Colin Kaepernick: Protest Of Racial Injustice

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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

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