Bennett says, "I have always held a strong conviction that protesting or standing up for justice is just simply the right thing to do". And I wholeheartedly agree.
The problem that lies here is that age old rule of not allowing politics to enter the workplace. When you're at work, you're supposed to leave your opinions, beliefs, and positions at the door. These things are not supposed to affect your behavior at work. But if we really think about it, what is the workplace exactly for these football players ? They don't have one set place for work, they're on different fields in different places all the time. They're celebrities, really. Their "place" is on our television screens, in front of our eyes. Doesn't it seem like the perfect platform to get a really important message circulating throughout the entire country? I think so, and it's definitely enough to justify his actions.
Many people say that it's disrespectful to sit or kneel during the national anthem because of what the song represents. There are so many people out there fighting for our country and for our rights, and sitting during a song that supposedly represents all of this seems utterly shameful. However, what people fail to realize is what the kneeling actually represents. What good is it to stand and be proud of a country who fights for its rights if its own people can't even benefit from them? Should we really stand for a country that refuses to stand for us? Rights are not simply for one group of people. It often feels this way because people make it so, as they make it harder and harder for minorities to feel like they matter as much. Even so, rights are for all people. But we, as African Americans, simply do not possess those rights. People need to open their eyes and see the truth for what it is. Kaepernick is using his position to spread this message and help people understand the reality of the situation. There is nothing wrong with that, even if he is mixing politics with his job. His legal purpose is to only play football and provide entertainment nationwide, but his ethical purpose is to use his "leg up" to better the people of the United States. The issue is that people in general often do not like to hear the truth. And when it comes to racial problems, they'd rather turn their heads and pretend like they don't exist.
The first step in solving any problem is admitting that there is one. If we can't even do that, then I guess we'll be doomed forever.
Bianca:
ReplyDeleteYour writing, video, and cartoon convince me that Kaepernick is doing the right thing. Your writing is mature and your writing voice comes across as well.
However, what would other people say in response to him kneeling? Playing devil's advocate some would say it's disrespectful of him to state how he feels publicly. Some say he's being disrespectful to the flag. What do you say to that?
--Prof. Young
I say that it would not make sense for people to say that it is disrespectful for him to state his opinions publicly because his opinion deserves to be heard, just like anyone else's. People today will always run to say that we have freedom of speech and freedom of expression when THEY have something to say. But how can we exercise OUR rights if people constantly contradict this idea by condemning US for doing the same? That argument automatically loses its credibility. And about the flag: the flag contains 50 stars to represent the union of our states as a country. Even though this does not happen as often as it should, all of the people of our country should love one another and want to support each other. By trying to silence Kaepernick's opinions because his "purpose" is to solely play football, aren't they all missing the point? The devastating events occurring every single day with innocent African Americans deserves as much light as possible, so Kaepernick trying to spread a message is exactly what a civil American should do. He is simply fulfilling his obligation as a civilian in trying to bring our peoples together. But perhaps America is not yet ready for a true representation of our symbolic banner.
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