A strong and silent, yet controversial act of protest is sweeping the United States as the football season kicks into gear.
It began when Colin Kaepernick, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, chose to remain seated during the National Anthem before the preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on August 26th. Since then, he has been joined by players from different teams, and even sports, in his refusal to stand for a country that oppresses black people.
“To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.” - Kaepernick
He is, of course, referring to the epidemic of police brutality against African American citizens in the United States; an issue well worth taking a stand on. Or, in this case, choosing not to.
Since that August 26th game, Kaepernick's protest has been taken up by many others, including team mate Eric Reid. Reid, who knelt with Kaepernick during a September first game, compared kneeling during the National Anthem to flying the flag at half mast. Flying our flag at half mast has long been a symbol of respect and at the same time an acknowledgment that something is not right in our country.
That's exactly what this form of protest is meant to be.
These athletes are not ignoring the National Anthem, or all that it means for our country. Their goal is not to disrespect the United States. In fact, many have gone out of their way to share how blessed and proud they feel to live in this nation. But they also know that pride in a country is no reason to turn a blind eye to the need for change.
In the past hundred years, the U.S. has taken great strides towards equality for all citizens. But we still have a long way to go. Megan Rapinoe, a player for the Seattle Reign soccer team, says, "being a gay American, I know what it means to look at a flag and not have it protect all of your liberties." That's why she has chosen to support Kaepernick in the battle for racial equality, and keep the conversation going by kneeling for the anthem during her own team's games.
The act of protest really gained momentum as the U.S. approached the 15th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Which raised the questions, would players sit during the anthem on this day? And how would that make us feel?
The anniversary of 9/11 is an emotional day for our entire country. On that day 15 years ago, we all stood together in the face of terror. This year, any anthem played deserves that same solidarity and respect.
Again, though, athletes choosing to sit or kneel for the National Anthem is not meant to be disrespectful. Even so, many athletes came up with ways to stay standing, while also standing behind Kaepernick. Players for the New England Patriots and the Tennessee Titans raised their fists during the anthem, displaying the symbol for Black Power. The entire team of the Seattle Seahawks, including their coach, linked arms during the anthem.
And the players for the Miami Dolphins who did take a knee after the 9/11 acknowledgement? The reaction to them has still been mostly positive. The Dolphins released an official statement in support of their players' actions.
Barack Obama himself is supportive, reminding citizens that these players are exercising their Constitutional right to make a statement.
Still, there are those that feel Kaepernick should find a different way to draw attention to the issues of our nation. One such individual is John Tortorella, an NHL coach who has threatened to bench any player who does not stand for the National Anthem. He makes a good point:
"When there are men and women that give their lives for their flag, for their anthem...families that have been disrupted, traumatic physical injuries, traumatic mental injuries for these people that give us the opportunity to do the things we want to do, there’s no chance an anthem and a flag should come into any type of situation where you’re trying to make a point." - Tortorella
The thing about this protest though is that athletes are keeping respect for our country, and the men and women who serve it, a priority. Many athletes are kneeling now, rather than sitting, or showing their solidarity with Kaepernick in other forms.
Kaepernick and everyone else is staying respectful of our National Anthem and those that defend it.
However, they have also found a way to make a statement about the state of race relations in our country on a national level.
When an athlete doesn't stand for the National Anthem, it gets noticed. It gets talked about. And their actions are not more extreme than the gravity of the situation they wish to change.
It is 2016 and we are still teaching racism and letting people get away with it. Young people are being killed for no other reason than the color of their skin.
This is a problem that deserves to be talked about on a national level. If we don't, it won't change.
Our nation needs change before we can all stand with complete pride for our National Anthem.
