OPINION
Kaepernick Anthem protest Should Be Admired
By Jackson Hawkins
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has created a huge controversy by kneeling during the National Anthem. He told the media that the reason for his protest is that “there are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave getting away with murder.” Kaepernick also told reporters that his statement is bigger than football. He is backing his protest with a promise to donate $1 million of his salary to Black Lives Matter charities.
The protest has drawn criticism from people ranging from supermodel Kate Upton to presidential candidate Donald Trump, who label it “unacceptable” and “un-American.” Buffalo Bills fans even sold t-shirts with a rifle scope trained on a picture of Kaepernick with the caption “Wanted: Notorious Disgrace to America.”
There is nothing more American than taking a stand for something one believes in while facing heavy criticism. Due to the national stage that Kaepernick is on, his peaceful protest has gained more attention than the thousands of people rioting in the streets of Charlotte, while at the same time causing much less damage to property. As Kaepernick’s movement has been gaining traction, many NFL and college football players have decided to protest the Anthem as well.
Some opponents of the protest criticize the players involved by saying that they are disrespecting the military; however, Kaepernick and the other players taking a knee aren’t protesting the military in any way. They simply want justice and equality for minorities in the United States. America is built on civil rights that cannot be taken away, not on the strength of its military. Creating strong militarism and silencing people’s opinions are things done in North Korea and other dictatorships, not the United States of America.
Pioneer graduate, and current Super Bowl winning head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, John Harbaugh, understands Kaepernick’s rights. He told reporters that “Voltaire so eloquently stated ‘I may not agree with what you say, but I’ll defend until death your right to say it.’ That’s a principle our country is founded on.”
By exercising his constitutional rights, Kaepernick is trying to make a difference and improve the lives of his fellow Americans, just like Tommie Smith and John Carlos did during the 1968 Olympics when they shocked the world with a black power salute after they both medaled in the 200-meter dash. They rose gloved fists and went shoeless with black socks to represent black poverty while the “Star Spangled Banner” played, which was captured in what is now a famous photograph. The International Olympic Committee demanded they be kicked off Team USA, but the USA refused. At the time this was a worldwide story, and Smith and Carlos faced much criticism back home in the U.S. Now, however, this protest is one of the most famous acts in Olympic history, and Smith and Carlos are admired for what they did.
This has become a very divisive topic as Kaepernick’s jersey is the top seller in the NFL, yet at the same time he was voted as the most hated NFL player in a poll among players. This criticism is ridiculous. People have the right to be offended by Kaepernick’s protest, but they should consider the unfair treatment minorities face in this country. He is trying to improve the lives of millions of Americans, and sometimes people need to be offended in order for that to happen. Chances are that in 50 years, this moment will be remembered in our history textbooks as a turning point in the Black Lives Matter movement gaining national support.
The protest has drawn criticism from people ranging from supermodel Kate Upton to presidential candidate Donald Trump, who label it “unacceptable” and “un-American.” Buffalo Bills fans even sold t-shirts with a rifle scope trained on a picture of Kaepernick with the caption “Wanted: Notorious Disgrace to America.”
There is nothing more American than taking a stand for something one believes in while facing heavy criticism. Due to the national stage that Kaepernick is on, his peaceful protest has gained more attention than the thousands of people rioting in the streets of Charlotte, while at the same time causing much less damage to property. As Kaepernick’s movement has been gaining traction, many NFL and college football players have decided to protest the Anthem as well.
Some opponents of the protest criticize the players involved by saying that they are disrespecting the military; however, Kaepernick and the other players taking a knee aren’t protesting the military in any way. They simply want justice and equality for minorities in the United States. America is built on civil rights that cannot be taken away, not on the strength of its military. Creating strong militarism and silencing people’s opinions are things done in North Korea and other dictatorships, not the United States of America.
Pioneer graduate, and current Super Bowl winning head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, John Harbaugh, understands Kaepernick’s rights. He told reporters that “Voltaire so eloquently stated ‘I may not agree with what you say, but I’ll defend until death your right to say it.’ That’s a principle our country is founded on.”
By exercising his constitutional rights, Kaepernick is trying to make a difference and improve the lives of his fellow Americans, just like Tommie Smith and John Carlos did during the 1968 Olympics when they shocked the world with a black power salute after they both medaled in the 200-meter dash. They rose gloved fists and went shoeless with black socks to represent black poverty while the “Star Spangled Banner” played, which was captured in what is now a famous photograph. The International Olympic Committee demanded they be kicked off Team USA, but the USA refused. At the time this was a worldwide story, and Smith and Carlos faced much criticism back home in the U.S. Now, however, this protest is one of the most famous acts in Olympic history, and Smith and Carlos are admired for what they did.
This has become a very divisive topic as Kaepernick’s jersey is the top seller in the NFL, yet at the same time he was voted as the most hated NFL player in a poll among players. This criticism is ridiculous. People have the right to be offended by Kaepernick’s protest, but they should consider the unfair treatment minorities face in this country. He is trying to improve the lives of millions of Americans, and sometimes people need to be offended in order for that to happen. Chances are that in 50 years, this moment will be remembered in our history textbooks as a turning point in the Black Lives Matter movement gaining national support.