Colin Kaepernick shines when it comes to bringing issues of social justice to the limelight.
The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback gained attention last year when he kneeled during the playing of the national anthem, motivated by the oppression faced by minorities in the United States.And now Kaepernick is in the spotlight again for his actions for change.
On Tuesday, Colin stood outside a parole office in NYC to distribute suits to men who are paroled, on probation, or are currently incarcerated. Colin worked with the organization 100 Suits and even donated some of his own clothing. The founder of the organization, Kevin Livingston, explained the importance of this work. In a statement to ATTN:, Livingston explained,
“Our goal is to reduce recidivism and teach young men their worth. We go to Rikers Island and we hold success panels, and we teach them voter registration, and how to dress.”
Dressing sharply proves to be a challenge for newly released prisoners, as the cost of a suit adds additional costs and obstacles as they try to smoothly transition back into life outside of jail. But it is critical to present a clean appearance for a job interview, a crucial step to supporting oneself after release.
ATTN: also spoke with Marc Mauer, the executive director of the Sentencing Project. Mauer explained the importance of released prisoners jumping into the workforce.
“As is true of all citizens, employment provides individuals with the resources they need to support themselves. It also places them in direct contact with other workers, which can reinforce the value of gainful employment and the social norms that go along with that.”
The value of this work cannot be understated, and we applaud Colin Kaepernick for his continual work for social justice. He is a stunning example of how to use your platform for change.
