Castro T-Shirt: Kaepernick's Political Fashion Statement

In August 2016, NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick wore a T-shirt featuring images of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro and civil rights activist Malcolm X. The shirt, which bore the slogan Like Minds Think Alike, was worn during a press conference after the San Francisco 49ers' third preseason game. This sparked controversy, with some viewing it as contradictory to his boycott of the national anthem in protest of racial injustice and the oppression of minorities in the US. In the aftermath, Kaepernick praised Castro's investment in Cuba's education system and healthcare, while also clarifying that he was a believer in Malcolm X and his ideology.

Colin Kaepernick's Fidel Castro t-shirt

In August 2016, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick wore a T-shirt featuring images of former Cuban dictator Fidel Castro and 1960s civil rights activist Malcolm X. The shirt, which bore the phrase "Like minds think alike", was worn to a news conference after the 49ers' third preseason game, during which Kaepernick's refusal to stand during the national anthem became a major national story.

Kaepernick's decision to wear the shirt sparked controversy, with some viewing it as contradictory to his stance against social injustice, given Castro's human rights violations against the Cuban people. In the face of this backlash, Kaepernick defended his decision, explaining that he was "not talking about Fidel Castro and his oppression" but rather "Malcolm X and what he's done for people".

Kaepernick elaborated on his decision by praising the Cuban leader's investment in education:

> "One thing that Fidel Castro did do is they have the highest literacy rate because they invest more in their education system than they do in their prison system, which we do not do here, even though we’re fully capable of doing that."

Kaepernick's comments were made public on the same day that Castro's death was announced, leading to further criticism of the quarterback's apparent support for the dictator.

The Malcolm X connection

In August 2016, Colin Kaepernick wore a T-shirt depicting a meeting between Fidel Castro and Malcolm X. The shirt, which bore the phrase "Like minds think alike", was worn to a news conference after the 49ers' third preseason game. This was also when his refusal to stand during the national anthem became a major national story.

Kaepernick, who has been one of the most outspoken athletes in the US, has defended his choice of clothing, saying that it showed Malcolm X's willingness to be "open-minded" about aspects of the world. He also clarified that he was "not talking about Fidel Castro and his oppression. I’m talking about Malcolm X and what he’s done for people."

Kaepernick has also said that he will not "cut out pieces of Malcolm’s life", referring to the meeting between the two figures in Harlem in 1960, which he called "a historic moment".

The quarterback has further stated that he "admires" Malcolm X, calling him "a great leader for the African community".

Kaepernick's defence of his t-shirt

In August 2016, Colin Kaepernick wore a T-shirt bearing photos of Malcolm X and Fidel Castro. The shirt also featured the slogan "Like Minds Think Alike". This fashion choice sparked controversy, particularly among Cuban-Americans, as it appeared to show support for Castro, an oppressive dictator with a poor human rights record.

Kaepernick defended his choice of clothing, explaining that he wore the shirt specifically as a tribute to Malcolm X, whose ideology and fight against oppression he believes in. He also pointed out that the shirt depicted Malcolm X's meeting with Castro in Harlem in 1960, which demonstrated that Malcolm X was open-minded and willing to hear different views.

When pressed about his views on Castro, Kaepernick praised the Cuban leader for investing in education and having a high literacy rate, claiming that the United States could do more to invest in its education system rather than its prison system. He also pushed back against the idea that he supported Castro's oppressive regime, stating that he was only talking about Malcolm X and his positive impact.

Kaepernick further argued that the United States also has a history of breaking up families through mass incarceration, slavery, and the genocide of Native Americans. He clarified that he was not equating the United States with Cuba but rather pointing out that both countries have committed harmful actions.

Kaepernick stood by his decision to wear the shirt, maintaining that he supported Castro's focus on education and free universal healthcare, and that claims of his support for oppression were taken out of context.

Kaepernick's views on education and mass incarceration

In August 2016, Colin Kaepernick wore a T-shirt bearing the image of Fidel Castro, which sparked controversy. Kaepernick defended his choice of clothing by praising the Cuban leader's investment in education over incarceration.

Kaepernick's criticism of the American prison system is twofold. Firstly, he draws attention to the racial disparities within the system, arguing that mass incarceration disproportionately affects communities of color. Secondly, he highlights the inadequacies of the system itself, suggesting that the United States should prioritize investment in education over incarceration.

Kaepernick's stance on these issues has had a significant impact on socio-cultural tensions within K-12 education, with students and administrators navigating their own patriotic views and experiences with race. While some have criticized Kaepernick's methods, his actions have undoubtedly sparked important conversations about race, education, and mass incarceration in the United States.

Reaction from Cuban exiles

Cuban exiles were among the first and most vocal critics of Colin Kaepernick's Fidel Castro T-shirt. One such exile was Miami Herald columnist Armando Salguero, who engaged in a tense exchange with Kaepernick during a press conference call. Salguero accused the quarterback of being a hypocrite and a fraud for appearing to support Castro while claiming to oppose oppression. Kaepernick's defence of his T-shirt choice—that it also depicted Malcolm X, and that he supported Cuba's focus on education and universal healthcare—did little to quell the controversy.

Sergio J. Sixto, a Cuban exile who was imprisoned by Castro, also voiced his outrage. In an interview, Sixto described the harsh conditions he endured in a Cuban prison, claiming that black people are the most repressed group in the country. He asserted that Kaepernick's actions would not be tolerated in Cuba and that the quarterback was ignorant of the true nature of oppression under the Castro regime.

Another prominent critic was UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal, who called out Kaepernick on Instagram, labelling him a "coward" who didn't understand Cuban history. Masvidal, along with other Cuban-American celebrities and politicians, advocated for stronger support for freedom protesters in Cuba.

Frequently asked questions