Ruth Bader Ginsburg Ginsberg, also known as Notorious RBG, said Colin Kaepernick‘s decision to kneel during the national anthem is “dumb.”
In an interview with Katie Couric for Yahoo, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg shared her thoughts on various topics including Donald Trump‘s plan to ban Muslims and Hillary Clinton being the first female president.
Couric also asked her, how does she feel about San Francisco 49ers quarterback Kaepernick’s protests. To put it in context, for the past few months Mr. Kaepernick, in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and the many black men killed by the police, has been kneeling during the national anthem.
Kaepernick, who is biracial, said he refused to stand or place his hand on his heart because he wants black people to be fairly treated in America. Kaepernick’s protests have been bashed by some – especially those in the military and praised by others – the sales of his jerseys have skyrocketed. Moreover, many other athletes joined in the silent demonstration by sitting or kneeling during the national anthem.
Ginsburg did not mince her words. She said that what the football star has been doing is disrespectful, dumb, and arrogant. Ginsburg said that while Kaepernick has the right to protest, his actions are stupid. Ginsburg said:
“I think it’s really dumb of them. Would I arrest them for doing it? No. I think it’s dumb and disrespectful. I would have the same answer if you asked me about flag burning. I think it’s a terrible thing to do, but I wouldn’t lock a person up for doing it. I would point out how ridiculous it seems to me to do such an act.”
Couric then asked:
“But when it comes to these football players, you may find their actions offensive, but what you’re saying is, it’s within their rights to exercise those actions?”
Ginsburg replied by saying:
“Yes, if they want to be stupid, there’s no law that should be preventive. If they want to be arrogant, there’s no law that prevents them from that. What I would do is strongly take issue with the point of view that they are expressing when they do that.”
Ginsburg is not the only public figure to comment on Kaepernick, President Barack Obama, and Donald Trump also weighed in. Trump called Kaepernick’s actions “a terrible thing” and added:
“Maybe he should find a country that works better for him, let him try, it won’t happen.”
Kaepernick quickly replied by bashing Trump’s campaign slogan. He said:
“He always says, ‘Make America great again.’ Well, America has never been great for people of color and that’s something that needs to be addressed. Let’s make America great for the first time.”
Ginsburg’s remarks are dividing online commenters. The left is disappointed, and the right feels vindicated.