Kneel or Stand? Who Will Win the Battle?
Protesting during the National Anthem is happening all around the country. MHS coaches and faculty share how they feel about these protests and why it’s such a big deal.
“I think one of the reasons it’s so controversial is because that (the national anthem) was a time where we could stand as Americans in unity and together in one common goal. Now it’s turned into what players are going to protest, and who’s going to kneel and why are they kneeling down. Instead of let’s stand together as Americans, it’s now turned into something else,” Vice Principal Bradee Klassen said.
How did kneeling during the National Anthem to protest start anyway? Last summer NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick decided to take a controversial stand against inequality and police brutality by sitting during the National Anthem at a preseason 49ers game. Kaepernick eventually decided to kneel because he thought kneeling was a more respectful gesture. He has gained lots of support during these protests including from athletes from many other sports. To show how controversial it is Colin Kaepernick did not get resigned to the NFL. His actions started a movement with NFL players to kneel. These athletes have offended many Americans who feel kneeling is disrespectful to the flag and the country that many fought to keep free. It has even caught the attention of our President in many of his recent Tweets. Last Sunday the Vice President walked out of a game because players knelt.
Is protesting during the National Anthem an appropriate way to take a stand against the injustices people see in America Today? English Teacher and Track Coach Lyle Wakefield doesn’t think so.
“I’m not happy with it. Certainly there are problems in the country that need need to be addressed but choosing not to be patriotic and sitting or kneeling when others are standing and saluting the flag is a way of showing disrespect for the country. Its making their private agenda more important than the country, than patriotism, than loyalty, than unity. They’re setting themselves up to be better than the country. So there’s a difference between recognizing there’s problems in the country and addressing them as opposed to choosing not to be patriotic,” Mr. Wakefield said.
Kaepernick is now using his time to raise money for the communities he’s worried about. On his Instagram Account he says he has donated $800,000 so far.
“I respect any of the professional athletes that use their influence and resources to make life better for others. Acknowledging there are problems in the country is good but you don’t do that by being unpatriotic. You do it by what others are doing, using influence and resources to help people’s lives be better,” Mr. Wakefield said
Many people died fighting to keep our right to protest but because this protest is associated with sports and the National Anthem it has brought out powerful feeling on both sides.
“I am tired of trying to watch sports and getting political issues. If you have complaints, don’t complain about the flag. The flag is the only unifying thing we have in this country. That’s what it symbolizes: unification. To criticize the flag and kneel to me is a sign of saying I wished I lived in another country,” Head Football Coach Mitchell Buck said.
