Holly Pryle
Emily Chappell
English 121
22 March 2018
Kneeling for the Anthem
Every American child is raised with the knowledge that they were born in a country that by law gives them freedom of self-expression and the right to protest. However, this right does not mean that people must agree with you and in many cases, groups wind up at odds over differing opinions. Over the past few years America has seen many examples of this, most notably football players protesting injustice by kneeling during the anthem. This form of protest has sparked much controversy and has caused more harm than good. The protesters have divided their fans and disrespected the nation.
Should I stand, or should I kneel? This is the question most people will be wondering
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For instance, Eric Reid wrote in his article “Eric Reid: Why Colin Kaepernick and I Decided to Take a Knee” that he “remember[ed] thinking our posture was like a flag flown at half-mast to mark a tragedy” (Reid). Clearly, the protesters were not intentionally attempting to be disrespectful and view their actions as respectful, however, that does not change how they are viewed by others. According to Quin Hillyer, they should not “denigrate the symbols of a nation of good people” (Hillyer). Although the protesters feel they are being respectful they need to realize that from the opposite point of view their actions appear quite disrespectful (Hillyer). In addition, Eric also states that “we . . . live in a fair and free society, which includes the right to speak out in protest” (Reid). Eric’s statement is entirely true, which means that those who disagree with a protest have the right to speak out as well. Freedom of speech and protest works both ways which means I, and many other Americans, have the right to disagree with the protesters (Reid).
The football protesters are not wrong by protesting injustice, however, their form of protest does the opposite of bringing awareness and merely divides the people they desire to bring together. We should stand together as Americans who want to stop injustice
Several National Football League players have been trying to send a message to the public with their actions during the national anthem. Some fans are obsessing about whether players should take a knee, raise a fist or lock arms during the national anthem before games. However, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman said they should be talking about the reasons why players are protesting. It is because the recent news stories of police officers killing unarmed African- American people. Sherman says Americans should focus on the message being sent with this protesting.
In the sports article, “49ers Fans Burn Jerseys Over Player 's Refusal To Stand During Anthem”, Washington post claims that Kaepernick 's fans disagree with his actions, by burning his jersey. The article then mentions a few players and/or officials who support his decisions to kneel while the national anthem plays. Furthermore, Kaepernick 's action did not physically harm another individual. It is then argued, Kaepernick has a right such as the other individuals who reside in this nation, as an American we have freedom of religion and freedom of expression. Washington post concludes, with Kaepernick 's opinion, approval is not the reasoning behind this, but instead standing up for those who are
It is the Soldier, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote. It is the Soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag. And whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.” Flag of USA is really important to US soldiers. Not showing respect to US flag may mean disrespecting US Army.
Although some people believe it is disrespectful to burn the flag, we as American have the right to protest in a non-violent manner. Whether someone believe burning the flag is alright or not, they still want to be treated equal despite their
A controversial topic currently circulating throughout the media and society, is professional athletes kneeling during the National Anthem. In my opinion, this is a completely useless, unnecessary action done just for attention. The theory behind the action is supposed to represent unity. Unity is not achieved by causing controversy, but it’s achieved by coming together and supporting each other when times get tough.
Their intention is not to belittle the flag. The flag is not what these football players are fronting. It’s the concern of police brutality. Personally, I cannot stress this enough. By kneeling for the national anthem, one protests police brutality.
The current debate over kneeling or sitting in protest during the National anthem ignited by Colin Kaepernick in 2016 has escalated to become a nationally divisive issue. Colin Kaepernick, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers refuse to stand during “the Star Spangled Banner” Aug. 2016, to protest against racial injustice and police brutality in the United States. These athletics that chose not to stand for the national anthem because there was a message they wanted to send. Needless to say, an individual has a right to believe as they so choose. Kaepernick along with many others feel that not standing for the national anthem is a peaceful way to protest and release their feelings.
Kneeling during the national anthem is a form of peacefully protesting instead of choosing to stay silent and not have a voice. Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick who is currently a free agent brought the attention to “kneeling during the national anthem” when he decided to take a knee during a preseason game. Him kneeling brought an uproar of people who believed he was being “disrespectful” and “unpatriotic”, others believed he was being “brave” and a “hero”. Kaepernick had a reason for doing so, he was standing up for social justice and police brutality again African Americans. Significance of The Flag
Steven Sternberg Mrs. Burns English 1 CP 1 March, 2018 The Flag Protest “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color” (Kaepernick, Colin). The flag protest has been a protest existing for a long time but, recently sparked lots of controversy. Although kneeling during the national anthem may seem disrespectful are often seen as a disrespect to the flag and troops, a inefficient way to promote a cause, and anger many people in shows division in the country, it can show that the ideals of freedom is justified, it generates conversation and awareness about topic, and is a legal form of peaceful protest.
Are you not allowed to emphasise any part of the Anthem and sing the anthem how it is? Are you allowed to do what you want? Ever since the infamous kneel by San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick during the first preseason game of the 2016-2017 season these questions have been going through a lot of American’s head of how should you treat the National Anthem. In the Newsela article “Sports events have a way of sparking
They make millions of money, they have the eye of the United States audience, and they seem to make a big statement when they do something in front of the crowd. Why did these players not kneel years ago in protest? Better now than never is the only conclusion I can
During the first three preseason games of the 2016 NFL season, Colin Kaepernick formerly quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers sat through the national anthem in protest of police brutality towards African American individuals. When asked about it, Kaepernick said, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour.” News outlets immediately attacked
This action caused an upset among students. Some students are in conflict on how to feel with the demonstration. People should not be disrespecting the flag for any
The National Anthem goes on every single time before a game begins. Each time it is being sung everyone usually stands up to show respect for America. While, news said that a few athletic players that have been sitting down, while the National Anthem goes on. This keeps happening more and more slowly because those athletics don’t believe that America lives up to that potential in the song as it once represented. As well as the incidents that happened with the police of excessive force being used against people unassertively.
The first time Kaepernick didn’t stand for the anthem was in a preseason game and then he did it again and people were furious. He explained why he did that but was that the right place and time for Kaepernick to do that? He could’ve just announced it on a press release but no he decided not to stand during the national anthem, disrespecting it, not just the anthem, but all the people that served on the military as