Colin Kaepernick 's Kneeling Protest

On September 21st, Christine Brennan reported Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to stand while the national anthem was being played in National Public Radio’s (NPR) online portal (www.npr.org). All through the National Football League 's preseason matches, Colin Kaepernick, a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, refused to stand for the national anthem. He clarified that he took this stance to point out what he sees as wrongdoings against African-Americans and different minorities, especially with regards to certain atrocities in police activities. Kaepernick has stated he is showing support for the Black Lives Matter movement, which was sparked by a number of police killing innocent black people. When addressed by journalists after the first occasion when he did not stand for the national anthem, Kaepernick stated that, “he would not show respect or pride in a flag for a country that continues to oppress African Americans and people of color.” He added that this was much bigger than any game and that it would be selfish on his part to look away. He also claims that there were bodies lying on the streets and people were getting away with murder. I don’t think Brennan understands why he chose not to stand fully. I think this also could have led to more attacks from other writers and reporters that have been inform of his true reasoning. I do not think he was disrespecting the flag or people that fight for it, but just making a stance to get

After all the talk, some have determined Colin Kaepernick has rights, but that does not make him right for not standing during the national anthem. For some who may not know, Colin Kaepernick is a famous football player for the San Francisco 49ers. He recently refused to stand for the national anthem before his game in protest of what he deems are wrongdoings against African American in the United States.

Before a preseason game on a Friday, San Francisco 49ers not even starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the playing of the national anthem. Although the lovely twitter users have called Kaepernick things such as a “coward”, “disgraceful”, and a “little bitch”, some people say and compare him to other protesters in the past, for example Muhammad Ali in the 1970s, thought that’s not the case. Ali is the man most of America recently celebrated as a necessary and historic part of the American story. Further research and Ali's message wasn't always crystal clear and to the point. His legacy was complicated yet oh so brilliant, but that is why he was so important. He said things about the Muslim innocence people didn’t want to hear, but needed to. Even if they disagree severely. Although people disagree with the protest methods Kaepernick uses, the method has been controversial and has influenced many others to agree with it.

The National Anthem is our country’s theme song and it is very highly respected throughout our great country. The Anthem talks about freedom, liberty, and justice for all and about how there are great men and women who risk their lives every day so our country can be free. So, when the Anthem is played at professional football games everyone stands and holds their hand over their heart and respects our flag and our Anthem because that is the least we can do to help support and show our respects to our soldiers and our great country. As many people can see, a lot of things are changing, and these changes started when Colin Kaepernick (Former Quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, now a free agent) decided to take a knee instead of standing during the National Anthem in the 2016-17 season. Colin says he did this not to disrespect the soldiers and war veterans but, to bring awareness of the issues going on in our country. Colin said that he felt that our country is not free and justice is not done fairly. He believes there is too much Police brutality “there are people being murdered unjustly and not being held accountable”-Kaepernick. Also, he believes African Americans are treated and looked at differently and it has been that way in the past and it still hasn’t changed. Once Colin kneeled and said all the things he needed to get off his chest the world shook. African American people and professional athletes all over the world agreed with what he did. I’m not saying white people didn’t agree, but it was more African Americans that felt the same way Colin did and

The message being sent by Billy Witz in his article, “This Time, Colin Kaepernick Takes a Stand by Kneeling” is that the United States has to start treating every citizen equally. Not too long ago, Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, decided to take a seat during the national anthem rather than stand with his team. Most people in the crowd booed Kaepernick because they had thought that he was underrating the sacrifices made by the military. After the game, he stated, “I love America… That’s why I’m doing this. I want to help make America better” (Witz 1). This quote shows the love the Kaepernick has for his country and all of the citizens in it; he does not want to see people of different ethnicities and color to be

Players are encouraged to stand during the National Anthem for the special ceremony of the pre-game. However, Colin Kaepernick decided to stay seated through the ceremony, in protest of unequal treatment by police on the blacks in the United States. Colin did not violate any law or disrespect the American flag. He justified given his right by under the constitution. Colin stood up for the Constitutional Right, along standing up for what he believes in. Kaepernick stood up from the mistreatment from the police to his kind and didn’t do any type of harm.

Former president Barack Obama spoke on this topic during an interview with CNN concerning when NFL player Colin Kaepernick refused to stand during the National Anthem in 2016. In his interview with CNN, Obama stated, “[...] I always try to remind folks that part of what makes this country special is that [Americans] respect people’s rights to have a different opinion. [...] [American’s/American soldiers] fight, sometimes, so that people can do things that [some Americans] disagree with, but that’s what freedom means in this country. [...] as long as [protestors are protesting] within the law, then [some Americans] can voice [their] opinion objecting to it, but it’s also their right.”

When Colin Kaepernick began refusing to stand for national anthem, it came up as one of the most important discussions about race and violence in the country.

A recent controversy, such as San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick refusing to stand for "The Star-Spangled Banner” raised many questions and concerns towards one of our protected freedoms. According to the 1st amendment, “congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion freedom of speech,” whether that speech is spoken in words, symbolic or non-verbal acts. Kaepernick was not obsequious and did not show too much willingness to respect the national Anthem to protest police violence against African-Americans. In my opinion whether it is feminism, racism, or anti gay protests, if a United States citizen chooses to violently or peacefully assemble his/her opinion one should always be heard. Considering past events,such

Football players protesting during the National Anthem lately have football fans red hot. Colin Kaepernick and many other professional football players are protesting what they feel are social inequalities and wrongdoings by getting down on a knee while the National Anthem plays. While everyone else is standing up to show respect. One particular fan named Nate3914 tweeted... Kaepernick, “If you don't love the country get out of it. You should never play another down in the NFL, move to Canada.” However, Anquan Boldin, his former teammate, says that he supports Kaepernick's decision to kneel down during the anthem. He said, “The great thing about America is you can protest and what the quarterback is doing is just another type of that.” This is a popular and controversial example, that Kaepernick has the right to express himself as a free citizen of the United States. Taking away his right to protest violates his constitutional rights. Colin Kaepernick's protest during the national anthem has fans in protests of outrage, but he defends

Our national anthem is a symbol of unity and liberty within our country. However, would a person who does not stand for the anthem be considered a person whom does not respect America? Recently in the preseason of the commonly viewed game of football, the quarterback from the 49ers- Colin Kaepernick- sat down during the national anthem. According to Sandriter, Kaepernick’s protest represents “support for people of color who are being oppressed in the United States, and to take a stand against police brutality” (Sandriter 1). When Kaepernick first started protesting, not many viewers noticed until more NFL players begun to join the bandwagon of protest. As interviews of Kaepernick begin to take place, Sandriter mentions how this quarterback

First, everyone has a right to freedom of expression. Not standing for the national anthem is a legal form

Since the signing of the First Amendment in 1787, Americans have protested, utilizing their right of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. Protesting comes in many forms. Most protests are peaceful; however, some others involve violence. Protests have shaped the United States of America, and without them, the United States wouldn’t exist. One protest that has become a major controversy involves San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. He has refused to stand during the National Anthem of a “country that oppresses black people and people of color” (Gajanan). While many are saying that Kaepernick is disrespecting the troops and must stand for his country, we must remember the First Amendment, which gives us the right of free speech, allowing all of us, regardless of our race or religion, the right to express ourselves without interference from the government. Time.com’s Mahita Gajanan recently wrote an article titled: “Colin Kaepernick and a Brief History of Protest in Sports”. The main idea of the article is that throughout history, many athletes have used their fame to convey their ideas. This purpose of the article is to open the eyes of sports fans, veterans, those who are uninformed, and critics of Kaepernick. In the midst of

People in America to say ,think and do what they believe. So why is it when a NFL superstar decides to sit down for the National Anthem the people consider this act to be a non- American act. “Colin Kaepernick, the backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, made headlines when he refused to stand for the National Anthem.” this was in an article by Kelly A. Scaletta. This has build up a lot of controversy, regarding if this was wrong or right.

Everyone have the right to do things that they want as long as they think is the right thing to do for them and we all have freedom and freedom of speech. The reason that he is doing this because was adapted by white people and he lived in the white neighborhood What Kaepernick is telling people that he does not care about the national anthem.The NFL Football player refused to stand of the national anthem because there is a racial inequality. And he decide to hot stand for the national anthem.