who took offense that drew attention to the quarterback and–to … Continue reading →

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The risks of standing out–by sitting down

Posted on September 5, 2016 by

San Francisco 49er quarterback and national anthem dissenter Colin Kaepernick stands to earn more than $10 million this year, and most of it is guaranteed–unlike the contracts for most professional football players. This very substantial sum belies the very serious … Continue reading →

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