In 2016, when Colin Kaepernick began his protest of our national anthem, I did not believe it would really amount to much.
Yet, a backup quarterback's protest has now turned into a national headline week after week and sparked a Twitter war involving the President of the United States.
The protest itself; to kneel or raise a fist during the anthem has been deemed disrespectful by some, including myself.
I am not a big fan of kneeling during the anthem, I personally will never do anything other than stand at attention for the anthem. But to say that these players are "sons of b*tches" as our President did is asinine and also, at the very least, a tad disrespectful.
Yet, the whole conservative narrative has been very evident to me. Despite the fact that many of conservative commentators and activists have recognized the right, they still express disdain.
Disdain at what, exactly? Men with an elevated platform expressing their opinions on social issues, peacefully.
Is that not what conservatives have been criticizing modern social justice advocates for?
During the riots in Ferguson, Baltimore, and Milwaukee the entire narrative from people like myself was that it would be more respectable if people tried to move their cause peacefully.
Yet, when that happens, we seem to almost have a breakdown at someone doing something we do not like.
Charlie Kirk, founder of the conservative movement Turning Point USA, has repeatedly denounced the anthem protests, and even encouraged the booing heard at some of the stadiums.
Why exactly should they be booed? For making a statement they believe in, and should be booed because you do not like it?
I understand, I personally do not think anyone should be doing anything but standing at attention.
Nevertheless, the whole idea behind opposition towards the Black Lives Matter movement is their violence. Nobody is being violent here, and nobody should cursed out for peacefully expressing their views.
Not only have people become offended, but a Trump Political Action Committee has now begun to encourage a boycott against the league.
One of the most overplayed jabs at Democrats during election season was the idea of a "liberal snowflake." Yet, here comes a Republican group starting a boycott because someone made a statement.
Moreover, the response from our President has been even more concerning, for more than just his initial response.
Trump's "sons of b*tches" comment has already begun to live in infamy, and most likely will continue to do so.
President's do not talk like that, they never have and never should. I cannot recall a time that President Obama cursed at anyone.
In an eight year per span where racist attacks by uneducated Americans, alongside the "birther" movement, Obama not once resorted to knee-jerk anger, and it would have been much more justified than Trump's outrage.
Instead, Obama made laughed it off and led with grace. For all his faulty views on policy, the 44th President would never say something remotely similar to Americans peacefully demonstrating.
Not only has Trump's most recent attack sparked criticism, but also how intense it was compared to other issues.
Trump's response to the Charlottesville terror attack was much weaker, and his "both sides" comment was torn apart by a long list of people.
The President's response to a neo-nazi terror attack was composed and did not seem to take a side.
Yet, his response to people using their first amendment rights while doing no harm to others is to shout and curse out multiple players on different NFL teams. That behavior from a President should be concerning to everyone.
Trump is not known for is composed responses or his class. The way he reacts to certain things is very telling. He will immediately lash out at things he finds sickening, like disrespecting our flag.
His priorities are completely out of line. While Puerto Rico suffers the impacts of Maria, the President is having Twitter arguments with NBA stars and cursing out peaceful NFL players.
The President's recent actions and the response from conservatives show hypocrisy within the movement, and turning a blind eye to our President's faults will not make him any better or unite anyone.
Yelling at and showing immense disdain for peaceful protestors will not end their protest; Trump's comment proved that as more and more players, and even owners, united during week 3 and joined the protest.
To fix anything, everyone must first stop yelling at one another and be open to different ideas and forms of expression.
