Analysis of the photo of colin kaepernick kneeling during the anthem

Photos have the ability and power to change the world, they play a significant part in the wokeness of the people. In the photo, Colin Kaepernick and two other players are kneeling during the anthem, the simple act that made him lose everything and become the face of the #BlackLivesMatterMovement nationwide.

The photo was taken at a 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams football game at the Levi’s stadium during America’s national anthem. Kneeling during the anthem was a peaceful protest against the ongoing police brutality and the oppression of black people in America. The simple act was turned into a direct resistance against the POTUS, Donald Trump after he declared the act unpatriotic and demanded like an insolent child that they get fired from their jobs. The NFL responded by giving fines to the players who did so, which later turned into Colin Kaepernick getting fired. It also led to more spotlight being shed on the movement, as well as, gain more support. The mood of the photo is resilience and how willing they are to give up everything because of how much they believe in it. Colin Kaepernick began kneeling after an army veteran told him to, explaining that they kneel in front of a fallen soldier’s grave as a sign of respect, Colin did so to show that he was being respectful but to furthermore show that he wouldn’t be complicit in the persecution of black lives; ergo the true message of the photo.

I believe that the message of the photo will change overtime similar to other photos of protesting for equality between races, before it was criminalized and many people stood against the change, but now, people see that they were on the right side of history which will be equivalent to the movement. I chose this particular photo because it is something that I truly believe in and I am a huge supporter of this cause. Another reason why I chose this photo was because this was a great learning moment for me, as well as, an example to fight for what I believe in even if I become undone in the process. This photo is significant to everything that is currently going on because it is directly relevant and sums up the whole movement, peaceful protests whose meanings are hijacked. This is a clear example of the importance of photography and its impact on the world, and consequently, it draws out raw emotions from us.