KnockturnaLIST: 10 Pop Culture Moments That Took Our Breath Away in 2017

9. Colin Kaepernick Wins 2017 GQ Citizen of The Year Award

Ever since Kaepernick decided to take a knee against standing for the National Anthem in 2016 to protest systemic police brutality against Black people, he has been denounced by NFL owners, News Commentators and Racist folk throughout the nation. Unfortunately, he has even been fired from his position as starting quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers. The NFL has made it their business to blackball Kaepernick and make an example of what happens to players when they exercise their national right to personal activism in the realm of American professional football. Despite Kaepernick’s hardships with the NFL, he has gained a large following from Americans who concede with his actions and believe that as a human on American soil, he had all the right to stand up against such malignant force. As a result of winning GQ magazine’s Citizen Of The Year award, Kaepernick exemplifies courage and upstanding character, standing up and being a scrupulous figure for Black men, young and old, to look up to all around the nation. Sadly, the adversity he endured over the past couple of years merely for non-violent protest shows that no matter who you are, one is still subject to scrutiny and mass denunciation from the powers that be. Although he still hasn’t found a new team yet, he’s found a new role that requires more than just physical dexterity. His new role as an emblem of resistance and activism requires immeasurable heart. Let’s see him keep this up in the new year. #gokaep