Gabe Kapler is ready to turn the page now that Opening Day is finally here, but the Giants manager insisted Thursday he won’t leave behind his public support for eradicating systemic racism in the country.
In a lengthy Twitter post hours before starting the season in Los Angeles, Kapler explained in more detail what motivated him to become the first known manager or head coach in one of the four major pro sports leagues to kneel in protest during the national anthem earlier this week. And why his mission for justice is far from over.
— gabe kapler (@gabekapler) July 23, 2020
“I kneel because I’m unhappy with the injustice in our country,” Kapler wrote to begin his more than 600-word tweet expounding on why he joined other Giants in kneeling before games against the A’s Monday and Tuesday.
“Kneeling is and has always been a gesture of respect and one of mourning. I respect our flag, our principles and our country, but I am also embarrassed, sad and angry that we do not provide for and protect everyone equally,” Kapler wrote.
The first-year Giants manager certainly struck a nerve when he knelt alongside a group of Giants to silently protest. As Kapler noted, not all of the reactions were positive. Most notably, President Trump took aim at Kapler and the Giants.
“Looking forward to live sports, but any time I witness a player kneeling during the National Anthem, a sign of great disrespect for our Country and our Flag, the game is over for me!,” Trump tweeted.
Undeterred, Kapler said the fight for racial and social justice must continue, even if
the message gets blurred by those in position of leadership.
“There’s nobody that should make us stop doing the right thing,” Kapler told reporters Tuesday. “It doesn’t matter what leader says that they’re not going to be following a game.”
Trump wasn’t the only one voicing displeasure over the Giants’ protests. Kapler said many were supportive, but he was disappointed that there were a lot of inappropriate negative reactions.
“Many others used bigoted language, racist, sexist, or homophobic insults or resorted to graphic threats,” Kapler wrote. “But I am struck by the reaction. Black Lives Matter is a movement and a statement that should be a unifying belief. “And justice for all” should be a unifying belief.”
After referencing Dr. Martin Luther King’s push for racial equality, Kapler ended his own message by saying he’ll remain in the fight for what’s right.
“I will call out injustice when I see it. I reject hatred and bigotry.”
