Heidi Russo and birth son Colin Kaepernick (Twitter/Facebook)
As more supporters and detractors react to Colin Kaepernick’s protest, one unexpected voice is speaking out. Heidi Russo is the 49ers’quarterback’s birthmother. She took to Twitter to share her thoughts on her now 28-year-old son’s political choice.
Kaepernick revealed he will not rise for the national anthem during the upcoming season until “[a] significant change” occurs. He said he made the decision to protest based on the country’s oppression of Black people.
Tagging him in a tweet Aug. 27, Russo told Kaepernick he can “make change without disrespecting and bringing shame” to America. She also said it disgraced the “family who afforded you so many blessings.”
@Kaepernick7 There's ways to make change w/o disrespecting & bringing shame to the very country & family who afforded you so many blessings.
— Heidi Russo (@Heidirn1) August 27, 2016
She followed by sharing some motherly advice, including hashtags that display her experience and told him to “be smarter” and “respectful.”
@Kaepernick7 The path less traveled doesn't need to be one of destruction. #beenthere #besmarter #berespectful
— Heidi Russo (@Heidirn1) August 27, 2016
After many people tweeted her for criticizing the NFL player, Russo commented on users who sit “in their glass houses throwing stones.” The tweet references respondents who questioned why she gave up Kaepernick for adoption in the first place.
Love people who wallow in their ignorance and sit on social media in their glass houses throwing stones. #geteducated #adoptionisablessing
— Heidi Russo (@Heidirn1) August 28, 2016
She included a hashtag that read, “adoption is a blessing.”
Russo then explained Aug. 28 placing her son for adoption was not “giving up” but rather she gave him “the life he deserved.”
PLACING my son for adoption is NOT giving up. It's giving him the life he deserved & love beyond comprehension. Congrats 2ur son.
— Heidi Russo (@Heidirn1) August 28, 2016
The Colorado resident wound up directly responding to some of the backlash she received from Kaepernick supporters.
She pointed out she “never said standing up for injustice is wrong.”
Never said standing up for injustice is wrong. Clearly there's a problem. Don't twist what I said to make a racial point.
— Heidi Russo (@Heidirn1) August 28, 2016
“Don’t twist what I said to make a racial point,” she added.
Thinking a user accused her of being racist for placing half-Black Kaepernick for adoption, Russo denied it. The mother of three other boys said she would have chosen abortion if that were so.
Lol, if I was so ashamed my son is half black, just "dropped him", & am a racist, I think I would've chosen abortion. # besmarter
— Heidi Russo (@Heidirn1) August 28, 2016
As Kaepernick’s protest stemmed from police violence against Black men, Russo also explained she knew there was an issue with police brutality. However, she did not believe killing officers solved the issue.
Clearly there's huge issue w/police brutality & should be held accountable. Killing innocent police officers isn't the solution
— Heidi Russo (@Heidirn1) August 28, 2016
The non-profit co-founder also addressed questions of her not supporting Kaepernick’s cause. She noted she “never said he didn’t have a point or that I didn’t support his cause.”
I NEVER said he didn't have a point or that I didn't support his cause. Again, don't twist what I said.
— Heidi Russo (@Heidirn1) August 30, 2016
Today, Russo shared an opinion piece disagreeing with Kaepernick’s stance, demanding he apologizes and pointing out his wealth.
Message from a non-oppressed black man to Colin Kaepernick… https://t.co/yCk3ajNZFH via @AllenWest
— Heidi Russo (@Heidirn1) August 30, 2016
