Shine Now! Magazine September/October Issue Issue 4 Volume 1 | Page 44

I know the issues I speak about are real and very authentic. In a world of oppression and delusional beliefs, collective efforts like the “Black Lives Matter” movement and all other movements supporting the cause of empowerment of marginalized groups are maliciously attacked. They are often isolated by societal powers and those who participate in activism are often, targeted, killed and embarrassed! Most who rise up to the platforms of social justice are often pounced upon like prey for political slaughter. Minorities, in entertainment who do not continue in conformity and submission to the powers that be are quickly attacked and their platforms become dismantled. These public figures have been appointed by the general public as leadership. No matter their qualifications or life experiences, we treat them as leaders because they are the face of our culture in the media. Just recently, the NOW former starting quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, Colin Kaepernick exercised his right to remain seated during the playing of the national anthem. By doing so he seemingly fired a shot which was heard around the world. The real question is what did he do? One thing for sure, he agitated a whole lot of people by simply exercising his constitutional rights to passively protest. According to media powerhouse; Inside Edition, the young man stated that he would not like to 44