Persuasive Essay On The Kneeling Movement

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.

The “compulsory routine” would be the tradition to stand during the anthem. Nevertheless, some people's refusal to stand will have a greater impact on all as it questions people’s beliefs. It is not one person’s right to decide whether or not we should all stand. The question, therefore, is left to the individual. If one choses to kneel during the National Anthem, although others may protest, they are not causing a threat to others and it is not disrupting the public. There proves no reason to revoke the right to kneel if it does not cause harm. Some people may call it disrespectful and rude, but they have no authority to change the protestors actions forcibly.

“Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave. O'er the land and of the free, and the home of the brave.” These words from our beloved national anthem, are words that this country chooses to live by. Ladies and gentlemen will remove their caps, and then all rise for the playing of the Star Spangled Banner. Most Americans have become comfortable about this right and pleasure that we have. To be able to show respect for the ones who aren’t here, and can’t even stand to do so. One professional American football player had another agenda for this time. He decided to kneel instead of stand like we have all become accustomed to. In my generation, we take our freedom and rights for granted. We do this, because we never had

First a little background on the national anthem. The song itself was written to commemorate a military victory when we withstood a British attack and “Old Glory” continued to wave over the battered fort during the War of 1812. In 1931 Congress officially decided listeners should stand when “The Star Spangled Banner” is played. Congress also gave suggestions for the behavior of people listening to the song. Which is basically to stand at attention, hand over your heart, and men should remove their hats and hold them over their heart. (Dempsey, Martin). So even Congress believes that is what a person should do, but so they would not be in violation of 1st Amendment rights, they only recommended it, they

The massive protest throughout the NFL is against the violence and injustice toward African-Americans in the United States. As a team the Seattle Seahawks stated that they, “‘Will not stand for the injustice that has plagued people of color in this country’” (May 1). The Star Spangled Banner is an important song for Americans because it shows the unity within the country; in fact, it is supposed to bring all citizens together no matter their differences. Standing for the Anthem shows respect for all the men and women in our military who have fought for the freedom and rights of American citizens. Nick Stefanovic is a Marine Corps veteran, and was deployed to Afghanistan twice. He is one of the military personnel who think Americans should be standing for the

Taking a knee during the National Anthem began 13 months ago with Colin Kaepernick. He started to protest just by sitting on the bench, then when he was asked why he is doing this he responded saying that he is doing this to show more respect for the military veterans. However, a few months later when Kaepernick’s protest became more known to society he said “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag or country that oppresses black people, and to

“O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?” John Stafford Smith said in 1814. This has become America’s top way to show respect to the country. Can you imagine people being disrespectful during this important moment? Well, whether you believe it or not, the very act has been happening over and over on America’s top sporting fields. Players playing in the NFL have been kneeling during the national anthem, creating riots in the crowds. Many, many people died for America’s song, but yet people keep on kneeling no matter what people say, even the President! So, how bad is the kneeling issue? Well, we have to look at why they are doing this disrespectful act in front of thousands of people. And don’t worry, if you don’t have a side on this issue, this essay will help you make a decision. By listening to what fans, players, and NFL management are saying, we can finally take a side on this important issue.

The ground is not constant in every part of the world. Grass, sand, dirt, rocks, and everything in between is always changing underneath our feet. The sky is always shifting when new shapes and colors pass above our heads as we carry out our lives. It is baffling to think that people surrounded in a world of change believe it is possible to stick to one way of living. The belief in following a tradition can come from multiple ideals. The United States has an abundance of these traditions, and sometimes it is hard to notice when you are within one. The Star Spangled Banner is a prime example of a long-standing tradition in the United States, where it is usually played before national sporting events. Americans believe that the national anthem represents the greatness of America, and some believe that it honors our fallen soldiers and military. It is traditional to stand with our hands on our hearts, facing the flag while the anthem plays. The recent phenomenon of NFL players kneeling at the national anthem is a call to attention for the victims affected by racial inequality and police brutality within our country. Interestingly, NFL players weren’t required to be on the field during the anthem until 2009. Regardless, this show of taking a knee seems to many as a menace to their tradition. Some people were thoroughly opposed to these protests, including our own country’s leader. The president of the United States calling these gestures a “total disrespect of our

One example of the success of peaceful protest is Brown vs. Board of Education. In the case Plessy vs. Ferguson, the Supreme Court ruled that the issue of segregation in schools did not violate the constitution, that it was “separate but equal” . The reality of segregated schools is not equal it segregated children with a different color skin from white children, and deprived them of a proper education. Brown vs. Board of Education was a very important United States Supreme Court case it stated that the state laws that made segregation legal were said to be unconstitutional. Through time and togetherness the people of topeka chose to peacefully address the issue

To start a compelling peaceful protest is a hard thing to do when there are so many reasons that someone could get worked up about fighting for what you believe in. To protest in a non-violent way, with a silent act, is noble. It shows that you can make a difference without construing a mess of vile words or violence to call attention to an issue in need. Taking a knee brings awareness to the innocent African American people who have died at the hands of a police officer. Police officers are suppose to make citizens feel protected rather than make them feel in danger. Some people advocate for the police officers because their job has been labeled stressful. Surely, with any job come stress, pressure, and responsibility, but to take advantage of your title is immoral. People of other races have targeted some African Americans, like Trayvon Martin. He was shot and killed solely based on the fact that he was a black man wearing a hoodie. Some families of police officers fear for their loved ones life as they

Since the 1918 World Series the National Anthem has been played at sporting events. The anthem is a symbol for the soldiers who raised the flag after the horrors of cannon bombardment during the war of 1812. Some people seem to think that the anthem has no connection to a sporting event, others find the anthem to be discriminatory. During the anthem we’re asked to stand to remind ourselves of the sacrifice American’s have made for our freedoms. At a recent 49ers football game, Quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the National Anthem. While Tim Wendel (pro) and Merrill Matthews (con) decided to express their opinions in an article for the Tribune Company. Tim Wendel is for “Protests push all of us to face the dilemma of racial

Throughout our history protesting has always been around. It is part of first amendment rights, like freedom of speech and freedom to peaceably assemble. It is essential for a working democracy. From both sides sometimes protesters get out of line to where it is illegal, or police officials violate the first amendment right. Protesters can get violent, but police can create unconstitutional curfews or use illegal force. Everyone right to speech should be respect by everyone, and is protected by the first amendment

Peaceful protest can be an effective and beneficial way to make a point about how many in a population feel strongly about an issue, yet many protests do not go as intended. The idea is to calmly make your opinion known, to get noticed and to demonstrate the sheer mass of opposition to a particular topic. Peaceful protest alone is not harmful, it is simply a group of people

Historically speaking, our society has manifested and expressed itself through controversial gestures and acts, which surfaced as a representation of particular religious, political or social beliefs. In fact, some may recall the impact and symbolism associated with the Nazis salute leading to the Second World War, or even Tommie Smith’s protest during the 1968 Olympic games, whom raised his closed fist to increase awareness against racial discrimination. Undeniably, every time period seems to be defined by provocative actions that are meant to raise attention on certain issues. If we look at the present time, taking a knee during the national anthem has grown to be the latest gesture seeming to have reached a certain relevance