Colin Kaepernick's Argument Analysis

It was upon these concepts of liberty, justice for all, and equality that became the foundation of America and its government. Many citizens claim that these ideals are still believed in and upheld today, yet the black NFL football players who kneeled during the national anthem at a game believe otherwise. According to Bretherton, the black players such as Kaepernick and Reid kneeled to “raise the question of why citizens of color, despite the promise of equality, still live (and die) as lesser Americans” (Bretheron 2). The players took a knee in order to raise awareness and bring attention to the discrimination colored citizens of America are facing today, such as police brutality. Although the players kneeled to invite the people of America to enter with them in a new, deeper kind of a relationship, where all are given mutual respect, the public misunderstood this act of courage as an act of disrespect and incivility towards America. These people, including President Trump, claim that the players are “disrespecting ‘our country, our flag [and] our national anthem” (Bretherton 1). The dilemma, thus, is that our

A big controversial topic going around in the news over the past few weeks has been Colin Kaepernick and his stand to end the hardship for people of color and police brutality in the United States. This silent stand started early this preseason when a number of different events involving people of color and police officers around the United States not getting along. However, this has started to become more publicized as more and more people in the National Football League have been joining in with Colin Kaepernick and taking a knee or sitting during the national anthem. This stand has become way more than a simple silent stand as many people around the nation are starting to voice their opinions on this subject. Even though everyone argues their thoughts on this subject.

For many, speaking up for what you believe in can be difficult and risky, but ultimately worth the risk. Colin Kaepernick took this risk, by kneeling during the national anthem to stand up against “ police brutality and the inequality that people of color”(NFL). With many unjust shootings and police beatings of African Americans, Kaepernick’s teammate Eric Reid couldn’t stand the violence anymore after “the killing of Alton Sterling in my hometown Baton Rouge, La”(Reid). Reid joined Kaepernick in taking a knee during the national anthem, in doing this Kaepernick and Reid inspired other players to raise awareness and help those in need. This decision caused huge impacts on the nation, the NFL, and the youth who look up to the players of the NFL.

Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers quarterback, started much controversy against America when he remained seated for the national anthem during a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers. Kaepernick seems to had developed an enmity against America. He feels that he and fellow African American athletes should not show patriotism to their country because of the unfair treatment their ancestors went through throughout history. Although Kaepernick does have a point about the racial discrimination colored people went through throughout American history, he still has no right to disrespect his country. Kaepernick himself is not black, he is white, but he is just drawing attention to himself.

Colin Kaepernick, a San Francisco 49er quarterback but also a daring black man that has decided to speak for the voices that can’t, has made his voice heard by kneeling during America’s beloved ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’. Jaweed Kaleem writes in the article “In the ‘land of the free,’ are you free to sit out the national anthem?” about the controversial topic in which he showcases the two sides of how it deems to be disrespectful to sit out the national anthem vs how Kaepernick has the freedom of expression to sit out what he believes does not benefit him.

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.

Colin Kaepernick, a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, has created much controversy in the nation over his latest protest. During a preseason football game Kaepernick was photographed sitting during the national anthem (McKirdy). When asked about the action later, Kaepernick explained, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” (Wyche). The nation exploded. Many showed their support for the quarterback, expressing pride in him for “standing up” for the things he believes in. Others displayed their anger with him for disrespecting the flag and all the things the flag represents. After seeing what a backlash his action received, Kaepernick decided to kneel instead of sitting, claiming that his new way of protesting would show more respect for those in the line of duty (Anthem uproar). Although he has the right to protest, sitting during the national anthem is the wrong way to draw attention to a specific cause.

“Civil Disobedience,” by Henry David Thoreau is similar to the point the NFL star Colin Kaepernick is trying to get across. Henry says at the end of his writing The Civil Disobedience “Let Every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it,” he is saying if people will start speaking up they will start to take notice what people is actually saying and wanting. NFL star Colin Kaepernick doing national anthem he will take a knee and not stand because of all the Black African Americans that's getting killed. Not just Black African American, but all the innocent that's getting served no justice. Both had spoke out against the governor and that's how Thoreau and Kaepernick are

In the sports article, “49ers fans burn jerseys over player’s refusal to stand during anthem”, Washington Post states that a gesture from the 49ers quarterback prompted protests by San Francisco 49ers fans. Colin Kaepernick does not want to stand up for the flag ever again because of a country that subdues black people and people of color. People are supporting the refusal to stand during the anthem and others are disowning this cause. Secondly, the sports article states that his protests with America is making people think twice for what they truly believe in. Moreover, the article claims how a former teammate of Kaepernick is being supportive of his choices and the right to press his statement to the country. The author concludes by us people

In this week’s article “The Anthem”, The author, Joe Ponanski, goes deeply into the background of the national anthem to show the importance of the Star Spangled Banner as it unites us as a country. The actions of athletes as they play the anthem have meaning. Inappropriate actions during the anthem can convey a kind of disrespectful demeanor toward the country and our troops, whether this is the intent of the athletes action or not. Colin Kaepernick was making a personal proclamation. He was drawing attention to a very serious predicament, racial discrimination in the US. After the game he explained “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,". Those who don’t agree with

Argumentative Essay Josh Hitchcock English 6 Mrs. Tubergan and Mrs. Rhodes 18 December 2017 “ If they kneel they’re fired” says President Trump on NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem. Lately NFL players have been protesting a protest called “ black lives matter “ ( another recent protest ). They’ve done so by kneeling during the National Anthem for justice. All NFL players should stand for the National Anthem no matter what is going on in the world. We are all U.S. citizens and we must show appreciation for this country and other people have very strong feelings in both directions on this.

Kaepernick's social media accounts have recently been centered on forwarding discussions on topics like race, religion, and politics. This brings out the worst in people as they hassle to prove they are right. He has been engaging debates about how Ryan Lochte got it easy when he shouldn't have and that it wasn't fair. Last month Kaepernick heated the debate when he wore socks during team practice representing police officers as pigs. He defended the socks saying the "rogue cops that are allowed to hold positions in police departments" are putting both community and "cops that have the right intentions" in danger.

Professional athletes making political statements and sharing thoughts on their viewed social issues has been around since games were first being broadcasted and gave these athletes a stage to make a stand. Along with those actions entered debate for sports fans who are stuck between whether athletes should or should not share their views on things “bigger than sports”.This has been missing from professional sports in recent decades but is now slowly once again becoming relevant. The presidency of Donald Trump along with Colin Kaepernick’s taking a knee to protest the national anthem are the two main reasons for the

This week our AOTW is about a football player that has sparked feuds between everyone; Politicians such as Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton, and everyday people. The football players name? Colin Kaepernick. Colin Kaepernick started what could very well be a national debate. What did he do you ask? He didn’t stand up when the national anthem played. He did this because he said that he would be the speaker for people who didn’t have a voice. People who didn’t have a voice that could influence thousands. Kaepernick said that when the flag- America’s flag- started meaning what it was made for; then he would stand and honor it.

Kaepernick has every right to show his protest against oppression because it’s one of the many solutions to stop it. He made the right decision to not stand during the Star-Spangled Banner because he didn’t cause the death or injury of a person. His simple yet meaningful influence sparked society’s attention and helped recognize the issue dealing with racism. In paragraph four and nine, I have experienced something similar with social media. In social media, there are many incidents of victims who have died because of police shootings. These events are very tragic, and many have died when they didn’t commit a crime. Instead, they are hurt because of their race or color. These events cause protests because the unfair treatment continues to happen.