Colin Kaepernick Creates “Know Your Rights Program” For Children in the Bay Area

Due to the social injustices and police brutality that many minorities face, Colin Kaepernick has extended his social campaign from kneeling during the national anthem to becoming a social activist in his community. Debuted in October 2016, Kaepernick created a summer camp, “Know Your Rights, for underprivileged children from the Bay Area. The purpose of the camp is to educate, empower, and create the next generation of leaders within the black and brown community.

In a speech to the campers, Kaepernick explains what he hopes members of the community gain from his camp. “We want to teach you today about financial literacy, how you can pursue higher education, how you can be physically fit and healthy”, expressed Kaepernick. “We will talk about police brutality, and what to do about it, but we also have lawyers, professors, health and fitness experts, because we want you to be able to live the life of your dreams.”

Taking inspiration from the Black Panthers’, “Ten Point Program”, Kaepernick created his own set of rules for the campers that are similar to the original “Ten Point Program”.

The list writes:

1. You have the right to be free.

2. You have the right to be healthy.

3. You have the right to be brilliant.

4. You have the right to be safe.

5. You have the right to be loved.

6. You have the right to be courageous.

7. You have the right to be alive.

8. You have the right to be trusted.

9. You have the right to be educated.

10. You have the right to know your rights.

In an interview with the Washington Post, Kaepernick expresses how his activism does not end here but shall continue across all realms possible. “This is just the beginning. “What we’ve done here today in Oakland, we want to do all over the country, by bringing together local leaders, local activists, and local youth, and not only giving them the skills and lessons they need, but we want to show them how much we love and value them.” Since “Know Your Rights” first debut in 2016, Kaepernick has expanded his summer camp across the nation. He has introduced his camp to communities in Chicago, Baltimore, New Orleans, New York City, and Miami.

Kaepernick has become a community hero since taking a knee in reverence to victims affected by police brutality and injustices. His bravery and heroism have inspired and encouraged other athletes to take a stance and protest the injustices of America.