Kaepernick talks about his experience growing up in a white family and coming to terms with his racial identity in his new graphic novel, "Change the Game." He describes his upbringing as "problematic" despite acknowledging his parents' love for him.
"I think it was important to show that, no, this can happen in your own home, and how we move forward collectively while addressing the racism that is being perpetuated," he added.
March 10, 2023
One example Kaepernick illustrates in the novel is his fight with his parents during high school over his hairstyle. After being inspired by NBA star Allen Iverson to braid his hair in cornrows, Kaepernick received pushback from his parents. His mother asked, "He's getting what rolls?" and warned him that his hair was "not professional" and made him "look like a little thug."
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Kaepernick explained that these interactions helped shape his decisions as an adult to embrace his ethnicity, including his decision to wear his hair long today.
The former San Francisco 49ers player made national headlines for protesting the national anthem by kneeling on the field during NFL games to raise awareness of police brutality and racism. Since then, Kaepernick has partnered with Netflix for a docudrama series based on his life, endorsed Nike and other major companies, and partnered with Ben & Jerry's to create a non-dairy ice cream flavor, "Change the Whirled."
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