It all started when Colin Kaepernick, a former San Francisco 49's player, kneeled during the National Anthem during a 2016 season football game. Fans and players alike erupted in a heated discussion about whether his actions were justified and appropriate for the time and place.

Kaepernick believed that he could use his celebrity/athlete status to highlight the idea of racial discrimination that still remains to be an issue in American society today. I believe that Kaepernick knew that it would cause people to stop and reflect on what his actions meant.

But I doubt he knew that over a year later, the National Football League, players, and coaches, would be under the scrutiny during a politically sensitive time in our nation.

It is now the beginning of October of 2017, and the latest hot-button issue in the United States remains: whether kneeling during the National Anthem is considered disrespectful to the flag and the veterans who have risked their lives to fight for this nation.

Many people believe that kneeling is disrespectful to the men and women who serve our country, while others believe that veterans fought for this country to give citizens the right to speak their mind and peacefully protest whatever they feel they need to in order to improve our society.

The reality is, the first amendment states as follows: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Additionally, the U.S. Flag Code does not require that anyone stands when the anthem is being played.

And you know what else? I am exhausted.

I am tired that even in 2017, athletes and other influential figures in society must resort to kneeling during our nation's anthem in order to point out the racial injustices within our country. I am tired of the fact that people refuse to accept the idea that not all of our citizens are treated fairly and equally.

The kneeling has got to stop because we as a progressive nation and society should not have to combat racism and continue to have citizens deal with its implications in everyday life. It is unacceptable, and it is unjust. We must continue to use our platforms to denounce these ideas of intolerance and hatred.

I think we would be in a much different situation if those who opposed the idea of kneeling actually understood the purpose behind it.

I wonder what the tone in our nation would be like if these NFL fanatics were just as livid about their team kneeling as when innocent African Americans are killed due to police brutality. I wonder what the tone in our nation would be like if instead of burning jerseys, they condemned the idea of systematic racism from all aspects.

So yes, the kneeling has got to stop. But it will not stop until all citizens are guaranteed equal rights within our society and the oppression of people of color ceases to continue.

My question to those who oppose this idea is: If you do not want people to march alongside Black Lives Matter, and you do not want them to kneel in a peaceful protest, then what exactly are people "supposed" to do to make their voices heard for an important issue to get the recognition it so desperately needs?