To stand or not to stand is the question that has been presented to every United States citizen in response to the decision to kneel during the national anthem by former NFL San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick. However, there is more than what meets the eye in terms of the effects of Kaepernick's actions. Kaepernick decision to kneel was rooted in protest of racial injustices along with recent and past events of police brutality. While many find that Kaepernick's actions are justified and even legal, others believe that it is disrespectful towards this nation and could even be illegal, the real problem here is the tension and division that is deepening the divide in a nation that prides itself on being united. While Kaepernick's …show more content…
With that being said many Americans side with Colin Kaepernick and agree that his actions are justified as a reasonable protest against racial injustice. Many of these supporters agree with Kaepernick to such a degree to be violently angry with the confrontation and disapproval of those who support the opposing view. Thus deepening the divide that it would seem Kaepernick was trying to shrink. In an article by USA Today, there are quotes from emails that were sent the author of the article, Nancy Armour, after writing three columns concerning Colin Kaepernick and other athletes in his protest. Note that these quotes will not be included in this work due to their racial and vulgar wording. These email quotes express discriminatory racial slag and violently vulgar statements that express nothing less of extreme hatred and bitterness. But what is this anger towards, why are these Americans focusing their anger on a journalist whose job is to provide citizens with information. Armour makes a brilliant point in explaining her belief of the true root of this intense anger. She states that while she understands why people, especially those in the armed forces, "have passionate feelings about the flag and the anthem," however, "patriotism and honoring this country is simply a convenient cover" for the reactions to the actions of …show more content…
While many Americans side with Colin Kaepernick, there are many who are against his actions stating that he is disrespecting those who have came before him and those who fight for his freedom along with those who have paid the ultimate price. This argument has just as much ground to stand on has its opposing view, but isn't that the main problem. Both sides of the argument have logical and legitimate arguments and both sides includes people who believe that their side is the right side and are often violently aggressive in order to express and attempt to prove themselves as correct. What good does it do if both sides are too busy trying to bury the other in insults and hatred that they forget what this nation is all about. This is the United States of America, yet with all of this conflict caused by racial and non racial tension, will this nation remain united forever, or will it break apart along the lines caused by such intense division as this conflict intensified by Kaepernick's actions. Patriotism can be defined as "the love of one’s country, identification with it, and special concern for its well-being and that of compatriots"(Kane). Based upon the definition it can easily be concluded that the actions of Colin Kaepernick are in fact unpatriotic and disrespectful to the flag and this nation. Every American citizen has at least once in their life, pledged allegiance to the American flag and to the nation for
Following recent cases of police brutality and racial oppression, many public figures are taking it upon themselves to stand against the issues. In this matter, Colin Kaepernick has been in the spotlight since his protest during a preseason game in August, where he took a knee during the National Anthem. In the articles “The Colin Kaepernick Effect; Another Athlete Stands Up For Social Issues” by LA Watts Times Sports Writer, Amanda Scurlock and “Colin Kaepernick’s Critics Called Him an Idiot. Who’s the Idiot Now?” by Slate Executive Director, Josh Levin, the authors talk about how Colin Kaepernick’s peaceful protest has had many positive and negative backlash. Kaepernick has received much support from not only his fans, but also people such
First of all, kneeling the National Anthem is an ineffective and, counterproductive way to promote a cause. Knelling for the National Anthem isn't going to change anything besides lowering the rates on TV and getting negative comments online. Football coach Dabu Swinney said "I don’t think it's good to be a distraction to your team. I don’t think it's good to use your team as the platform." Patti Armstrong States that" you don’t get respect from showing disrespect." Philadelphia Eagles support the protest but disagree with the way he did so. Kneeling for the National Anthem is not a proper way to protest police brutality for colored ("Refusing"). These are some of the few reasons kneeling for the national anthem is an ineffective way of protesting.
In the article, “Colin Kaepernick and the Question of Who Gets to Be Called a ‘Patriot’”, Wesley Morris focuses on the issue of whether or not Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the national anthem at football games is disrespectful and unpatriotic. Morris claims that “Patriotism is the cornerstone of football”, while also addressing the tendency Americans have to shift the blame somewhere else. Morris is able to identify other examples of how patriotism can be viewed in different perspectives and how people that have access to large platforms can use their status to shed light on topics that may have been swept under the rug.
On August 27, 2016, Steven Wyche, a media reporter for the National Football League, wrote a story about San Francisco Forty-Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick and Kaepernick’s choice in acting on a movement to oppose racial discrimination of minorities. Wyche’s story was published through the NFL for the public eye to view. Kaepernick has been refusing stand for the national anthem. Not only does Wyche cover Kaepernick’s controversial actions, but Wyche takes a stand for Kaepernick himself.
How do Americans feel about kneeling in protest during the national anthem? That’s a simple answer, the views are diverse and opinionated all around. You have your right to voice your opinion however, this concept seems to daunt many as they seem to forget that, in this case, kneeling as a form of protest is an exercise of our free speech and therefore should be accepted as such. President Donald Trump is guilty of stating he’s a man of the people but feels the need to disdain many unheard voices by using offensive and hurtful commentary like, “Get that son of a b---h off the field right now! He's fired!” (Tennessean- Lowary, J) Unaware of the reasoning behind every player’s protest, Trump continues to berate his own people in more ways than
This protest began on August 26, 2016 when Colin Kaepernick, a former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, first took a seat on the sideline bench at a preseason game during the National Anthem. Later he transitioned to kneeling alongside his standing teammates. The reason behind Kaepernick’s protest was to draw attention to racial injustice and police brutality in the United States against African Americans. After the public noticed Kaepernick’s revolt, a national discussion sparked. Many people think that kneeling during the National Anthem was not the most respectful approach Kaepernick could’ve taken. The certain group of people that
When I was told to pick a topic that was problematic and related to civil disobedience, I immediately thought of an event that got more media coverage than anything else in August of 2016. Headlines resembling phrases like “Disrespect to Our Great Nation”, “Black Lives Matter Advocate Crosses Line”, and “Footballer Disrespects Military”. Other headlines included ones like “Football Player Takes a Stand by Taking a Knee”, and “NFL Player Uses Platform for Social Justice”. The national anthem in sports has traditionally been known and characterized with celebrities, and elaborate performances. However, in August of 2016 Colin Kaepernick changed that by taking a knee in protest for the mistreatment and oppression of people of color. Initially,
This is because of the ignorance and the suspiciousness of otherness in our country. A protest technique as unique as sitting out of the National Anthem has no chance of being understood if something as simple as a name can’t be understood by the majority of the population in the country. The quote mentioned earlier also fits this perfectly, “Too often we’re so focused on what they said that we don’t bother listening to a word of it.” In Kaepernick’s case the method of sitting out of the National Anthem is more of a concern to the people then the issue that he is doing it for. It’s sad to say but media portrays things to get ridiculous reactions out of the public. In the case of ethnic names, employers look at the name and immediately toss the resume to the side, and the person may even be the most qualified. Another similarity between the two articles is there is an underlying meaning to both Kaepernick’s protest and Kashef’s ethnic names. Kaepernick is using the protest to bring the injustices that black males face in this country. Kashef’s is trying to explain that ethnic names have significant meaning and allow uniqueness. The two articles show how African Americans are discriminated against based on the color of their skin and their unique
Overall, patriotism is seen by many as different things. There are some who There is nothing more American than citizens exercising their constitutional right to protest. An appropriate protest consists of using this right, but it must be done at the correct time and place. Conflictions occur when the protest is not respectful, or is targeted towards the wrong thing or group. In the future, hopefully people will realize that as Americans, it is our duty to stand up for what we believe in, and do so in an appropriate
Beginning of 2016 NFL preseason, Colin Kaepernick, quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, decided to take a seat during the National Anthem, claiming that his actions were a protest against racial oppression and inequality. His acts during the first preseason game went unnoticed until the third preseason game. Kaepernick was celebrated by some and viciously maligned by others. Many Americans disapproved of his actions and were very upset because in America sitting down during the National Anthem; the song of the nation, is disrespectful to our military and our Nation. Later in the last preseason game, Kaepernick was kneeling instead of sitting; he decided to respects the military because he thought sitting was too disrespectful to the military. A little too late bubbe!
Should NFL players be allowed to kneel during the U.S. National Anthem? 49er’s quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, started a protest against the discrimination against people of color in America by kneeling during the U.S. National Anthem at one of his team’s football games. People are now disputing over whether it is okay or not to kneel/protest during the the national anthem. The current U.S. president, Donald J. Trump, believes it is impolite, and kneeling is “disrespecting the [U.S.] flag” (qtd. in Kenny). I think people should, indeed, be allowed to kneel during the “Star Spangled Banner” because they have the right to protest, and the problem they are protesting against is relevant and important.
When Kaepernick began receiving heat from people ranging from social media to the current figure in the White House, Kaepernick went on record in saying, “I’m not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color… to me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.” The pros in Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem are the U.S. failing to perpetuate the ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice for all. A person of Colin Kaepernick’s stature protesting the national anthem creates attention and generates conversation, and not standing is a legal form of protest and a peaceful way of doing so. While the cons are refusing to stand is disrespectful towards the flag and the armed forces, it’s an ineffective and counterproductive way for promoting a cause, and it angers many and creates division within the country.
There is an outrage spreading throughout social media. It all started with one man kneeling during the national anthem, Colin Kaepernick. Now various NFL players follow behind Colin Kaepernick in refusing to stand during the national anthem. They are receiving backlash from fans and even the president for their actions. I believe there is no need for the backlash. The protest is done in a peaceful manner, it raises awareness, and it represents what they believe.
The first athlete to kneel in protest plays in the NFL; his name is Colin Kaepernick. He kneeled during a preseason game in an attempt to create discussion among people in order to shed light on racial injustice. It shocked the world. Although there are many issues, no one should be protesting the National Anthem. This song represents the land of the free and the home of the brave, not the land of the protesters and disrespect.”
Imagine yourself at the Super Bowl, someone is going to start singing the National Anthem. You, people around you, and some football players decide not to stand up because they want to silently and peacefully protest for the people of color that have been oppressed. This is what widely known player Colin Kaepernick did on Aug. 26, 2016. When this event occurred in Aug. 26, professional athletes, high school athletes, and football players alike started to kneel or sit down during the National Anthem. When you or someone kneels or sits during the National Anthem, they are showing a silent protest. These protests sparked controversy and public message about the protesters’ messages and the way they chose to say those messages. It’s indeed acceptable for people, athletes, professional athletes, and football players alike to kneel or sit down during the National Anthem. There, people can silently and peacefully protest and/or pray for the people of color that have been oppressed. It’s also allowed according to the 1st amendment.