Colin Kaepernick is sharing an important story from his childhood to make a point. During a resurfaced March interview with CBS News, the former football player and activist shared that his adoptive parents made some problematic comments about his appearance. The call-out wasn't easy for him to do, but he still felt it was necessary.
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During the interview, Kaepernick explained that despite his white adoptive parents' love for him, they were guilty of perpetuating racist stereotype in their home when he was growing up.
"I know my parents loved me, but there were still very problematic things that I went through," he said.
"I think it was important to show, 'No, this can happen in your own home.' And how do we move forward collectively while addressing the racism that is being perpetuated," he added.
Kaepernick detailed his mother's reaction to him having cornrows as a child. He added that his mom said his braids were "not professional," telling him "you look like a little thug."
"Those become spaces where it’s like, ‘How do I navigate this situation now?’ But it also has informed why I have my hair long today," he continued.
The moment was also shown in the 2021 Netflix series based on his life, Colin in Black and White.
Weeks after the CBS interview, Kaepernick shared that calling out his parents' racism was "very difficult."
"The people that love you and that you love can also perpetuate very problematic elements," he said during a conversation with Eve Ewing, the cowriter of his graphic novel Change the Game.
"Those things can exist at the same time."
