Colin Karpernick

Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the national anthem

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick set the Internet on fire over the weekend after he refused to stand for the national anthem before a game on Friday. Afterward, Kaepernick said that he was "not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," alluding to the fatal police shootings of African-Americans in the U.S. He later said he would "continue to sit" during the anthem. The NFL said he was allowed to do so.

When "I feel like that flag represents what it's supposed to represent, and this country is representing people the way it's supposed to — I'll stand," he said.

Outrage followed, with many scolding the quarterback for having the gall to criticize the goings on in a country that's allowed him to earn millions. How could this man criticize the oppression of others, the idea went, when he himself is doing so well?

USA Today, August 29th 2016

- NFL : National Football League

- outrage = indignity

- to scold: gronder ; ici : critiquer/attaquer

- to have the gall to : avoir le toupet/le culot de

- to stand for: prendre position, se battre pour qch

A - Comprehension

1) Who is Colin Kaepernick?

Colin Kaepernick is an American football player, the San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback. It’s a verry famous football player.

2) What is American football? What’s the American word for the kind of football played in Europe?

It’s a team sport of 11 players who alternate between attack and defence. To score a point, you have to put the ball in the opponent's zone. The soccer.

3) What did Kaepernick do?

Kaepernick kneeling down during the national anthem before a game.

4) Why did it cause so many reactions?

Because people find it inappropriate for him to criticise a country that makes him millions and he is concerned about this oppression when he is doing well

5) What are the ‘fatal police shootings of African-Americans in the US’ Kaepernick refers to?

It refers to police violence against blackn people. For instance George Floyd died because he couldn’t breathe because a policeman had his knee on his throat.

6) Do you know other sportspeople who have made political statements before?

Megan Rapineo who stands up for the minority avec the LBGTQ+.

7) Do you think athletes or celebrities should take a stand for their political ideas?

Yes, because their words can be heard as they are influential people. Certain causes could be put forward, their words could make things happen.

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