In recent news, you will easily discover a nation that has been sparked by the actions of Colin Kaepernick, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, who made a point by remaining seated during the national anthem. This simple gesture which is defined as a peaceful protest can be practiced regularly and it is one which was meant to make Americans reflect upon and review what exactly it is that we pledge to, and sing to, during these moments of blind patriotism. Kaepernick wished to draw close attention to the way that all people of color and minorities are treated today by law enforcement and to examine the way we recite these ideas in our nation’s praises without question. The quickest responses seen towards this protest during games have been responses of hostility, anger, and in some cases, insanity. Upon a general review, there is no reason that this protest should be considered in any way outlandish, unlawful, or disgraceful. Kaepernick is exercising his freedom of speech and his freedom of protest, a liberty that those who are now angry with him have defended so righteously by lighting his jersey on fire in response. These anger-oriented people have defended this right so thoroughly and regularly until this day where it became the right practiced gallantly by a man of color. Such a malicious reaction from these certain parties is proof that it honestly doesn’t matter how peaceful a protest against inequality is, those who don’t want to see and admit to the oppression that is still being exercised today never will.

Or, at least they won’t for a much longer haul, fight, and struggle of all minorities. It is from hostile responses like the ones that Colin Kaepernick received that I feel the need to speak out on the fact that no person, of any race or gender, is required to recite this anthem or our pledge even when others around them are participating in the recitation of it. No person, of any race or gender, is to be condemned on their right to resist a request like this. It is unfortunate that this nation needs to be reminded that the right to withhold on their speech has equality with the right to express their speech. It is the entirety of that liberty that veterans have fought for, not just the half that is more preferred by a racist-inspired version of patriotism. If this were not the case, and our nation did in fact force upon us by law an oath from citizen to nation, would that not be parallel with situations we saw used under Nazi rule, or situations we saw used by the Soviet Union, or situations we were told to be fearful of? I hope that in the conclusion of these recent events Americans can reorganize where they prioritize their fellow citizens, perhaps we will find the ability to rank our people in importance over a cloth, a few phrases, and a hand over a heart.