Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick became a central figure in social justice protests to bring attention to the situations that Black Americans have to deal with on a daily basis.
Now, Kaepernick is sharing details of his upbringing and admitting that there were times when his adoptive white parents were “problematic” in the ways they handled racial issues.
The former San Francisco 49ers star recently released a graphic novel called Change the Game about how he came to terms with his racial identity while growing up in a house with white parents. Kaepernick recalls several disagreements and arguments that he had with his parents that revolved around racism and other problematic situations.
“I know my parents loved me. But there were still very problematic things that I went through,” the former quarterback said to CBS News in an interview. “I think it was important to show that, no, this can happen in your own home, and how we move forward collectively while addressing the racism that is being perpetuated.”
In one example, when a young Kaepernick got cornrows in his hair, his adoptive mother is seen saying “He’s getting what rolls?” in the graphic novel. He said that after styling his hair that way, his mom told him it was “not professional” and he “looked like a little thug.”
Kaepernick said that situations like this helped him to figure out his own identity and what was important in his life.
“Those become spaces where it’s like, ‘Okay, how do I navigate the situation now?’ But it also has informed why I have my hair long today,” Kaepernick told CBS.
[CBS News]
