Just over two weeks ago, Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers decided to take a stand for something that he believed in by remaining seated for the playing of the National Anthem during a preseason game. His intent was to “stand up for people that are oppressed.” In an interview after the game, Kaepernick said, “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." Kaepernick used a moment that many Americans consider to be sacred in order to make a statement about a cause that he believes to be literally life or death, and many Americans did not take this protest lightly.
Immediately following the protest, Kaepernick received overwhelming amounts of backlash, but a significant amount of support, as well. Many Americans criticized Kaepernick’s decision, saying that his decision showed blatant disrespect for our country, our flag, our military and law enforcement, but most importantly for the men and women who have given up their lives in order to preserve our freedoms — including the freedom that gave Kaepernick the right to remain seated for the anthem in the first place. In a very respectful open letter, one American, Police Officer Chris Amos, stated, “Colin, I am sorry for the endorsement deals you may lose and the dip in jersey sales, but please know you will NEVER lose what these men and women and their families have lost. And so whether you stand or sit during the national anthem means very little to me. As for me and the men and women on whose team I was privileged to serve, we will put on our ballistic vests, badge and gun, kiss our loved ones goodbye, for some tragically for the last time and out into a shift of uncertainty we will go. We will continue to protect and continue to serve and we will be standing at attention, Colin, not just for the playing of our national anthem, but far more importantly for the playing of Taps.” On the other hand, though, many Americans agreed with his decision to remain seated. In fact, many people thanked him. Supporters were overjoyed by the fact that someone finally took a stand in a way that could actually spark a change (instead of, for instance, simply tweeting in support of the cause).
Following Kaepernick’s protest, many other athletes decided to take a stand, or rather a knee. Athletes from various football teams across the country decided to kneel during the National Anthem on Sunday night, which happened to also be the 15th anniversary of the terror attacks on September 11, 2001. Typically, I would see no problem with my fellow Americans exercising their First Amendment right to free speech. In this instance, however, I believe that it was not the time or the place for a protest. "The Star Spangled Banner" was originally written after the bombing of Fort McHenry by the British during the War of 1812. Francis Scott Key was relieved to see that the American Flag was still flying after the attack and wrote the song in regards to what he had witnessed. Since then, the song has become a symbol of what our nation has been able to overcome. It has become a symbol of unity in our country. By kneeling during the national anthem, on the anniversary of such a horrific day in our nation’s history, athletes took away from the unity that so many Americans feel during that song.
As a sign of respect, some players still decided to protest but in a different way. The Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs were two entire NFL teams who remained standing as a sign of respect, but decided to link arms as a sign of unity and in remembrance of 9/11.
It is not my place to say whether it is right or wrong to refuse to stand for the National Anthem; I was raised in a home where we stood, hand over heart, for the Star Spangled Banner — even when it was just on TV. However, I was also raised to stand up for my beliefs. I believe that the anniversary of September 11, 2001 (Patriot Day) should always be remembered as a day where our nation stood unified as one and stood in support of one another. I also believe that this country is in need of some important changes, but we need to protest wrongdoings in a way that is still respectful to the men and women fighting to maintain our right to protest in the first place.
