Tommie Smith and John Carlos made history back in 1968 when they gave the Black Power salute on the winner’s podium during the Summer Olympics. The gesture incensed people across the country, in the same way San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick‘s refusal to stand for the national anthem as a form of protest has the past few days. Now Smith is speaking out in defense of the quarterback.
“Colin is 28 years old and realizing that things are not quite like what ‘they’ said it would be,” Smith said. “He’s just speaking out (but) he used a platform that many Americans don’t agree with. He’s being vilified in how he brings the truth out. I support him because he’s bringing the truth out – regardless of how it’s done.”
Kaepernick defended his position this past weekend: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
And despite criticism, Kaepernick says he will continue to sit during the national anthem until he sees significant change is the lives of black people and people of color in America.
