Meanwhile, Alex Boone, one of Kaepernick’s former teammates, ripped him saying: “I understand it”.
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Yet there are organizations that embrace the flag precisely as a way to declare that their members, too, are Americans.
Reaction to Kaepernick split sharply along racial lines in the poll. That is what the issue is, and we need to change that. “I’ll stand out of respect for the people standing next to me, not because I believe it”. The flag is, however, the symbol of our country.
Agree with Kaepernick’s protest or not – and we don’t – it is imperative we recognize Kaepernick, who says he wants to draw attention to how minorities are treated in the United States, is within his right to do so, especially when we all agree that in a free society a free and protected speech is a foundational element. Megan Rapinoe, a professional women’s soccer player who played for the United States in last month’s Olympics, did not stand for the anthem prior to a game recently as well.
Following Kaepernick’s example, pro athletes and high school students across the country are taking a knee or linking arms during the national anthem before sporting events.
Thus instead of insulting our nation and Americans who actually like what our flag stands for, these National Football League athletes should use their money and fame to work towards actual solutions to the black issues they purport to care about.
The anthem “was written in a time when we as African-Americans were still slaves”, said Barbour. “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color”. “And hopefully the conversation is about what his message was and not ‘Is he gonna stand, or is he gonna sit for the national anthem?'” Curry told CNBC. “But I no longer put my hand over my heart”.
Her father volunteered for the military, along with her uncle and other Japanese-American men who felt it was their duty.
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If you believe what Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones has to say about how the demographic makeup of a sport plays a role in these protests, Oladipo probably isn’t wrong here. This movement is sweeping the nation as a peaceful form of protest. That’s why we’re part of America. “It’s because of our troops we can exercise this right, freedom of speech”. Staff writers Errin Haines Whack contributed from Philadelphia; Jesse J. Holland and Noreen Nasir from Washington.
