Passion Blog # 2

What started off as a one man show has transformed into a whole circus. No I am not talking about the now very famous Cirque du Soleil, but The San Francisco 49er Quarter Back Colin Kaepernick's protest of the National Anthem and the many people who have followed his lead since he first kneeled, instead of stood while the American National Anthem was playing before the kickoff of a pre-season game in mid-august of 2016. Although Kaepernick says he did not intend for his small protest to become such a hot topic, he has caused quite the debate. His protest turned into such a big event that prime time news channels, very popular political radio stations, and even The President of the United States gave their opinions on Colin's action. 

When first asked why he kneeled during the National Anthem he said "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Although many people, including myself, disagree with Kaerpenick; a lot of people agree with him and are duplicating his actions in and out of the NFL. This past Sunday 18 NFL players kneeled during the National Anthem, and it doesn't stop there. When NBA MVP Steph Curry was asked if he thinks NBA players will protest he had no doubt in his mind that "players will definitely follow", yet again it does not stop there. Just this past week I've read articles that this protest has trickled down all the way to high school football in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Alabama; spreading across the country like a plague. 

In my blogs I will not be voicing a heavily biased opinion on any topic. However,  I feel the urge to today because this just does not sit right with me. I believe this protest is sending negative messages and ideas to the youth (Kids, teenagers, and young adults), and ultimately could lead to a bigger, harmful action of protest. Although Colin Kaepernick's reasoning for kneeling is not wrong, it is also not right. Yes, specifically talking from the time period 2010-2016 (Many acts of oppression happened in U.S. history, I'm aware of that)  there have been many acts of oppression towards "colored people" in this the country such as police shootings, racial profiling, negative feelings towards immigrants, as well as other events. However, for every negative act of oppression in this country, there is also a positive act towards people of "color". By protesting, these people send a message that shadows all the positives of American Culture and make it seem like we are back in the 50s. However, the negative messages to the youth and all the good acts taken for granted by these protests is not the biggest problem I have. The biggest problem I have is the way in which the protest is happening. There are people in the United States who would, or even have died in order for our country to be able to still have a national anthem. The National Anthem is not just a song, it is a celebration of our freedom, a remembrance of those who have died for us to be free, and it unifies the country giving every person that resides here at least one thing in common. This is the root of my problem with the protest; the messages or symbolism of the Anthem and the "kneeling protest" do not equate. There are many ways a public figure like Colin Kaepernick can spread a message about "social injustice, and oppression", but by kneeling during the National Anthem: you are not just protesting social injustice, but disrespecting all those who have died to give us citizens the ability to choose weather to kneel or stand.