This past week has shown us freedom of speech only exists if everyone agrees with you.
By now, we have all heard of Colin Kaepernick not standing for the National Anthem. Kaepernick has been sitting during the National Anthem to protest injustice in America, especially injustice towards African Americans. Since his first instance, Kaepernick has been called a disgrace to America, with one high school announcer even stating that anyone who does not stand for the anthem should be shot. Many people on social media have even suggested Kaepernick “go back to where he came from.”
Okay, cool. He’s from Wisconsin.
Not only is Kaepernick peacefully protesting something he disagrees with, but those protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline are also doing so in a peaceful manner. However, their peaceful tactics have been met with more hatred than Kaepernick’s.
In a post that went viral on Facebook, it was learned that a pregnant woman (whose name was not released) was attacked by dogs while protesting the pipeline, and unfortunately she’s not the only one who has been attacked by these dogs. Many protesters have uploaded pictures on social media platforms showing bite marks, scratches and bruises from these dogs.
What do both of these incidents have in common? In both, people are exercising their first amendment right.
Whether or not you agree with these protests, you have to be respectful of them. Why? Because these people are simply living by the first amendment- freedom of speech.
The social problems these people are protesting should make enough sense that their actions are justified- instead, they are receiving hate, death threats, and promises by law enforcement officers that they will not protect them if harm is to come their way.
Colin Kaepernick has assured media and his fans multiple times that his actions are not meant to be disrespectful to the military. Instead, his actions are meant to bring light to the brutality minorities in this country face every day that are being overlooked. It is to show people that minorities matter too.
Those protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline simply want the land they rightfully own. After construction crews destroyed sacred burial grounds, a judge halted the construction on the pipeline, but it was too late. The burial grounds were destroyed, people are hurt mentally and physically, and yet again a group of minorities is made to believe they don’t matter.
Both of these situations have proved one thing: freedom of speech only applies if you have a popular opinion you are defending. If your opinion is unpopular, you better brace yourself for death threats towards not only you, but also your family, and threats for people to “send you back where you came from.”
Thank you, Kaepernick and Dakota Access Pipeline Protestors, for proving that even if you do peacefully protest, people will still be mad no matter what. Those who are mad when protestors shut down highways are still mad now that you’re quietly sitting. Go figure.
Thank you for also showing how often minorities are put on the back burner in America. Don't worry, there are plenty of us on your side fighting with you.
#IstandwithKaep #NOtoDAP
