Starting Your Dreams Later In Life and Embracing the Detour

Jenee Darden speaking at Creative Mornings I know it's been a while since I've posted anything but that's because of my job. I'm working as a reporter covering Oakland and I host an arts segment on the radio where I get to interview amazing artists from around the Bay Area. Plus I'm publicizing my book  and building my speaking career!  You know what's funny? I thought this would all happen by the time I was 27-30.  Nope. That wasn't God's plan for me. I'm finally beginning to do the things I've wanted to do and I'm almost 40 years old. Some people reading this who are 40 will say 40 is still young. But some younger people reading may think 40 is nearly ancient. But I'm writing this post for those who like me, thought their career and personal dreams would come true much early in life. I'm here to tell you not to give up.  You know, death inspires life. A number of my relatives and friends have passed away, ranging in
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Why Colin Kaepernick's Anthem Protest Doesn't Surprise Me

Source: Instagram
Colin Kaepernick shocked football fans when he refused to stand for the National Anthem during a preseason game. Kaepernick explained to the press:

"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."

 I've been following Kap on Instagram for over a year. He has been very open about his disappointment with the unjust police killings of unarmed Black AMERICANS. If you go on his Instagram there are quotes from Malcolm X and  Dr. King. You'll see images of the Black Panther Party and comments about the death of Sandra Bland. This sentiment is nothing new. And he has taken a lot of crap from people on social media before this sit down protest for speaking out against racial injustice. 

 Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, many white people are caught up in what he did and not WHY he did it. Here are a few thoughts: 
  • For the record I have friends and family who are veterans and work/worked in law enforcement. So I'm coming from different angles in my opinion.
  • I understand if people don't agree with his tactic, but it's sad and sickening that they're not recognizing why he sat down. They're not talking about him standing up for racially motivated killings by bad cops. Which shows how little importance Black lives are to some people. 
  • An argument that I keep reading is that he is disrespecting the lives of veterans who fought for his freedom. But he has the freedom and the right to not stand. That's allowed in this country. 
  • People are saying he's disrespecting veterans. There are Black veterans concerned about these killings. There are Black veterans who have been racially profiled by police. The flag isn't protecting their freedom from racism. Who is standing up for them? Also do some research on racism in the military. Research how Black veterans were treated after coming home from World War II and Vietnam. 
  • People are calling Kaepernick unpatriotic but how we mistreat our veterans is unpatriotic. I know saluting the flag is a way of showing our appreciation to our veterans, but the flag is not providing them housing, healthcare and jobs. We need to do more than salute a flag for our veterans. 
  • He's putting his reputation, football career and endorsements on the line. The comments are so hateful. Which is another reason why I think he is doing this out of sincerity. This may end his career. 
  • His wealth, being adopted by white parents and being half-white are not reasons why he shouldn't silently and peacefully protest. He sees something is wrong and is saying something about it. His race and income shouldn't matter that he cares about innocent lives being lost to hatred. 
  • Racist cops getting away with murder doesn't help the Black community, nor good cops. The Black community continues to live in fear. While good cops are not trusted by civilians. The silence from non-Black people only makes it worse. 
  • I've seen more anger over Colin Kaepernick peacefully sitting down than over Ryan Lochte acting like a fool and a thug in Brasil, then lying about it. Ryan Lochte gets called a "kid" and Colin Kaepernick is called all kinds of nasty names for sitting down. 
  • Don't say you love and admire Muhammad Ali and Jackie Robinson, but take issue with Colin Kaepernick. They also did something similar. Same goes for the Black Olympians in the 1968.
  • An American can still criticize injustice in this country, call for our nation to do better and still appreciate the service of our veterans. As I said, we need to do more for our veterans than stand up for the National Anthem and flag. 

Colin Kaepernick is taking a lot of heat and hatred for this. Disagree with the tactic all you want, but he's making people talk about the issue. 

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