Kaepernick protest resonates at Oakland barbershop

OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick's decision to not stand during the national anthem has been both criticized and praised.

In Oakland, the buzz of a barber's clipper accompanied the conversation inside Center Stage West on Lakeshore.

The business describes itself as a multi-cultural hair salon for women and men.
Kaepernick's protest resonates with workers and clients here.

"There's no violence. That's his opinion. That's his way of getting attention. If it works for him then it works," said Rolando Rattler, a barber for more than 20 years.
　
Jason Hoopes says he teaches music at Bayhill High in Berkeley.

He says Kaepernick's critics are missing the point of his protest.

"There is a great, great disrespect…beyond sitting down for the national anthem. What's going on in a corrupt broken criminal justice system," said Hoopes.

Monday happened to be the first day of training for a class of recruits at Alameda County Sheriff's Department.
In response to Kaepernick's comments that members of law enforcement only receive six months of training, the Sheriff's Department has extended an invitation to the 49er quarterback.

"We thought it would be best if Colin Kaepernick came out and saw exactly what we do," says Sgt J.D. Nelson with the Sheriff's Department.

Sgt. Nelson says recruits go through 28 weeks of basic training with an additional 12 to 15 weeks of field training. There's also Urban Shield, which is special swat training.

Nelson says the invitation is a way to open a dialogue with Kaepernick .

"Are you going to be a person who that's just going to levy criticism be a Monday morning quarterback, levy criticism without doing anything about it, or do you want to come out and see what we have to offer, " says Sgt. Nelson.

Back at Center Stage, one hairstylist, an African American woman, says an invitation to Kaepernick to see how law enforcement trains does not address the problem of racism, injustice and unfair treatment of communities of color by law enforcement.

"If it's justice for all, for whom? Not for me. When I see a cop, my heart skips a beat because he's going to judge me. He's going to stop me for something," says Angela Fairley, a stylist who's raising three children.
Kaepernick's supporters say he is bringing attention to the uneven playing field that blacks and other minorities face.

They say not standing during the national anthem does not mean disrespect for the military or law enforcement.

In our Question of the Day on Tuesday, Aug. 30, we asked during our morning broadcasts:

"IF YOU COULD MAKE THE DECISION:  WOULD YOU KEEP COLIN KAEPERNICK ON THE 49ERS?  WHY OR WHY NOT?"

Below are some responses from the KTVU Facebook page. Click here to add your thoughts!