2-Kaep

Under much scrutiny for his 2016-2017 kneeling protest against police brutality during the National Anthem, Colin Kaepernick has become the most popular sports activist of today. Many players have stood behind his protest and knelt with him in their efforts to bring attention to police brutality in America. The protest has yet to win. Many people claim that they oppose the "technique" or "strategy" that Kaepernick has chosen, rather than what he is protesting. Opposers claim that Kaepernick and others are "disrespecting the flag and those that have served this country in the military." Kaepernick has been vocal about what he is protesting and to not get it confused with military veterans and people that are serving this country today. But people aren't hearing him out on that. Even the President, Donald Trump, has been vocal against the protest referring to protesters as "Sons of B******." A lot of people felt offended by Trump's remarks and knelt in "unity" and "solidarity." To me, it seems like the new protesters are standing together against Trump and not against police brutality. There are others like Ray Lewis who said on camera that they were against Kaepernick's display of protest. Claiming that he [Lewis] does too much for the community and military servants to kneel during the anthem. Lewis later finds himself on both knees during the national anthem after Trump's sons of b****** comment. Many people have taken the side against Kaepernick. Do they see his vision of peace? Or do they only want to see whats in front of them? Are they hearing his cry for justice or too caught up in his "deviant" actions? To me, it seems like its just Kaep against the world.

Recently Colin Kaepernick was spotted with a Me Against The World t-shirt with 2pac on it. 2pac is known as one of the most influential rappers in hip-hop for many reasons. He was very outspoken, passionate, genuine, talent and creative. A lot of the time 2pac was criticized for his "Thug Life" approach. For those in the media portraying 2pac, they saw a rebel, outlaw, or even menace to society. For those that had the privilege to be around him would argue against that. Those who read between the lines of his lyrics could hear his cry for justice, change, and improvement in run-down communities. Others that couldn't argue that 2pac only glorified the streets and gangster lifestyle. In the song Me Against The World he touches a lot of issues that happen in many Black communities. He also takes an approach of painting graphic horrors of the hood to grab the listener's attention. A few lines in the song resembles Kaepernick's fight today.

At the beginning of the first verse, 2pac says "Can you picture my prophecy?" He then dedicates a whole verse to problems that occur in many predominately Black communities. He touches on police harassment, people dying from gunfire, growing up seeing people die, children being drawn to that lifestyle, friends dying from this lifestyle, questioning his own life, and feeling like there is no hope to change. Before closing the verse with "It's just me against the world, baby" he challenges the listeners thought and says they only notice us when we are shooting and that no one notices the youth. Kaepernick this whole time has been trying to paint the picture of what police brutality is. It has startled people. He has also shed the light of some communities that suffer from unfortunate circumstances. But can Y'all really picture his prophecy?

"When will I finally get to rest through this oppression? They punish the people that are askin' questions" 2pac highlights oppression and how it makes him feel during the opening of the fourth verse. He also exposes what happens to those that start asking questions to their circumstances. It's ironic because this has literally been Kaepernick's situation for the last two seasons. What many may see as an act of heroism a lot of people in power see as deviance or a threat. As a punishment, the well-established quarterback has been released from the San Francisco 49ers and has not been picked up by any of the other 31 teams in the league since his release.

"Politicians are hypocrites, they don't wanna listen" 2pac then gives a quick reminder that politicians have done little for communities that are suffering. Yes, they have implemented some government assistantships that help many people, but never anything to tackle the root of the problem. It's quite obvious that they don't care when people cry for help then get gunned down for crying. Kaepernick has seen this when the whole country is talking about police brutality and the political correctness between Black Lives Matter vs. All Lives Matter and not the issue itself with innocent people being murdered by someone with a badge. Kaepernick and others have been protesting over a year now, yet the only thing being talked about is the flag itself and not the reason people that have lost their lives.

Colin Kaepernick's protest and 2pac's art is one in the same. Both have powerful messages and stand for justice for the people. As you can see 2pac has had an influence in Kaepernick's life. He heard the cries of 2pac, embodied the qualities that 2pac has stood for and it shows today. Kaepernick has made a pledge to donate 1 million dollars to organizations in the inner city communities. Many media outlets have yet to highlight these actions and continue to paint Kaepernick as a menace like they did 2pac. The connection between the two is so deep and enjoyable, this is why we hip-hop.