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Politics and Activism

America...Land Of The Free?

For a country that preaches freedom, we seem to think everyone should have a certain way of thinking.

Moira Danielson

Sep 27, 2016

Millennials of Wisconsin

Politico Magazine

In the light of our country being divided on issues such as the #BlackLivesMatter movement, including how Colin Kaepernick is showing his protest by taking a knee during the national anthem, I've observed how different people handle it all. Some support it while others have resorted to extremes such as burning Kaepernick's jersey. The one question I have is when did America started becoming the home of controlled opinions?

Now I'm not telling anyone that they have to be on any certain side. Instead I'm trying to open peoples' eyes to the realization that we began as a country fighting to have our own rights. Rights that include to have our own opinion on different things. In an article by USA Today, Kaepernick said that he has received death threats over the past few weeks regarding his protest. "If something like that were to happen, you've proved my point." Kaepernick said. Now keep in mind the only was Kaepernick has protested in by taking a knee during the anthem, no violent act of beating anyone up to get vengeance. However, some 49ers fans took to social media to express their opinions by publishing videos of them burning Kaepernick's jersey; two fans even had the national anthem playing in the background while it happened. Ironic isn't it? I really do not see a point to showing so much hate over someone's beliefs. Isn't that technically hypocritical of the hateful fans since they feel their beliefs are supposed to conformed to?

If you follow the link below you will see one of the 49ers fans that was burning Kaepernick's jersey while playing the national anthem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgIU06ZYK-Q

Instead of people telling Kaepernick he should leave the country, as they have, including Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, which is real rich coming from Mr. Oppression himself, I think that people criticizing Kaepernick's actions should look further. They should look at what led Kaepernick to kneel in the first place. There is a problem in our country. There are people dying, unarmed people, people with loved ones who can't comprehend that their loved one was taken from them.

Come on America, we are better than this. Listen to the lyrics that you hold so dear to your heart: "Land of the free, home of the brave." Free, freedom to stand up for they believe is right. Have your different opinions, but respect one another enough to not unleash hate.

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America...Land Of The Free?

For a country that preaches freedom, we seem to think everyone should have a certain way of thinking.

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All names should be "unisex names."

1. Communicating via email can be awkward.

2. Appointments usually accompany weird looks.

3. Introducing yourself to someone is never without a hitch.

4. You’ve probably thought about changing your name.

5. You’re often asked why you have the name you do.

6. You get excited when you meet someone of your gender with your name.

7. You feel awkward when you meet someone of the opposite gender with your name.

8. You’ve had someone say to you, “I knew a [your name], but they were [your opposite gender].”

9. You’ve heard a bad joke/pick-up line or two about your name before.

10. People are surprised when they see you.

11. You’re extra sensitive to other unique or unisex names.

12. You’ve fought with your parents about it.

13. All things considered, you’re happy your name makes you unique.

You know that all of these things apply to you. You'll just never tell.

I get it... I'm pale.

1. At least I can't lose you in a crowd!

2. Oh my goodness your skin is like glow-in-the-dark.

3. Can't you just get fake tan?

4. Do you tan or just burn?

5. Your kids are going to look like Casper the Friendly Ghost!

6. *holds arm against your arm* Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. *holds pale arm against another pale arm* Aw, at least you're darker than her!

8. I laid out by the pool almost every day over break!

9. I haven't used sunscreen since I was, like, five.

10. *adjusts selfie lighting to their face* Oops, where'd you go??

11. *after working out* Your face is SO red!

12. *wears white* Look! You're all one color!

13. You need to get some sun.

14. Aren't you excited for summer?

The struggle bus is real.

1. Child prodigies:

2. Hearing other musicians in the practice room next door and accepting that you will never be as talented as them:

3. That anxiety that takes over before every performance:

4. Taking a million 0 credit classes:

5. When there's a paper due the next day, but you have to attend yet another concert in order to pass a 0 credit class:

6. When your friends try to encourage you after a performance, even though you are criticizing everything in your mind:

7. Knowing that there's always that one professor during juries:

8. The oh-so-attractive band/choir uniforms:

9. Realizing that a college campus is maybe not the best atmosphere to finish your latest composition:

10. Hearing "Oh, you sing opera? I LOVE Phantom of the Opera!" for the hundredth time:

11. When people think finals week is a breeze for you.

12. When you're drowning in the stress that comes with 18+ credits (and not to mention all those 0 credit classes) and people ask you how you are:

13. When it all comes down to it, though, you know that at the end of the day, music is your passion:

Because you need it in your life.

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6. holds arm against your arm Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. holds pale arm against another pale arm Aw, at least you're darker than her!

10. adjusts selfie lighting to their face Oops, where'd you go??

11. after working out Your face is SO red!

12. wears white Look! You're all one color!