The nation’s largest group of professional educators bestowed its highest honor on Colin Kaepernick earlier this week for his efforts in advancing human and civil rights.
The National Education Association recognized the former NFL quarterback with its President’s Award for his work with his “Know Your Rights Camp.”
The camp, which provides resources to black, brown, and poor youths so they know about their rights as human beings, operates in New York City and the Bay Area.
Fully funded by Kaepernick, the camp derives some of its inspiration from the political legacy of the Black Panthers.
“The human and civil rights champions we honor tonight are the epitome of the fierce urgency of now that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke about in his ‘I have a Dream speech,’” NEA President Lily Eskelsen García said at the ceremony. “Through their deeds and actions, they have demonstrated remarkable courage and conviction to stand up for racial and social justice.”
The NEA also honored Michelle Obama for focusing her attention on advancing opportunities for women and girls while serving as First Lady with its Mary Hatwood Futrell Award.
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