HART researcher, Dr Nikolas Dickerson, has recently co-authored with Dr Matt Holder (University of Rhode Island) an article published in the Journal of Sport & Social Issues. The article focuses on the San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, who kneeled for the playing of the national anthem, arguing that he was “not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color”.
Kaepernick received a vicious backlash for this action, with many White fans/media pundits accusing him of disrespecting the flag and the United States’ military. His act occurred during the highly contentious US presidential election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, during which the Trump campaign mobilised discourses of White nationalism. In the article, the authors read critically and analytically internet memes of Colin Kaepernick, to examine the relationship between race, gender, and the nation, during the rise of Donald Trump to the presidency. Access to the article on the SAGE website can be found here.
