Dear Mr. Kaepernick,
We do not live in a perfect country. We have many flaws and one of them is inequality on many levels. Your opposition is valid but misguided. There is an inequality in the law and I agree with you that needs to change. However, I don’t believe that Black Lives Matter, I believe that every life matters!
I may not be able to understand the prejudices you have experienced in your life and I am truly sorry for the injustices you and others have experienced and I look forward to a more positive future. I can report that I have experienced my own. In 1962, I was the child of a half-Catholic, half-Jewish marriage which, at that time, was considered inappropriate by many. At 18 years old I joined the United States Air Force. I was a young female in a highly male-dominated world. I was out numbered eight to three. I had to work harder, try harder, and ignore the constant prejudice to move forward regardless of intellect, ability, or skill. In 1980 I also had to endure a hazing process that was tough on men and brutal on women, and is now considered illegal.
At 54 years old, I have spent my life career in the service of my country and community. After four years of military service, I spent seven years as a police dispatcher on a military base. I then spent approximately 15 years as a contract worker supporting military communication. Following that was 10 years of service with my state’s mental health division, and now I work for a nonprofit organization supporting residential housing services to the chronically mentally ill and veterans. In this line of work we do not distinguish ethnically, we just strive to be culturally sensitive and empathetic to all who need our service.
From my understanding, you believe that white crime/police brutality on blacks/crime is at epidemic proportions. However, statistically, the highest number of occurrence reflect black on black crime.
So Mr. Kaepernick, I completely support you standing up/sitting down for your rights, which you apparently do on the company clock. You have a multi-million dollar salary and I can’t help but wonder what part of that you dedicate to this worthy cause? I have two college degrees and over 16 years of experience and I earn $13 per hour. I am good at my job, love my job, and am committed to helping my consumers in any way I can. Unfortunately, that is the salary of a nonprofit worker. And, when I have to stand or sit for my rights, I do it on my own time.
I’m uncertain if the extent of your support is limited to sitting or bending a knee, however, you might want to take a portion of that high salary of yours and make donations to causes that support your belief system. Suggestions: Body cameras for law enforcement, a legal aid fund for those who feel they have been unjustly discriminated against and research studies and education.
Lastly, I would like to say, as a retired member of military service, I completely support your freedom of speech. I feel I didn’t make great sacrifices during my tour of duty, but I have to ask you sir, as a man in your position and circumstance, are you going to take a knee, sit, or stand when you meet the family and survivors of 9/11? Are you going to take a knee, sit, or stand when you meet a disabled vet from Afghanistan, and will you take a knee, sit, or stand when you meet a survivor of the Holocaust?
I am certain you have been treated bad enough and seen enough injustice to motivate you to take your stance. Regardless of the positive message you wanted to send, your actions insulted a people and an ideal that I think you didn’t consider. I wish you great contemplative power over the message you are truly trying to express and I hope you can let the healing process begin.
Respectfully,
Tracey Dawson
USAF, Sgt. Ret.
Tracey Dawson is a resident of Kailua-Kona