I Decided To Take A Knee

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

In August of 2016, Kaepernick began his protest during a NFL preseason game where he initially sat during the singing of the national anthem. At the time, his rebellious efforts became unnoticed, but he soon enough made headlines when someone took a photo of him sitting during the anthem. Thus a social issue was born from the public’s reaction from the photo.The negativity of the public’s reaction stemmed from the norm that it is customary that people raise their right hand over their heart while facing the flag when the Star-Spangled-Banner is playing, so if one does not follow this norm it is identified showing disrespect. Inevitably, the prediction of the people’s reaction were to be expected as they were outraged when Kaepernick broke the norm. Although, it is legal for individuals not to follow these sacrosanct protocols, citizens of the United States find this norm obligatory.Would you stand by and constantly watch the same social issues to keep reoccurring in your neighborhood? Not only that but it keeps happening to different people by the same organization? When numerous acts of police brutality occurred, Colin Kaepernick decided to protest. He could no longer stand by and do nothing; he decided to take a knee. For professional National Football League (NFL) player, Colin Kaepernick, his response was “no”. One of the last waves that came toward the end of the summer is the kneeling while the national anthem played during sporting events. When Kaepernick decided to

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.

Athletes have been protesting in ways which are frowned upon by the government. Athletes should use their fame to promote a political agenda because everybody has an opinion.In the article, “The athlete as agent of change,” by Lonnie Bunch and David Skorton, athletes use their fame to promote a political agenda. In this article, Bunch and Skorton list the ways that athletes silently protest in sports. Ways that listed include athletes turning their back on the flag, kneeling during the national anthem, and refusing to salute the flag. These actions show that the athlete may be opposing America and by doing this, their opinion is shown. Athletes’ opinions are very powerful because athletes are often mentors or inspirations to their fans which

An organization like the NFL needs to support their athletes when they decide to exercise their 1st amendment rights. For example, a current event that has ravished the mainstream media would be over the controversy with Colin Kaepernick. There are 64 quarterbacks total in the NFL at the time, Kaepernick not being one of them. At the end of the season Kaepernick had a passer rating of 90.7 “(ESPN, 2016)”. That was better than ten starting quarterbacks in the league at that time. Also, to add to his resume he only threw four interceptions during the season. His stats prove that he’s a proven NFL starter and his trip to the Superbowl in 2013 are examples of why he should be added to any NFL roster. Why isn’t he on a roster? It’s primarily

Many professional sports figures have taken a stand to end racial, class and violence no matter the given consequence after. For example, there was a time when National Football League (NFL) quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the national anthem. During the given moment people wouldn’t have understood the reasoning behind Kaepernick not standing but then you have people like Gregg Popovich. Popovich the Antonio Spurs head coach said, “ The important thing that Kaepernick

On the political cartoon “ little perspective” by Michael Kemirez illustrates an American soldier’s coffin on the sideline of a football field next to an NFL athlete kneeling with a jersey labeled misguided.The commotion that the nfl has gotten in the past few weeks has negatively affected the company. Is it ok for an NFL athlete to protest during a game? No, because it's ineffective, causes diversity, and has brought sales for the NFL down.

Although they’re famous, professional athletes should not be using this status as a way to make people protest. You can make a difference too, no matter what your status is. Together, we can make the world a better

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.

In the Atlantic article “They Took A Knee,” author Megan Garber describes the recent outbreak in NFL players and coaches, who have participated in the protest against social oppression, by kneeling during the national anthem. The article describes how there an been an extensive increase in the protests of NFL athletes “after President Trump’s harsh condemnations towards them, for kneeling during the national anthem”. As stated in the article, NFL protests began in 2016, when NFL player Colin Kaepernick “knelt during the pre-game singing of the national anthem...to protest racial oppression against African Americans.” This action has now been replicated by NFL athletes all over the country standing up for equality

The National Football League has had more political issues in recent years than ever before. In the article ”Politics Has Always Had a Place in Football” by Samuel G. Freedman, a former columnist on religious issues for The Times, explains his article in terms of reasoning, evidence, and persuasive elements. He goes into why there is such an unusual insertion of politics and race discrimination in the NFL. Author Freedman uses examples of when African Americans were first allowed in the NFL as players, and then soon after, promoted to managers and owners. Other examples of civil rights being inserted into our current climate include Colin Kaepernick taking a knee during the national anthem before games.

More iconic players make money in the tens of millions per year. Football players and sports players in general are some of the most spoiled citizens in the country. The NFL houses some criminals who have committed some heinous acts. O. J. Simpson who is a convicted armed robber and kidnapper. Also, the United States military paid the NFL 10.4 million dollars to honor troops by singing the National Anthem and having players partake in it in every single one of their games. Now we have players not even coming out of the locker room for the Anthem. Ironically, players are protesting against oppression and yet they are technically owned by their bosses. Their bosses can sell them, buy them from other teams, and trade them. This to me sounds like some type of modern day slavery. These are some of the many acts of hypocrisy from the side of this argument that supports this protest.

The negative media frenzy initially began when San Francisco 49ers Quarterback, Colin Kaepernick started kneeling during the playing of the National Anthem. This apparent act of National defiance was actually directed at drawing attention to the rise in police brutality and racial inequality. However, news broadcasters and social media targeted Kaepernick for the fact that he was kneeling during the anthem. This in turn, generated a social backlash, with all of the attention fixated on labeling Kaepernick as “unpatriotic”. This perception has continued as other NFL players joined the cause. Although, the underlying reason is still police brutality and racial inequality the media’s attention is still focused on the appearance of the NFL players as unpatriotic. Recently, President Trump tweeted about it, causing the propaganda to reach a new level of low. Referring to the players who refused to stand for the “Star Spangled Banner” President trump called them a “son of a bitch” (“Cowboy-up” 5). The whole incident from the beginning until now has produced a mixed response with fans and Americans’ alike. With the majority of the emphasis being placed on the effect of the player’s actions vs the cause leading to the initial protest, it has widened the already present and toxic divide in America.

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

Professional Athletes should be held to the same political standards as anyone else, and not be punished from being outspoken just because they are famous. For example, athletes should be allowed to publicly speak, and not be held to a higher political standard than an ordinary human being. Like Chip Kelly, 49ers coach said in a press conference over Colin Kaepernick's kneeling during the national anthem, “that is their right as a citizen.” Athletes, such as Colin Kaepernick,