EDITORIAL: Taking an alternative stance to the national anthem

Throughout American history, citizens have united in efforts to defend and protect their rights. The U.S Constitution established the fundamental laws in national government that guarantees certain rights for its citizens. The First Amendment highlights the freedom of speech. Americans use this liberty to stand up for their beliefs, correct inequalities and defend social injustice.

Freedom of speech is more than a privilege; it is an obligation. Americans are able to use their freedom of speech to protect the promises upon which this country was founded. These include the promises to offer equal opportunity and protection for its citizens.

American football quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick is using his position as an NFL player to bring social injustice issues to light. Kaepernick refused to stand during the national anthem as a protest against police brutality and oppression of people of color.

Kaepernick was within his rights.

Kaepernick has been a public supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement (BLM) for the past year through social media. BLM is a national organization working to “(re)build the Black liberation movement” by creating awareness and action steps to defend those whose “lives are deprived of basic human rights and dignity.” BLM has been very vocal about police brutality. They have raised support for families who have lost loved ones by police during routine arrests.

Media coverage immediately following the pre-game labeled Kaepernick as anti-American and anti-military. Many viewed his demonstration as disrespectful to the American flag and those who served in the armed forces. A great deal of pride is tied to the American flag and national anthem as symbols for the men and women who have given their lives to protect this land of the free.

While some fellow athletes have joined in protest during the national anthem, others in the NFL and the general public have expressed disappointment. Some sponsors and fans have withdrawn their support to teams who have joined the protest.

Just as the U.S Constitution gives Kaepernick the right to protest, fans and sponsors are also within their rights to withdraw their support.

Since the backlash, Kaepernick has adjusted his form of protest by kneeling rather than sitting as a sign of respect to those connected to military service for this country. His acts are non-violent expressions of freedom. Rosa Parks took the seat, now Kaepernick is taking the knee.

In recent weeks, other forms of protest have been expressed by athletes during the playing of the national anthem. Three forms of protest have emerged: sitting, kneeling and the raising of a fist.

Kaepernick originally chose to sit, saying in his interviews that he would not stand up to show pride for a flag in a country that oppresses people of color and has unresolved issues of police brutality. His intention was to be a voice for those who don’t have one.

Kneeling has been a form of protest to get his message back on track. His decision to kneel is intended to show respect for the military while still expressing outrage over the continued oppression of black people in America. Other athletes also kneeling during the national anthem include Megan Rapinoe, star soccer player for the U.S National soccer team Seattle Reign FC. Rapinoe was the first athlete who made the decision to kneel.

The raising of a fist is the most recent expression of protest seen on the field. This expression is a symbol of support and solidarity. It is used as a salute to express unity, strength, resistance and defiance. Martellus Bennett and Devin McCourty, athletes for the Patriots, stood for the national anthem and raised their fists at the end of the anthem during the Sept. 11 Patriots-Cardinals game.

Certainly, different forms of protest generate different reactions and results. Sitting, kneeling and raising a fist are forms of non-violent protests initiated to hold the country accountable to its promises. Bringing awareness to the flaws in the Unites States Justice System through non-violent forms of protest is not breaking the law.

The United States is not a perfect nation. There have been obvious periods in its history that have exposed practices of social injustice. The pride many Americans have for this country means holding it accountable to its promises and helping it live to its full potential.

 

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