Colin Kaepernick: Hard to have conversations with loved ones about perpetuating ‘problematic elements’

Colin Kaepernick and Eve L. Ewing, co-authors of the previous NFL quarterback’s graphic novel, “Change the Recreation,” talked Thursday about responses they’ve acquired from readers of the e book.

Kaepernick, who criticized his White adoptive mother and father earlier this month, instructed Ewing he’s acquired plenty of suggestions about totally different household dynamics.

“I’ve had plenty of responses from different trans-racial adoptees on that entrance. Similar to having comparable experiences and having comparable household dynamics that they’re attempting to navigate,” the previous San Francisco 49ers quarterback stated. “And I feel it’s as a result of it’s so distinctive.

“It is rather tough for folks to have a nuanced dialog round it to be, like, yeah, the folks that love you and that you simply love can even perpetuate very problematic components, and people issues can exist on the identical time. And a part of it’s, like, how do you grapple with that? How do you navigate that? And particularly at a younger age? And it’s, like, are you geared up to navigate that and are your mother and father geared up to navigate that?”

His remarks got here after he accused his adoptive mother and father of “perpetuating racism” in an interview with CBS. He recalled disagreements together with his mother and father that he attributed to racism, calling his upbringing “problematic.”

CONTROVERSIAL FORMER NBA PLAYER SAYS COLIN KAEPERNICK HAD ‘MOST FREEDOM’ HE EVER FELT AFTER ANTHEM PROTESTS

Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers throws a go through the first half in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Dec. 24, 2016, in Los Angeles.  (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Photos)

“I do know my mother and father beloved me. However there have been nonetheless very problematic issues that I went by means of,” the biracial former quarterback instructed CBS Information.

“I feel it was vital to point out that, no, this will occur in your personal dwelling, and the way we transfer ahead collectively whereas addressing the racism that’s being perpetuated.”

Kaepernick illustrated one particular instance of this within the novel, depicting a combat he had together with his mother and father throughout highschool over his coiffure.

Impressed to braid his hair in cornrows like his hero, NBA star Allen Iverson, Kaepernick recalled getting pushback from his mother and father.

“He is getting what rolls?” his mother says within the graphic novel. 

Kaepernick stated that after styling his hair this manner, his mom steered his hair was “not skilled” and he “appeared like a bit of thug.”

The previous soccer participant turned social justice activist stated these teenage interactions helped form his choices as an grownup to embrace his ethnicity.

ABC Information Studios hosts a screening occasion of “Killing County” from Govt Producer Colin Kaepernick in Burbank, Calif., Feb. 9, 2023. (Phil McCarten/ABC through Getty Photos)

“These change into areas the place it’s like, ‘OK, how do I navigate the state of affairs now?’ Nevertheless it additionally has knowledgeable why I’ve my hair lengthy right this moment,” Kaepernick instructed CBS.

Kaepernick drew nationwide consideration when he began protesting through the nationwide anthem, kneeling on the sphere throughout NFL video games to protest police brutality and racism.

Fox Information’ Kristine Parks contributed to this report.