The world has surely been up to date with the recent actions of professional sports athletes deciding to "take a stand" and remain seated during the national anthem as a way to protest the many social inequities that have occurred among minorities in the United States. San Francisco 49ers' quarterback, Colin Kaepernik, was the first individual to spark this trend of action when he decided to sit during the national anthem at a preseason game back in August saying in part that, "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color."

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11. Over 3,000 Americans lost their lives on that fateful day when a group of al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four major American airliners and flew them into the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. The fourth was supposedly meant for the White House, but courageous passengers aboard Flight 93 caught on to the arranged attack and stormed the cock pit in order to put a stop to these hijacker's mission. The casualties included the more than 400 police officers and firefighters who risked their lives to run into those burning buildings while we would all tearfully run out of them.

Ever since the attacks, a memorial has taken place in New York City where Ground Zero once stood. Family members, friends, and mournful Americans gather on this day every year to pay their respects and listen to the names of the dead be called. Politicians and law enforcement from all across the country try to make it out to such an extraordinary commemoration. And just like in many sporting events throughout the nation, the national anthem and the American flag is on display for all those to hear and take pride in because an event so tragic will never break the American spirit.

So, Kaepernik, on a day like 9/11, would you still choose to remain seated for the national anthem? Could you really stand to not put your hand over your heart thinking about the way in which these thousands of people had to lose their lives? Their screams and their debris and bloodied faces don't fill your mind? The girl who has to grow up without a father because he decided to go to work that day doesn't kill you inside in the slightest bit? It could have been you, Kaepernik, or your mother, or your father, or your best friend who didn't make it out alive that day; it could have been any of us, but wouldn't you want to feel immense proud for your nation today?

Or maybe, since it is 9/11, he would agree to stand for this time only, but then that would hinder his "protest," no? Because cherry picking when it is you want to stand or remain seated for the anthem would lead anyone to believe that you're not taking what you say seriously. If another terrorist attack happened tomorrow would you still remain seated then, Kaepernik?

Our national anthem and the American flag is so much bigger than "something that represents the oppression of black people" and "his right to protest" and we all know it. There's so much more going on in the world and we can't continue to remain divided, especially not over something like standing for our nation.