In case you have been living under a rock for the past few days, there has been a lot going on in the media. The great debate about NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem has returned. This entire thing started with former 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick. During the 2016 season, Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality, and the killing of unarmed black citizens. This sent the nation into an uproar.
Recently, the president spoke at a rally and condemned Kaepernick. He explicitly called all people who don't stand for the national anthem "Sons of bitches," even recommending that they are all fired. This all took place over the weekend, and it hasn't let up since. Since this attack, and his series of tweets, tons of NFL players and teams have taken a knee, or even stayed in the locker room during the national anthem. There are many Americans who are disgusted by their actions. Here is why I am not one of them.
I fully support the #TakeAKnee movement. As Americans, we have the right to peacefully protest against the unjust that is happening/has happened in this nation. During school, I never stood for the anthem because I didn't feel that this nation was standing up for me. Taking a knee during the anthem isn't anything against the flag. Instead of complaining that these athletes are disrespecting our nation, we should address the reason that they are kneeling instead. I mean really, let's be honest, you don't stand for the anthem every time you are watching a sporting event at home anyways.
We have troops that fight for our right to CHOOSE to whether we want to stand or kneel for the anthem. Do not shame people for exercising their right. This is America, and that fact that we have free will in most cases, is part of what makes us who we are. Players and coaches are kneeling to the injustice that they are seeing in this nation, and as Americans, it is our job to prevent the injustice, not condone it. What Donald Trump doesn't realize is that by him calling out this occurrence in the NFL, it has just fired it right back up again. There are more teams and players taking a knee than ever. I will always be right there taking a knee with them.
