Iranian Soccer Team Schools Kaepernick In Powerful National Anthem Protests Against Violent Oppression Of Women In Iran

Colin Kaepernick taking a knee on an NFL football field during the American national anthem is NOTHING compared to what the Iranian soccer team just did. In their first match of the World Cup against England, the Iranian soccer players stood silently during the playing of their team’s national anthem. They refused to sing a single word, standing solemnly with arms around each other.

Some feel it wasn’t even their national anthem, but rather the anthem of the current violently occupying force in Iran.

Many have pointed out the potential consequences of this action for these players. Unlike Colin Kaepernick, who ended up making millions in book deals, sponsorships, documentaries, speaking engagements, sports contracts, etc, these men have put themselves and their families in very real mortal danger for daring to so publicly disrespect the violent regime which currently oppresses their country. They were clearly emotional about it, likely a combination of the horror of what was happening at home and the apprehension of what might happen to them or their families after their protest. But they did it in solidarity with Iranian women, who are ACTUALLY oppressed. Not the kind of ‘oppressed’ Colin Kaepernick thinks he is, where he makes millions of dollars and has limitless opportunities in a land of freedom and equality. No, the kind of oppression where you can be raped, tortured, and murdered by pretty much anyone for pretty much any reason. The kind where you can be stripped of all opportunities and even all basic human rights. The kind where you aren’t even allowed to show your face in public. These men refused to sing an anthem in support of such a violent and oppressive regime. And in so doing, they have drawn a very conspicuous target on their backs and the backs of everyone they love. And yet, on arguably the largest a global stage in existence, the World Cup, these men bravely remained silent in protest of REAL oppression. Take a knee, Colin. Seriously, take all the knees.