MCPS MS Black History Month Spotlight - Colin Kaepernick

[Anonymous]

Our MCPS MS highlights a person every day for Black History Month. For the most part, they tend to not focus on athletes -- Jordan Peele, Michelle Obama have been prior spotlights. Today's choice was Colin Kaepernick, along with this blurb:

"Colin Kaepernick played quarterback for the SF 49ers for six seasons. He is now a free agent in the NFL. In 2016, he took a knee during the national anthem to protest racism and police brutality. His actions also made other NFL players do the same. Kaepernick now advocates for ohers. He's donated more than $1 million to community groups, and has his "Know Your Rights Camp", an advocate group for self empowerment for people of color. He has also created Kaepernick Publishing, partnering with Audible to create opportunities for black and brown writers, authors and creators to control their narratives and retain ownership of their work."

Whether you support Kaepernick or not, would you support him as a choice for Black History Month spotlight? Seems like a peculiar choice, when there are so many other options.

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

Absolutely. The students are more interested in him than civil rights figures from the 1950s and ‘60s.

[Anonymous]

Yes. He has a right to exist and students can learn about his existence. Nothing in the paragraph is untrue.

[Anonymous]

Yes, absolutely.

[Anonymous]

Yes. He’s representative of recent history and sports history. Additionally, he’s still a living figure so students can more readily identify with the cause.

[Anonymous]

Yes. He is a civil rights activist in my mind and he stands for the constitutional rights of every American. His significance is huge for every person. His contribution and significance is larger than that of just a Black professional athlete. Like MLK was more than a Black pastor.

- Asian-American mom.

[Anonymous]

Yes. The nfl should be ashamed by their reaction.

[Anonymous]

Certainly!

[Anonymous]

Why do you think he is a peculiar choice? He is an activist for civil rights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you think he is a peculiar choice? He is an activist for civil rights.

Agreed. A current activist. One kids can relate to. I think he’s an excellent choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. He is a civil rights activist in my mind and he stands for the constitutional rights of every American. His significance is huge for every person. His contribution and significance is larger than that of just a Black professional athlete. Like MLK was more than a Black pastor.

- Asian-American mom.

You cannot possibly be comparing Colin Kaepernick to MLK.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you think he is a peculiar choice? He is an activist for civil rights.

Agreed. A current activist. One kids can relate to. I think he’s an excellent choice.

100%. He may also embolden kids to have the courage to stand up to bullying and take risks they might otherwise not take in their social lives. He is relevant to them. They could even write him a letter if they wanted. It's a great chance to talk about the upside and downside of taking a stand, and how to summon bravery when you think someone is wronged. I think it's an excellent choice regardless of whether you agree with his specific action.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. He is a civil rights activist in my mind and he stands for the constitutional rights of every American. His significance is huge for every person. His contribution and significance is larger than that of just a Black professional athlete. Like MLK was more than a Black pastor.

- Asian-American mom.

You cannot possibly be comparing Colin Kaepernick to MLK.

I think you realize full well the comparison she is making. The OP noted that her school did not normally feature athletes. PP is making it clear that CP is not featured as an athlete. Just as MLK is not featured as a clergyman.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. He is a civil rights activist in my mind and he stands for the constitutional rights of every American. His significance is huge for every person. His contribution and significance is larger than that of just a Black professional athlete. Like MLK was more than a Black pastor.

- Asian-American mom.

You cannot possibly be comparing Colin Kaepernick to MLK.

I think you realize full well the comparison she is making. The OP noted that her school did not normally feature athletes. PP is making it clear that CP is not featured as an athlete. Just as MLK is not featured as a clergyman.

And Jordan Peele is (presumably) not featured as a comedian. And Michelle Obama is (presumably) not featured as a wife.