Colin Kaepernick's 'Star Spangled Banner'

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.

African American athletes have long been conflicted as to whether or not they should feel patriotic to a country that has oppressed their people. Kaepernick has chosen the best time to shine the spotlight on him with the non-patriotic act since his country is divided between Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter. There have been many people siding with, like the thousands of men and women who have tweeted the hashtag #VeteransForKaepernick, and people opposing, like Donald Trump

“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 2016, Colin Kaepernick, a 49ers quarterback, took a knee during the anthem. He did this to bring attention that there is an oppression of “black people and people of color.” He also adds that once “there’s significant change, and I feel that flag represent what it’s supposed to represent,” then he will stand. All of the players up to now wanted to bring attention to unjustified police shootings that ended up killing people because of their race. Kaepernick caused many people who were passive and didn’t know how to deal with this topic to take a knee during the anthem. He along with many people began to spread awareness that America has a racism problem that should’ve ended decades ago, but is only getting worse.

Colin Kaepernick stated, “So I’m in the position where I can do that and I’m going to do that for people who can’t.” I agree with him. Why? Is because everybody has the right to their own opinion. I mean if we have this position, why not do it? When you know that it’s for a good cause. If I was in his position, I would do the same thing. I wouldn’t regret my actions and wouldn’t be ashamed for what I stand and believe in.

Colin Kaepernick feels that minorities are not being heard, so he used his higher status to draw attention to the racial inequality by not standing during the national anthem, instead he took a knee. The author of this article feels that the playing of the national anthem has brought politics into the NFL as opposed to Kaepernick as some people feel. However, this article also touches on the fact that his teammate at one point had also taken a knee in support of Kaepernick’s efforts. The way he chose to express his feelings has caused him to be viewed in a negative spotlight by many people all over the country. There are people even outside of the United States who have heard about this controversial situation Kaepernick has been going through.

Colin Kaepernick’s protest gained national attention due to his position in the NFL. Realizing that his protest would reach a much wider audience than any regular citizen, he chose to demonstrate that something needed to be done about the

While discussing the success of the demonstrations in the Speak for Yourself radio show, Fox Sports sports commentator, Colin Cowherd explained “I believe this entire thing, has been successful. He protests, there is pushback. He is booed, he is cheered. Some players followed, lost their endorsements… people are discussing it. This embodies what we are about.” In the United States we are entitled to our own beliefs and our ability to have a voice. Through the actions of the players voicing their beliefs, the entire scenario has gained national attention. Colin Kaepernick’s among other athletes concern over this situation demonstrates their affection for this country in the hopes for improvement of this country. Through his protests the entire country has engaged in debate his actions and the topic he stands for.

While Kaepernick is jobless people carry on what he left so not just the NFL knows about it, but the entire world. People keep striving to send a message to the people that they care. Since so many people watch the sport the news gets around that they want different. Lots of little kids look up to NFL players thinking I wanna be like one of them one day. Younger children and teens and even adults see some of the best players as role models. If more of the star players in this professional sport of football sat during the national anthem it really could have an impact on society. If this protest could even spread to other sports, that is more people paying attention to the the topic.

When a national figure such as Colin Kaepernick refuses to stand for the National Anthem. It shocks people into paying attention and generates conversation, exactly what Kaepernick wanted (ProCon). Kaepernick’s protest has not just impacted the NFL, but other athletes and high schools are fighting too. A few NFL players have not been kneeling, but seen raising their fists during the national anthem. Mimicking the 1968 black-power protest of the Black Panthers. Professional basketball players are linking arms together and soccer player Megan Rapione is taking a knee during the anthem. High schoolers in Nebraska, Kentucky, Virginia, Illinois, Minnesota, and Maryland are following Kaepernick’s lead as well (Levin). Social media also playing a major part, this gives a voice to strong opinions on both sides, including a group of thirty-five US veterans. They stated “that it is far from disrespecting our troops, and there is no finer form of appreciation for our sacrifice than for Americans to exercise their freedom of speech”

Overall, people will debate this issue again and again, but it will not change the personal beliefs of Kaepernick and other players who are following his lead and protesting the current state of the country. While people may not agree with these actions, they have certainly brought a massive amount of attention to the issue, which is part of Kaepernick’s initial goal. Any attention brought to the issue, whether positive or negative, is still helping raise

Colin Kaepernick exercised his first amendment rights by peacefully kneeling in protest for the mistreatment of colored people in this country. His main goal was to make people realize what is happening in this country. With the recent innocent killings of unarmed black men such as, Alton Sterling, Michael Brown, Freddie Gray and many others. The American flag is supposed to represent liberty, freedom, and justice for all but, these things are not happening for all right now in this country. The selfless act that Kaep is taking is way bigger then him, he is speaking for people who don’t have a voice or the platform to start a conversation.

A Football player named Colin Kaepernick is the quarterback for the San Francisco 49er’s he is protesting racial injustice by not standing for the National Anthem.In August, National Football League (NFL) quarterback Colin Kaepernick began refusing to stand for the national anthem. Many people spoke out against the San Francisco 49ers player for his action. In the midst of a divisive election year, an important discussion about race class and violence in this country was almost abandoned by the news media.Then something surprising happened. Many in the sports world supported Kaepernick and his right to protest. Many did so even as they continued to stand with their hands over their hearts for The Star-Spangled Banner.

After watching day after day of the many police shootings killing innocent Blacks on the news it was only a matter of time before someone rose to the action. That person was Colin Kaepernick and his way of showing a difference was to kneel instead of stand during the National Anthem before their game against the Los Angeles Rams in week one.

Mistakes have been made on the front of black rights awareness. It is understandable why Kaepernick did what he did, he wanted to raise awareness for something he cared about. To an extent it worked it got people talking about him but for all the wrong reasons. Everyone is talking about how he did not stand for the pledge instead of black rights. It is perfectly in his right to protest for things and campaign for what he cares about but how he did it was not the right way. He turned his back on one group of people to try to support another which is not how you “fix america” and you can see this in the media with what everyone is saying and the veterans that are in outrage.