“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color,”
“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.”
“I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed. … If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right.”
– Colin Kaepernick
Ever since the killers of Tamir Rice got off the hook. We have refused to stand for the National Anthem. Like Colin Kaepernick, we were fed up and needed to make a statement. Whether folks realize it or not, there’s a new generation that is sick and tired of traditional means of protest. The days of marching and chanting in the streets are dead to many of us.
It would be awesome if folks around the country sat down with Colin Kaepernick. Imagine going to a game and seeing a large group of people sitting down during the Star Spangled Banner. Whew! Powerful. In honor and protest of those innocent victims who were killed without receiving justice… Freddie Gray, India Kager, Korryn Gaines, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, Mike Brown, Sam Dubose, Paul Oneal, LaQuan McDonald, John Crawford, Rekia Boyd, Aiyana Stanley Jones, Mario Woods, Ezell Ford and list goes on and on.
Over the past month, thousands of African-Americans have followed the call to action by Michael Render A.K.A. Killer Mike and focused on economics with the realization that money is power. Since the police killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, millions of dollars have been withdrawn out of big banks and deposited into Black banks like OneUnited Bank!
Simple gestures and simple actions mean a lot. Our collective action has a tremendous impact on America. Remember the Mizzou football team? They want you to forget about them, but we won’t. The simple act of those players refusing to play for just one day sent shock waves around the nation. It caused the University of Missouri president to be removed from office in less than 48 hours over the mere threat of losing millions of dollars from Black players refusing to play.
If Black Lives ‘Truly’ Matter to you, do something! You as an individual have power. Thanks Colin for being a great example. Now, let’s take it to the next level by sitting down and ‘Banking Black’.
For more information about the #BankBlack movement, check out the BlackoutCoalition.org