It’s easy to be offended by Colin Kaepernick’s sitting down during the National Anthem at a football game. We’re sensitive about national symbols, like the flag or “Star Spangled Banner.”

Before judging him, however, we must acknowledge two significant matters.

The San Francisco quarterback’s protest was to draw attention to police shootings of blacks. While some incidents have been justified, all agree that many were officer over-reaction. They also revealed inadequate officer training for such circumstances.

Also, we must realize that Kaepernick has done exactly what we’ve asked of protesters. When riots broke out in Ferguson and elsewhere following some incident, we told protesters, “We understand your outrage, but there are peaceful ways to highlight your cause.”

That’s precisely what Kaeperneck did. As such, are we not hypocrites to condemn his peaceful protest?

-William A. McCartney

Delaware