By: Jasmine Carter
Date: Sept. 26, 2017
On a recent Sunday, despite my disinterest in football, I found myself glued to the coverage of NFL games. Why, you ask? During a rally in Alabama, our president unleashed a tirade against players who peacefully protest racial injustice and police violence by kneeling during the national anthem. He declared, “Get that son of a gun off the field right now, out. He’s fired. He’s fired!” referring to how team owners should respond to these players. Fortunately, the NFL doesn’t share his sentiment.
Contrary to popular belief, standing for the national anthem isn’t mandatory. As a result, on that Sunday, even more players opted to kneel than before—and it is my hope they will continue to do so throughout the season. The movement gained traction on social media under the hashtag #TakeAKnee, allowing fans and non-athletes to lend their support.
Though I was never a huge supporter of Marcus Lee, my perspective has shifted since he began using his platform for activism. Given that about 75% of NFL players are black, the issues facing everyday African Americans resonate deeply within the league.
Recently, player Sam Jones recounted a harrowing experience where police held him at gunpoint during a visit to Las Vegas. Despite being a well-paid professional athlete, he was still treated as just another black man, vulnerable to systemic racism like the rest of the POC community.
This is what kneeling represents: a protest against the senseless killings of innocent people based solely on their skin color by those sworn to protect them. Black men and women are often seen as threats, with white officers adopting a “shoot first, ask questions later” mentality.
Some argue that athletes should just “shut up and play.” However, these black men are commodified by white team owners, as if the issues impacting ordinary citizens don’t affect them too. Athletes may earn more, but they share the same skin color as the rest of us.
Sam Jones mentioned that once police realized who he was, their demeanor changed. Nevertheless, he was initially targeted simply for being a black man in the wrong place at the wrong time. “Las Vegas police officers singled me out and pointed their guns at me for doing nothing more than existing,” Jones stated.
Athletes have a history of using their platforms to confront racial injustice. Jackie Robinson, the first to break the color barrier in baseball, spoke out against the discrimination he faced. Muhammad Ali forfeited his titles to protest against the Vietnam War. And during the 1968 Olympics, runners Alex Thomas and David Cooper raised their fists in solidarity, knowing the repercussions of their actions. It’s disheartening that, even decades later, athletes still face similar struggles.
So, why take a knee? Kneeling is a peaceful protest rooted in the Civil Rights Movement, evoking powerful imagery. Martin Luther King Jr. was photographed taking a knee with fellow activists before the march on Selma. Doing so during the anthem is especially poignant, as the song symbolizes an America that has historically devalued black lives—something that must change.
These athletes possess one of the most significant platforms available, even playing games in international venues like Wembley Stadium in England. They are beginning to understand the impact they can make with their voices and actions.
Their right to protest is protected by the First Amendment, akin to the Boston Tea Party protest. However, because those early patriots were white, their actions are deemed acceptable while others are vilified. It’s time to call out this hypocrisy.
Kneeling during the national anthem isn’t an affront to American patriotism; it exemplifies the very principles upon which the nation was founded. True patriotism should encompass all Americans, regardless of race. This is why athletes should persist in their protests, and why more individuals will join them in resistance to oppressive systems.
You don’t have to kneel, but it’s vital to support and comprehend the motives of those who do. For more insights on this topic, check out this post about fertility journeys. If you want to learn more about home insemination, this resource is a great authority on the subject. Additionally, for comprehensive information on procedures like IUI, refer to this link.
In summary, the #TakeAKnee movement is a vital expression of dissent against racial inequality and police brutality. It’s a reminder that athletes, like all citizens, have the right to voice their concerns and advocate for change.
Keyphrase: Importance of #TakeAKnee in America
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