A thought-provoking documentary film for Black History Month library programming is Kaepernick & America. This powerful film is sure to ignite discussion and even provoke arguments because football star Colin Kaepernick has aroused passionate discussions with his decision to take a knee before football games during Star Spangled Banner performances. The educational documentary will be of interest to football fans. The film also combines themes of history, sociology, dissections of race and patriotism, examinations of celebrity, activism, and symbolism.
The story unfolds with year title cards. Journalists and people who know “Kap” speak about him and his circumstances. We observe how Kaepernick’s fortunes change: from promising young athlete to rising star, to lightning rod figure who ignites strong reactions on both sides of the racial divide.
A quick summary: Kaepernick, a biracial football quarterback, becomes the star QB for the San Francisco 49ers. He also expresses his discomfort with police brutality in the US and fulfills a sense of activism that becomes stronger within him. At first, he sits during renditions of the National Anthem that precedes games, After receiving criticism, Kap decides instead to take a knee, (go down on one knee) to show his condemnation of overt patriotism and violence against Blacks and people of color in the US.
He is greeted with boos and more but also cheers. We see clips of people shooting at his effigy, of former fans burning replicas of his jersey, and other violent actions. As events unfold, we understand that this is a compelling story and a mournful reminder that racism is ever-present in modern America. We see connections to the rise of right-wing politics, especially manifested in Trump and his allies. As someone who isn’t a big fan of football, I hadn’t realized how lengthy Kap’s decision was, and how it had developed over a few seasons.
Who would have thought that Colin’s decisions would galvanize America so greatly, especially in the 2020s? Yet we see he is part of a historic cohort of African American athletes who have made challenging statements, such as Muhammad Ali (about the Vietnam War), Tommie Smith and John Carlos with their Black Power salute at the 1968 Olympics, and other sportsmen.
Kap taking a knee (as well as a few other football players) spurred righteous anger on both sides, but this film shows that right-wingers seemed more outraged, and their reactions were more extreme. We see segments where supporters of Kap paint murals and shake his hand, while those who oppose him shoot dummies, make threatening videos, and offer other angry statements.
Although we hear from Kaepernick in the footage, he doesn’t speak on camera whereas Don Lemon and other people do. At times, the pace of clips and the editing are dizzying, but it is effective. Lemon points out that Kap will go from vilified to revered “over the long arc of history” and this is something to ponder. We also see how the NFL failed him, even though Nike gave him an endorsement deal. The documentary shows how Kap sacrificed his athletic career, and also exposed himself to a host of dangers, with his political stances against police brutality and racism.
The theme of Black History Month 2023 is “Black Resistance” and thus Colin Kaepernick has his role in this continuum. Consider this educational documentary for public screenings in academic, library, and non-theatrical spaces along with post-discussions about racism, power in the United States, white supremacy, and how it manifests. Kaepernick & America.
The Kaepernick & America documentary is a truly exceptional piece of filmmaking that is both educational and emotional. It is an unflinching look at some of the most pressing issues facing our society today.
What kind of film collection would this title be suitable for?
It would be suitable for film collections in both academic and public libraries related to Black History, contemporary American history, sports (especially football), and racial issues
How can this documentary be used as an educational resource?
Professors or high school teachers should host a public screening of this title to spark discussions on the history of race, the 1st Amendment, and if athletes should speak on public issues,