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Kneeling for justice
ATHLETES FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY JOIN THE SILENT PROTESTS DURING THE
NATIONAL ANTHEM FOR RACIAL JUSTICE
LVEA
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BY JA M ES H A R LEY
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In recent weeks, athletes around the
country have been silently protesting
racial injustice. The protesting itself
hasn’t been the cause of the controversy,
however; it’s how the athletes are doing
it.
It began when Colin Kaepernick, the
San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback,
took a knee during the national anthem
before the team’s first preseason game
in late August. Kaepernick claimed that
among other issues, he was kneeling for
racial injustice.
When the news first broke, no one really
understood why anyone could disrespect
the American flag like he did, and nearly
everywhere, there was only criticism.
Then, something interesting happened:
people started kneeling with him. First
it was K aepernick’ s team m ate Eric
Reid, next it was Seahawks cornerback
Jeremy Lane, and now across the country
there are numerous athletes from high
schools such as Lincoln High School here
in Oregon that have joined the silent
protest. Colleges and members of other
professional sports have also joined. Now
there are huge amounts of support for the
silent protestors, clashing with the critics
and creating more controversy.
“ I don’t like it,” Navy veteran John Lair
told Chris Carlson from the Associated
Press about Kaepernick’s protest. " If he’s
not for our country and the United States
flag, get out of my country.”
O th e r A m e ric a n s have s im ila r
sen tim en ts about the controversy.
However, many people, such as Kansas
City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters,
support the idea of the First Amendment,
and argue that the athletes have the right
to share their opinion.
"I was just stating how I’m black, and I
love being black,” Peters told Fox Sports
after the game against San Diego. “ I’m
supporting Colin in what he’ s doing as
far as raising awareness with the justice
system .”
illustration by Austin Boltz
I have seen and read many comments
about this issue, and the overall argument
is whether or not it is right for anybody to
sit or kneel during the national anthem.
One thing that many who are against
the silent protests need to know is that
Kaepernick isn ’ t necessarily against
the country, he is simply trying to raise
awareness for racial injustice, among
other things he had to say. He even stated
that he was prepared for the backlash, and
knew that what he was doing was going
to stir controversy.
Of the many players that have joined
the protests, the best way it’ s been done
was w hen several Seattle Seahaw ks
players linked arms to show that they
were in support of the national anthem,
yet continue the conversation that
Kaepernick started. Considering how
the spotlight was on the conversation at
the time, it was probably the smartest
and most peaceful way anyone could’ve
carried the talk on.
T he m ain issu e I have about
Kaepernick’ s protest is the fact that he
is doing it during the national anthem.
The flag isn ’ t just a representation of
our country, but a representation of our
freedom, and all the soldiers and brave
souls who have fought for that freedom.
Kaepernick can say it’s for racial injustice,
but in the end, kneeling for the national
anthem is saying more than just that.
However, he may not have been able to
bring up the issue had he not kneeled. I
am all for freedom of speech. Whether we
agree with what he says or not, his opinion
has the right to be heard, and that’s the
beautiful thing about our country.
What do you think about the issue? Tell us
what you think and vote on my Twitter poll:
@jamesharley64.
Clackamas Pmt 0 0 0 8 » 12.2016 ffvdackarnaumtarn 5