Ever since getting the boot from the NFL, Colin Kaepernick has dedicated his life off-the-field to fighting racial inequality. It was only right that he stepped to the plate now that COVID-19 is severely impacting Black and brown communities. “Black and brown communities are being disproportionately devastated by COVID-19 because of hundreds of years of structural racism,” Kap said in a video posted on Twitter on Thursday. “That’s why we’ve established the Know Your Rights Camp COVID-19 Fund to help address these issues.”
The organization’s website says the donations will go towards partnerships with local restaurants to purchase and distribute food to local essential workers. Additionally, the money will aid shelter relief, informing the communities on how and why COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting the people, pay bails with the intent to reduce the prison population and slow down the spread of the virus, and acquiring and distributing personal protective equipment (PPE). The former quarterback donated $100,000 to jumpstart the relief fund. The fund is still in its early stages but it’s already making strides. Essential workers at the Brooklyn Hospital Center received 75 meals, in addition to covering the gratuity for the chefs and delivery people on behalf of Colin Kaepernick’s organization. The Know Your Rights campaign efforts will most likely expand to New York City, Chicago, St. Louis and Milwaukee, as they were listed on the official website as cities with black populations that have been hit hardest by COVID-19.