Recently a scandal hit our country that started with a simple action -- a prominent athletic took a stand by sitting down.
Colin Kaepernick claimed he sat because, "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color... 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" (NFL interview).
Since then, hundreds if not thousands of arguments for and against this decision have arose. Why did he do it? What's wrong with him? Is he unpatriotic? Is he a hero? Is his stand going to do anything?
The Arguments:
Dishonoring Soldiers?
Many (including the infamous Tomi Lahren) in response to Kaepernick's actions claimed they were anti-patriotic and degrading toward soldiers. Those who have been against Tomi Lahren's rhetoric still agreed with her on this issue that he was disrespectful toward the sacrifice soldiers gave.
This Twitter post featured a solider who couldn't physically stand during the anthem, but tried to anyway out of pride for his country.
Another Twitter post points out an NFL player who left the game to serve his country in the military.
These were just a few of the outcry from anger NFL viewers when Kaepernick sat for the anthem.
#VeteransForKaepernick?
Despite the previous argument, many veterans took to Twitter to voice their support for Colin Kaepernick and his decisions. Many wanted to simply defend a person's right to stand or not stand for the national anthem or pledge of allegiance. Others supported his right to sit due to their own mistreatment within the military due to race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.
Sports Illustrated published an article about how Kaepernick's action was to bring light to an oppressed group, not dishonor or disrespect the military. This article echoed a lot of other Twitter-based sentiments and outcries about what veterans really fought for.
For the record, the league released a statement, saying, "Players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem." Thus there was no legal issue with Kaepernick sitting, but the implications have been argued over for over a week.
What's Happened Since?
In his most recent game, Kaepernick sat again but in the form of kneeling. According to ESPN, "Kaepernick vowed to continue sitting during the national anthem until he was satisfied with the changes made toward ending racial oppression in the United States." He decided to kneel instead of sit apparently to honor but soldiers but still make his point.
At the team hotel on Thursday afternoon, Kaepernick discussed his protest with Nate Boyer, the former Army Green Beret and long-snapper, and safety Eric Reid. They decided that in order to continue the message but not dishonor those who had fought and are still fighting for our country. They decided on the kneeling, "because there are issues that still need to be addressed and there was also a way to show more respect for the men and women that fight for this country."
What do you think? Was his choice to sit a courageous stand for oppression, or is he ignorantly disrespecting soldiers?
