About a month ago, Colin Kaepernick took a stand that earned him national attention. His choice to take a knee during the national anthem to show his dissatisfaction with the treatment of black Americans all over the country was a polarizing one. Kaepernick, whether intentionally or not, sparked a conversation on patriotism, a conversation that has since run rampant throughout the country.

Supporters of Kaepernick, as well as the many other black college and professional athletes that have followed suit believe his actions are justified; within his constitutional rights and necessary to turn the national focus to the challenges faced by the black Americans, particularly concerning police brutality. Critics of Kaepernick’s actions, however, are quick cry “military,” and argue that his actions signify a lack of support for the vets that protect us and our constitutional rights.

Though likely unrelated, Scotch Plains-Fanwood board of education recently proposed a change to their policy that requires students to say the pledge of allegiance in school every day, that has sparked a similar conversation on a local level. The New Jersey school district policy would now remove the requirement for conscientious objectors to provide a note from parents and the policy would be expanded to allow exemptions for “children of accredited representatives of foreign governments receiving diplomatic immunity.”

Ok, so getting rid of the note-from-mommy to exercise one’s constitutional rights is a step in the right direction, but it's still not enough.

To the critics of Kaepernick, to those in favor of the pledge requirement, to those that insist we must say the pledge and stand attention for the anthem out of “respect for our troops,” when did patriotism become obligatory?

Sure, it's a trite argument, but the first amendment of the constitution protects our freedom of speech, and in doing so, protects our right to protest, even down to something as small as a choice to not say the pledge during homeroom.

The very basis of the country is one of freedom; the freedom to express oneself and to speak out against the government. Yet, the very same people who champion the greatness of this free nation are the same ones willing to sacrifice our freedom and argue steadfastly that Kaepernick was out of line, and the pledge should be a requirement in schools, without exception.

At the end of the day, forcing patriotism on our people, whether through a board of education policy or angry sports fans, is a violation of our constitutional rights, the rights that give us something to be proud of in the first place.