SANTA CLARA — Colin Kaepernick’s strive for social equality led to a debate about Fidel Castro during a heated conference call Wednesday with a Miami-based reporter.

Kaepernick, on the call to preview the 49ers’ game Sunday at the Miami Dolphins, praised Cuba’s literacy rate and education system under Castro, while again condemning what he believes is oppression throughout America.

Kaepernick’s verbal exchange with a Miami Herald reporter began when the 49ers quarterback got asked about a T-shirt he wore this earlier season with Castro’s image on it.

Here is how the dialogue ensued:

Kaepernick: “I wore a Malcolm X shirt. I am a believer in Malcolm X and his ideology and what he talks about and believes in as far as fighting oppression …”

Reporter: “Are you a believer in Fidel Castro who was on that shirt?”

Kaepernick: “If you let me finish, please. The fact that he met with Fidel, to me, speaks to his open mind to be willing to hear different aspects of people’s views and ultimately being able to create his own views as far the best way to approach different situations and different cultures.”

Reporter: “So it’s good to have an open mind about Fidel Castro and his oppression?”

Kaepernick: “I’m not talking about Fidel Castro and his oppression. I’m talking about Malcolm X and what he’s done for people.”

Reporter: “I realize what I’m talking about is uncomfortable.”

Kaepernick: “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.”

Reporter: “He also did something we do not do here: he broke up families, he took over a country without any justice and without any election.”

Kaepernick: “Uh, we do break up families here. That’s what mass incarceration is. That was the foundation of slavery. So our country has been based on that, as well as the genocide of Native Americans.”

Reporter: “Are you equating the breaking up of Cuban families with people going to jail in the United States of America?”

Kaepernick: “I’m equating the breaking up of families with the breaking up of families.”

Reporter: “Wow. That’s amazing.”

Kaepernick has boycotted the national anthem during games for nearly three months to spark a conversation about America’s racial inequality and police misconduct. He has spent time talking about those topics with inner-city youth, and he’s in the process of doling out $1 million to grass-roots organizations as part of a community outreach effort.

Kaepernick has served as the 49ers player representative on conference calls with opposing media in 5 of 6 weeks since reclaiming his starting job.

Also on Wednesday’s call with Miami reporters, Kaepernick defended the generalized accusation that his off-field actions are resulting in lower television ratings. Kaepernick’s response: “They’re not watching football because of my stance about fighting systematic oppression and wanting the same equality and freedom for all people?

“I would say they probably need to look in the mirror at what they value,” Kaepernick continued. “You know, if they’re OK with people being treated unfairly, being abused, being harassed, being terrorized, then the problem is more with what they’re doing in their lives than it is about watching football games.”