In the world of Marvel Comics, Steve Rogers, a patriotic kid from Brooklyn, becomes America's Captain, the living embodiment of our best ideals, values, and fundamental decency. Sure, he's human and imperfect, but no one ever questions his love of country. Even when he's wrong, Cap's heart is in the right place and Old Glory covers it. His uniform is a virtual Betsy Ross-approved adaptation of the Stars and Stripes.
In the movie version of Marvel's "Civil War" storyline (like its comic's predecessor) Captain America is faced with a choice. Does he cooperate with a law he believes violates the principles to which he's dedicated his life? Or does he essentially sit out the National Anthem to defend beliefs that are more real and fundamental than a piece of fabric or any other mere symbol? You see, Captain America is loyal to what he believes America stands for and not simply to the nation's window dressing. His shield, America's flag, its National Anthem, or any symbol you can name, are worthless if we trample the ideals and values they are designed to represent.
Cap gets this. Colin Kaepernick's critics don't. Instead, many have chosen to focus on symbolism in the face of injustice, defending fabric instead of fundamentals.
The 49ers' quarterback is exercising a critically important and most basic American right when he protests against a government he believes is abusing power. In the case of Steve Rogers, and perhaps Colin Kaepernick, this isn't just a right but is a patriotic responsibility. How do you think such a protest would fly in Putin's Russia, in North Korea, or in Iran? And aren't you proud to live in a country where you can stand up to government and not only avoid jail, or worse, while becoming part of a proud American tradition that is older than the nation itself.
None of this means Kaepernick is immune to criticism. Iron Man thought Cap was wrong and let him know it. But Tony Stark never questioned Steve Rogers' patriotism or intentions. He just disagreed with him. And here's the thing, you don't need to agree with Kaepernick about his cause or his tactics in order to respect his right to protest, his expression of responsibility, or his intentions. We can and should have a separate discussion about the reasons for his protest, one that goes much deeper than talk show chatter. But questioning the man's intentions and judgment is a misguided and empty exercise that distracts us from real issues that demand our attention.
Members of my family, including my father and stepfather, have served as members of the US military. And many of my friends are either veterans or active members. None that I've spoken to put their lives on the line to defend fabric or songs that have little meaning if we fail to remember that they are intended to represent something greater. Colin Kaepernick isn't disrespecting our flag, National Anthem, or the sacrifices of the men and women that risk their lives to defend the ideals those symbols represent; he's honoring them in a manner that goes far beyond symbolism.
It's easy to simply stand for the National Anthem or to applaud veterans at sporting events. It's unimaginably difficult to serve during wartime. It's also difficult to stand (or in this case, kneel) for social justice in the face of critics who question your motives and methods. Colin Kaepernick is putting his name, reputation, and career on the line for something he believes in. It's a proud and quintessential American tradition. Captain America would agree. He might even choose to take a knee.