Why Kaepernicks protest failed to spark a movement | Bomani Jones & Jason England

Why Kaepernicks protest failed to spark a movement | Bomani Jones & Jason England

From The Right Time with Bomani Jones by Wave

August 27, 2026 · 48 min

About this episode

Bomani Jones and Jason England discuss the impact of Colin Kaepernick's protest and the evolution of athlete activism over the past decade.

Bomani Jones is joined by Jason England for the fourth and final episode of a historical retrospective series looking back at Colin Kaepernick, a decade after his initial protest. In this episode, Bo and Jason wrap up the discussion by exploring whether Kaepernick's action sparked a lasting movement or was simply a moment in time. They reflect on the public silence Kaepernick maintained after 2017 and question how it impacted his role as a public figure and a symbol of resistance. The duo delves into the role of social media in modern activism, detailing how corporate co-optation, hollow platitudes, and performative "slacktivism" diluted the energy of the post-George Floyd and post-Kaepernick era. They trace how sports media shifted back to a narrow focus on the games, effectively squeezing out the general sports columnists and voices trying to enforce moral clarity. Ultimately, Bo and Jason evaluate the fading public interest in Kaepernick, the rise of a reactionary societal backlash, and the complex, ongoing struggle defining athlete activism a decade later . . . Subscribe to Supercast for Ad-Free Episodes: https://righttime.supercast.com/ Buy 'The Right Time' merch…

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