Sitting During The National Anthem
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has chosen to sit down during the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner in recent NFL preseason games. Kaepernick feels that the United States is a country that “oppresses minorities” and that he’ll continue to sit until he feels that the flag “represents what it’s supposed to represent.”
Kaepernick’s actions have brought about a wave of negativity towards him. Kaepernick’s opposers have denounced him in various different ways, mostly saying that people have died for the flag.
Other opposers have taken a more radical stance, saying that Kaepernick should be banned from the NFL or kicked out of the country. Some have expressed their frustration by burning their Colin Kaepernick jerseys.
On a side note, Colin Kaepernick jersey sales have skyrocketed since his first demonstration. It can be concluded that this would show support for Kaepernick, but some have purchased Kaepernick jerseys for the sole purpose of burning or tarnishing them in another manner.
Kaepernick supporters have also released their opinions on his actions, saying that he has the right to sit during the National Anthem. Other supporters have even joined in on the “movement.” NFL players have recently displayed their ways of protesting by kneeling during the National Anthem, or entire teams locking arms (while standing).
LVHS students had much to say about the topic. In a school-wide survey, 65.2% of students felt that Kaepernick wasn’t justified in sitting during the National Anthem. While 16.7% felt that he was justified. 10.5% were unsure along with 7.6% with an alternate response.
One anonymous student defended Kaepernick, saying, “It's an expression of his right of free speech. This was his way to peacefully protest and call attention to a matter that isn't being resolved. I don't approvwe of his meathod , but he has every right to use it [sic].”
Another anonymous student had a contrary response, “I do not think a protest arguing racial discrimination is enough of an excuse to essentially show disregard for the men and women of all races laying down their lives for our own.”
Some students even showed radical points of view, with an anonymous student remarking, “He lives in the greatest country in the world. He needs to respect that and if he doesn't like being here he should leave.”
Another anonymous student declared that, “he (Kaepernick) should in the VERY LEAST be banned from playing in the NFL.”
Some Kaepernick supporters have acknowledged that the Star-Spangled Banner was written by slave owner Francis Scott Key. Key was also an attorney who fought for the practice of slavery in the United States. In the original Star-Spangled Banner, Key even celebrates slavery in these stanzas,
“No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave...”
Though the original Star-Spangled Banner says this, the song itself was not made about slavery. The purpose of the song was to honor the flag of the United States during a triumphant moment in its history. It remains a powerful symbol of patriotism and is seen on nearly every U.S. establishment.
Though every U.S. citizen is granted equal rights, there are still racist and biased people out there. This seems to be the only thing that still gets under the skins of minorities. Colin Kaepernick made it seem like the U.S. as a nation oppresses minorities. This is not the case at all with the 14th Amendment of the constitution. There are individuals who are racist, but it’s not like the U.S. government doesn’t openly oppress minorities.
Kaepernick has little justification for sitting during the National Anthem (even though it’s part of his first amendment rights) when the U.S. is the freest country in the world. Along with this, however, comes the stain that the U.S. is the most racist country in the world according to most studies.
The fact remains that U.S. is a country with freedoms like no other, and that is why it is the greatest country in the world.
Only time will tell if the actions of Kaepernick and his supporters will have any impact on social change in the United States.
This quote from Theodore Roosevelt illustrates what it’s like to be an American, “We have room but for one flag, the American flag. We have room but for one language here, and that is the English language, and we have room for but one sole loyalty, and that is a loyalty to the American people.”
