In the recent months, a new form of protest has begun which is to kneel while the national anthem is being sung. It was started by a quarterback named Colin Kaepernick and it has since taken off. In fact, most recently, a new form of it happened when a women took a knee while she was singing the anthem at a basketball game. These people have a right to do this, they are protesting for something they feel passionate about. One of the things that makes the United States so great is that we have the right for free speech and to protest. However, as a proud American, I have a problem with the way they are protesting and I would never take a knee during the national anthem. Here are my reasons why.

First, to me, the American Flag is representing the American history. Starting from when we fought for our independence, gained our independence, then went on to become the greatest nation in the world. It represents our strength, our weaknesses, and everything in between. I respect my country and our history. I think we have come a long way and continue to be the best and strive for greatness. I would never kneel for the fact being it is our heritage, our history, no matter what that flag is a symbol of being American the good and the bad. While I do not agree with everything we have done, I'm proud that we learned from our mistakes and continue to try and do the right thing.

Second, at the events people are choosing to kneel at, there are soldiers holding the flags in front of them. There are soldiers almost always there. Taking a kneel in front of them shows great disrespect to them. Whether you mean to or not, realize it or not, it does. Who am I to take kneel? While I have men and women standing in front of me who have fought for me to have the right to take the kneel. They have done unimaginable things, shown bravery for me, the people of America, and the flag represents that. Yes, the flag does represent the soldiers who fight for the United States of America, some seem to be confused on that.

Lastly, this point is kind of a summary of everything I have said and a few other things I think. The flag represents me, it represents who I am, which is American. It represents the past, but it represents my future as well. The national anthem is sacred and so is the flag. Both are two things that are used to show pride, remembrance, and encouragement for the country. It represents our soldiers, the ones who are fighting and the ones that have died, giving their lives for this country. I was always taught growing up, if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything. I figuratively and literally stand for the American flag. When I stand, I'm standing for myself, my country, my family, and for the men and women who have fought so hard for this country. I stand because I'm proud to be American. If I was ever wanting to protest something or felt passionate about an issue that was not being treated right, I would choose to protest in a different way. To me the American Flag and the National Anthem are off limits, they deserve much more than taking a knee, they deserve a hand over the heart and standing on two feet. I will always do that because I'm a proud American who respects my country.

I would like to say these are my opinions, this is how I feel. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and I respect all of them.