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Colin Kaepernick didn’t vote

Los Angeles Rams v San Francisco 49ers

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers kneels in protest during the national anthem prior to playing the Los Angeles Rams in their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on September 12, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)

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Colin Kaepernick began a national dialogue on issues of race and police brutality when he sat for the national anthem. But when it came time to have a say in America’s direction, Kaepernick punted.

Kaepernick, the 49ers quarterback who is an outspoken critic of racial injustice, confirmed to reporters on Tuesday that he didn’t vote.

In one respect, that’s not surprising: Kaepernick has been highly critical of both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. He didn’t think there was a real difference between the two candidates for president.

It’s more surprising that Kaepernick apparently also doesn’t much care about the difference between the two candidates for U.S. Senate in California, doesn’t think any of the state and local elections matter, and doesn’t think any of the propositions matter. Does Kaepernick really see no connection at all between any of those races and the issues he speaks out about?

If Kaepernick cares about police mistreatment of black men in America, he should care about the way America is governed. He didn’t care enough to vote.