Essay On Symbolizing The American Flag

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

Kneeling during the national anthem is not just wrong it is also disrespectful to the multitudes in our country who have served or or presently serving this great nation-- the United States of America. The national anthem represents many things. One of them is the fortitude of our country’s flag. In the anthem it declares that the United States of America is “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” The flag represents the very core and essence of our nation as the only land on the continent that offers its citizens the freedoms it has at the price paid for ultimately by the brave. It is in no way oppressive nor racist. It is the theme song for every American. The intended audience of this paper is an appeal to all Americans. The quarterback of the 49ers football team, Colin Kaepernick, first began a protest to draw attention to a series of incidents against African Americans by remaining seated during the national anthem, “the Star Spangled Banner.” After the great stir Kaepernick caused in the media during September 2016, Kaepernick switched up his protest by taking a knee as a nod or gesture of showing more respect to current and former military after receiving an in-depth letter from Nate Boyer a former NFL player and US military veteran. Boyer served our country as a Green Beret. Over a decade ago, Boyer witnessed genocide while working in Sudan. He met numerous African men who were smitten with America and longed to have the

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.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. … There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.” Colin Kaepernick

Many members of the U.S military have come to Collin Kaepernick’s defense in the aftermath of the protest. Kellie Johnson a former military personal talk about how the protests are simply representations of their freedom of expression and that people should stop focusing on the anthem and start focusing on the reasons for the protest. She even speculates that majority of people who complain about kneeling are the same ones in the stands of sporting events looking at their phones, which is a form of disrespect to the flag. So, you can start to see that the same people who worship the flag commit actions that devalues its worth in America as well.

When you see the American flag, what is the first thing that pops into your head? Is it a war? A relative? A political leader? What? For me, I usually think of the Star Spangled Banner. I grew up on a military base in Germany. If the flag were being raised or lowered, you would see soldiers, and even civilians, standing at attention, saluting the flag. In a parade, as the flag was being carried in front by one of the brigades, everyone held his or her hand over his or her heart as the flag passed that person. Even in the theaters, before the movie would start, the Star Spangled Banner would be played while scenes of American flags in battles and peacetime were on the screen and everyone would stand, either at attention or with

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

Race discrimination is an issue in the country, but Colin Kaepernick an NFL player that kneeled in protest of police officers oppressing African Americans created chaos all over the country. Some Americans agree with him and believe it's for a good cause and others disagree with him finding his actions disrespectful. According to the flag code section 177, “all persons present except those in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart." Therefore, Kaepernick disrespected the flag. Other alternatives such as sit-ins on public stores or marches or even using his fame to spread videos would've been more effective. His disrespect for the flag only caused him his job, and the public lost focus on what he was protesting for in the first place.

A famous sports figure in history once said, “I cannot stand and sing the anthem. I cannot salute the flag. I know that I am a black man in a white world” (McKirdy). At first glance, this quote seems to be something that would have been said by the San Francisco 49ers Quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, in light of his recent protests, as well as other sports players who decided to follow suit, to the playing of the national anthem before football games. However, this is not the case. The above quote was written in the 1972 autobiography, I Never Had it Made, written by Jackie Robinson, an African American Baseball player (McKirdy). Colin Kaepernick obviously felt the same as Jackie Robinson did when he sat on the bench rather than standing during a rendition of the national anthem before a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on August 26. During an interview with the media following the game, Kaepernick explained why he refused to stand for the anthem, “‘I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder’” (Wyche). Kaepernick explains that he refused to stand for the national anthem because of the

Every morning and every night at Missouri Girls’ State we would walk to the middle of University Central Missouri campus and gather around the flagpole. Throughout the week we learned how to properly raise and lower the flag, how to honor the flag, and the do’s and don'ts of how to treat the flag. As about 800 girls stood at attention to the flag with their hands respectfully over their hearts, reciting the pledge I began to wonder why the flag was the way it was. What was the actual meaning of the flag? Why do Americans all over the nation proudly wave a red, white and blue flag?

Explosions bursting through the air. Men being blown into pieces. The sky so dark that you could of thought that the sun had ran away. People fighting for their lives, for years protecting this country. And you can’t stand for a song? I believe that athletes should be required to stand for the national anthem. One reason why it is not ok to not stand for the national anthem is because it shows disrespect. Furthermore, according to the article “Refusing to Stand for the National Anthem: Top 3 Pros and Cons” it states “Carol Isham a great great great granddaughter of the writer of the national anthem (Francis scott kelly) stated that “It just blows my mind that someone like (kaepernick) would do what he does to dishonor the flag of this country

The author, Sean Gregory, in “The Perilous Fight,” talks about the political issue that has been going on for the past year, the issue started when a professional football player from the San Francisco 49ers team, also known as  Colin Kaepernick, kneeled down when the National anthem for the United States of America was played at the beginning of a game. Kaepernick’s justification for this, was that this was his way of protesting unfair treatment of individuals because of racial characteristics. Since racism, discrimination, and gender inequalities have been going on for centuries, I agree on the matter of sports players being able to  kneel down when the anthem, “Star spangled Banner,” is being played because these people are trying to stand up for what they believe is right, and they should be allowed to protest because it is serving as a peaceful way to protest for people who are being unjustly treated. Racism and discrimination often leads to these individuals who are suffering to be judged, killed, and many other harsh things that should not be taking place in the “land of the free.” We as Americans are given so many great things, and people think about the United States they usually think of  freedom, pursuit of happiness, and the rights of being a U.S. citizen, but how can we exercise those given rights properly, when t the government does not let us by putting limitations and restrictions on how we use our rights?  When it's

Colin Kaepernick said his decision was aimed at using his protest action to express the current inequality practices in the U.S that were mainly affecting the minorities. The National Football League Insider Ian Rappaport said that players were only encouraged to stand up during the National Anthem and that it was not a compulsory requirement. Colin Kaepernick is not the first player to address political issues as NBA players such as Carmelo Anthony, Lebron James, Chris Paul, and Dwayne Wade used such as a platform to express their worry of the current political systems . However, such actions signify an incredible disrespect to the country and refusal to acknowledge the flag which symbolizes national unity in all areas of life including addressing national issues. Colin Kaepernick insisted that he did what he did not in the search for approval or to gain attention but to represent people that are underrepresented and oppressed by the same law that is supposed to protect

Kaepernick has drawn an immense amount of attention onto the topics of football, patriotism and law enforcement. Kaepernick's decision to sit out for the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner” is a decision that should be respected. Kaepernick shouldn’t have to deal with the intense scrutiny he is getting from his own personal choice. Kaepernick believes that the United States national anthem doesn’t represent present day America anymore. Kaepernick says that “ when there is a significant change and I feel like that flag represents what it is supposed to… then I’ll stand” (Kaleem). Kaepernick is simply expressing his freedoms and according to the constitution he isn't doing anything wrong. In fact, he is just executing his rights and freedoms

In our school system we are forced to learn history such as the Civil Rights Movement. We are taught that racism is no longer alive with in our society. This discrimination is evident with in our community which has started some movements to battle the issue of racism and the discrimination. Some movements are Black Lives Matter and the kneeling during the singing of the national anthem which was started by Colin Kaepernick back in 2016. The Black Lives Matter movement was started because of all the police brutality that we have seen in the media. The kneeling in the national anthem started with Kaepernick because he felt that he had to protest what he deems as wrongdoings against African Americans and minorities in the United States. During interviews he says, “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 told NFL Media. It is easy to say that we are all equal and that our system sees no color. We can easily see that the rights of racial minorities are under attack in vital areas such as immigration, affordable healthcare and housing.