Colin Kaepernick s’agenouille pendant l’hymne pour dénoncer l’injustice raciale et la violence policière, dans un contexte Black Lives Matter qui déclenche des débats au sein de la NFL.

The example is in English to help you practice 😉

Context

In the years before 2016, cases of disproportionate police violence against Black Americans gained media attention; high-profile cases included Trayvon Martin (2012), Michael Brown (2014), and Eric Garner (2014), sparking national outrage.

Black Lives Matter (BLM), founded in 2013, gained momentum advocating against systemic racism and police violence, calling for accountability and reform.

Ready-to-use example

In August 2016, Colin Kaepernick, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, began sitting during the national anthem at NFL preseason games to protest racial injustice and police brutality, which initially went largely unnoticed.

He then switched to kneeling as a more respectful gesture, stating: "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color."

Teammate Eric Reid joined him, and other athletes across sports followed, amplifying the protest's visibility and impact.

The NFL initially encouraged but did not require players to stand; they later faced pressure, prompting discussions on player conduct and anthem rules.

Kaepernick was not formally "kicked out," but after the 2016 season he became a free agent and no team signed him, which many observers interpreted as a result of his protests.

Let's reflect on that

To help you remember, here are a few questions you can reflect on and discuss with your friends. This could help you feeling more confident during a colle or when finding a leading question.

• Should public figures with large platforms-athletes, influencers, or celebrities-remain strictly apolitical, or do they have a responsibility to use their influence to address social and political issues?
• What role do fans, sponsors, and leagues play in supporting or criticizing athlete activism?
• Can athlete activism lead to real social or political change, or does it mainly generate controversy?
• Is it fair to penalize athletes professionally for taking a public stance on social issues?

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