Kaepernick marks milestone in protest; talks sacrifice and racial justice at StudioBe By Alexia Anthon

It has been a decade since former NFL Quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee and began his crusade to spotlight Racial Injustice in the Criminal Justice System. He has not backed down since, most recently funding an independent autopsy in the Nolan Wells Case. He is keeping up his mission to spotlight Racial Justice, chronicled in a new memoir and manifesto, “The Perilous Fight,” that he shared with audiences in New Orleans during a conversation at StudioBE in September. From his decision to take a knee, the aftermath of his protest and the ongoing fight for Racial Justice, he shared how he is not backing down.

“It’s not any one action that we take. It’s all actions that we take over the course of our lives that ultimately lead to the impact that we want to have,” Kapernick said.

In conversation with former NFL Player Eric Reid and Sports Analyst Ryan Clark at Baldwin & Co., a Black-owned Bookstore, on Sept. 18th, the event, which was a partnership with the National Association of Black Bookstores allowed Kaepernick an opportunity to reflect on the personal and professional sacrifices connected to taking a public stand.

Kaepernick said he will continue to boycott the NFL, as he remains ostracized from his professional sport alongside other athletes, like Reid, who joined him in those early protests. His actions in the sports world stood out to residents like Donney Rose, a Community Health Worker, and Poet, who attended the event.

“I was following Colin Kaepernick’s protest movement way back in 2016, much like everyone else,” said Rose, a Baton Rouge native. “And I’ve just been kind of following his path since his being blackballed from the NFL and just admiring him standing on his principles and him along with Eric Reed and all the other players who had their careers upended by the NFL.”

Rose said the event left him motivated by the sacrifices Kaepernick and Reid described.

“I was just inspired by them again staying principled and keeping up their conviction even after it costs them everything professionally,” Rose said.

Kaepernick stated that he hoped readers of “The Perilous Fight” and attendees at the event would recognize the importance of continued action.

“It just goes to show that action speaks louder than words,” said Jayla Smith, a Xavier University of Louisiana student from Chicago. “We really got to just be together as one,” Smith said.

The event connected Kaepernick’s experience in the NFL with a broader discussion about sacrifice and activism, leaving attendees to consider how they can use their personal power to start a chain reaction.

“I think the thing that I really wanted them to touch on, which I think they did, was the ultimate sacrifice that it takes to make such a courageous and bold stand,” Cofield said.  “I think it was, like, beautiful to hear black men be vulnerable and share honestly and authentically,” Cofield added.