While Wearing A U.S. Uniform USWNT Midfielder Megan Rapinoe Kneels During The National Anthem | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

While Wearing A U.S. Uniform USWNT Midfielder Megan Rapinoe Kneels During The National Anthem

Rapinoe receives harsh criticism following her decision to kneel during the national anthem.

36
While Wearing A U.S. Uniform USWNT Midfielder Megan Rapinoe Kneels During The National Anthem

Earlier this month, Colin Kaepernick started a trend of kneeling for the national anthem to protest racial, social, and economic inequality among the African American community. Rapinoe was one of the first of many athletes to stand in solidarity with Kapernick's stance. On Thursday, Rapinoe continued her stance by deciding to kneel during the USWNT friendly against Thailand. The women's soccer team destroyed Thailand by a ghastly score of 9-0, but Rapinoe's protest on the national stage consumed headlines. Thursday marked the first time Rapinoe had protested the anthem while representing her country, as she continued to support Kaepernick. While Kaepernick and several other athletes who emulated him in recent weeks were on professional teams or school teams, Rapinoe was representing her country, which upped the stakes in many minds. Rapinoe protesting, while representing the red, white, and blue, garnered some very harsh criticism. When asked about protesting the anthem while wearing a national jersey Rapinoe said: "I think it is different. I think it means a lot more. I truly feel like I am representing my country by doing this, in representing everyone that lives in this country, not just the people who look like me.” Rapinoe issued additional statements after the game in regards to criticism that claimed her protest disrespected her the country and her team; "I think that we need to look at all the things that we say the flag and the anthem mean and everybody that it represents and all the liberties and the freedoms that we want it to mean to everybody, and ask ourselves: Is it protecting everybody in the same way? Is it giving all the freedoms to everyone in the country the same way, or are there certain people that don’t feel as protected as I do every day?”

Rapinoe has faced a lot of backlash from the American public, but it looks like she may face repercussions from the U.S. soccer federation. U.S. soccer released this statement during an ESPN2 broadcast:


The topic of kneeling for the national anthem is a very controversial one. Although I may not agree with their stance I believe everyone has a right to express their First Amendment privileges. In this case, the criticism and possible consequences that Rapinoe faced are completely justified. It is hypocritical to protest the flag while representing the flag on a jersey. Rapinoe could have made a huge political statement by choosing to no longer play the USWNT for the sake of injustice. However, that would have been a very significant fiscal sacrifice on Rapinoe's part. For change to happen in this country, there needs to be action following a voice.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

187764
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

13335
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

456689
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25911
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments