Ava DuVernay leads stars boycotting the Super Bowl 'in protest of the NFL's racist treatment of Colin Kaepernick'
High-profile figures are announcing their intentions to sit out this Super Bowl Sunday.
Following Cardi B’s refusal to perform during the halftime show alongside Maroon 5 — though she will star in a Super Bowl commercial for Pepsi — director Ava DuVernay has announced via Twitter that she’s tuning out.
“To watch the game is to compromise my beliefs,” the Selma filmmaker said, adding the #ImWithKap hashtag to indicate her support of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. DuVernay also accused the NFL of subjecting Kaepernick — who has been without a team over outcry of his taking a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality against people of color — to “racist treatment.”
I will not be a spectator, viewer or supporter of the #SuperBowl today in protest of the @NFL’s racist treatment of @Kaepernick7 and its ongoing disregard for the health + well-being of all its players. To watch the game is to compromise my beliefs. It’s not worth it. #ImWithKap pic.twitter.com/fNEeke0crs
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) February 3, 2019
DuVernay’s protest comes weeks after Common voiced similar support for Kaepernick, saying the NFL “basically blackballed” the athlete. The Oscar winner is also sharing the #ImWithKap hashtag, with LeBron James, Angela David, Nick Cannon and Rosanna Arquette among those showing support.
🔥🔥🔥 @KingJames pic.twitter.com/yVGfMJDepT
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) February 2, 2019
"You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time." Dr. Angela Davis. Much Love to @Kaepernick7! pic.twitter.com/YL20cowSz9
— Imagine Justice (@ImaginexJustice) February 3, 2019
Me too
— Rosanna Arquette (@RoArquette) February 3, 2019
#ImWithKap #7Challenge! I am donating $7 to Colin’s Know Your Rights Camp. The number 7 symbolizes Kap’s jersey number. I challenge you to donate $7 to @YourRightsCamp and nominate 7 others to do the same. Go to https://t.co/Bonrfn2Jf2 and click donate. @Kaepernick7 pic.twitter.com/upSma6Hcxs
— Nick Cannon (@NickCannon) February 3, 2019
Ya already know?🏾 #imwithkap pic.twitter.com/UHtodz4zSJ
— Jill Marie Jones (@MsJillMJones) February 3, 2019
We will not be supporting the #SuperBowl due to the NFL's racist treatment of Colin Kaepernick.
A new report shows that the NFL polled fans to see if Kaepernick being on a team would hurt the brand: https://t.co/OQnHDMmdMi #TakeAKnee #ImWithKap pic.twitter.com/zE2j8heXjU
— The Root (@TheRoot) February 3, 2019
And what’s Super Bowl Sunday without the Super Bowl? For some, it’s Janet Jackson Appreciation Day, a nod to the pop star who was famously excoriated after her “wardrobe malfunction” — unfairly, many say — during the 2004 halftime show.
Super Bowl, what's that? I rather celebrate #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay
Queen finally got in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame after years of haters trying to deny her effortless impact! pic.twitter.com/rKQkMNIPru
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) February 3, 2019
Happy #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay! pic.twitter.com/ADqItttvjw
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) February 3, 2019
ahem *taps mic* #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay https://t.co/s60HpWZPNd
— Carolyn Malachi (@Carolyn_Malachi) February 3, 2019
Meanwhile, Maroon 5 band member PJ Morton spoke to People about fending off criticism for headlining this year’s halftime show.
“I think there are plenty of people — a lot of the players, to be honest — who support Kap and also do their job for the NFL,” Morton said. “I think we’re doing the same thing. We can support being against police brutality against black and brown people and be in support of being able to peacefully protest and still do our jobs. We just want to have a good time and entertain people while understanding the important issues that are at hand.
A post shared by PJ Morton (@pjmorton) on Feb 2, 2019 at 5:35pm PST
“You can get bogged down by those things; we’re not focusing on the negative now [while] being aware, being open and definitely not ignoring the voices,” he added. “But we’re definitely not focusing on the things that don’t help, that are counterproductive. We’re blocking out the noise. We’re just doing what we do. We look to have a good time.”
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