Tomi Lahren, a commentator and
political analyst for conservative news network, The Blaze, has sparked controversy
with her comments regarding Colin Kaepernicks refusal to stand during the
recitation of the national anthem. Kaepernick currently serves as quarterback
for the American football team, the 49ers, his actions were in protest of the systematic injustice
faced by black Americans and his way of showing support for the Black Lives
Matter movement. According to Lahren, the American flag represents no single
race, and people from different races have fought and died in defense of the
flag and Kaepernicks freedom to protest it. She went further to say that if
Kaepernick didn’t like living here, he’s free to leave and someone else around
the world would be glad to take his place. Which is an interesting comment
coming from someone who, like many other conservatives has shown great distrust
and disdain for immigrants coming to the United States. Lahren accused
Kaepernick of not doing anything practical to improve living conditions for
Black Americans and went on to list reasons as to why he should be grateful to
white people; bringing up the fact that he is biracial, the white parents who
adopted him, and the white 49ers owner who was in charge of his paycheck- A
paycheck he actually plans on donating to civil rights organizations once he
makes his first 1 million dollars this year. This isn’t the first time the 24-year-old
commentator has had heated comments in regard to a Black Lives Matter advocate,
earlier this year she went after Beyoncé, who’s performance at the Superbowl
was in honor of the Black Panther movement and its modern day successor, BLM.
Lahren accused Beyoncé of politicizing the Superbowl for personal gain, and “ripping
off a historical band aid”. Promoting equality for a particular group does not
discredit or take away rights from any other group. Lahrens inability to see
and understand the meaning and significance of this movement is dangerous and puts
the nation on a downward slope towards bigotry and insensitivity towards racial
matters.
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