As of late, San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick has taken a knee during the National Anthem to protest recent racially-influenced police shootings. As a result, high school athletes have emulated Kaepernick’s actions in a trend that does more harm than good and is highly offensive.
Although taking a knee might appear to be a noble cause, it is really a cause with no good outcome. At best, this behavior is misguided and rude; at worst, it is anti-American. This form of protest doesn’t accomplish anything, and it hurts more people than it helps. Taking a knee does nothing but facilitate disrespect.
While it is certainly an athlete’s right not to stand, that does make it right or acceptable at all. The National Anthem is a display of homage to the United States and those who served this great country at the risk of their lives. Standing up, singing, and facing the flag with a hand over your heart is a symbolic, almost effortless way of showing immense respect for America and its brave defenders.
Kneeling supports the unhealthy stereotype that all police officers are trigger-happy lunatics. Nearly all police officers are brave, selfless patriots who lay down their lives in the defense of civilization and our rights. When student athletes refuse to stand, it seems to be because of the actions of a few unruly policemen who are not representative of the greater body at all.
Taking a knee blatantly disregards, dishonors, and offends the massive majority of brave soldiers and police officers who have risked their lives defending freedom. Many injured veterans cannot even stand for the anthem themselves, so the least these athletes can do is stand in their stead — or pick up a rifle, fly thousands of miles from their loved ones, and defend their freedom for themselves.
For the officers and troops who have died in the line of duty, this action gravely upsets their families and friends. In a school system in which students are taught not to offend others, it is shameful that student athletes disrespect the millions of brave men and women who have defended American rights and values simply to prove a point.
When an athlete takes a knee, he rejects his American identity, or the common values and ideals of this nation that unite people despite their differences, in favor of a personal belief.
This is ultimately selfish, and it is a way for the self-absorbed to make a statement and disregard the feelings of others. It does nothing to solve police violence. If the most one can do is kneel during an inspiring 117 second song about America, then people will still be victims of police shootings and people will still disrespect law enforcement.
This is the most useless form of protest ever conceived. It is even worse that athletes choose to send this message on the playing field, bringing politics into a place that is supposed to connect people through the friendly spirit of competition. It is the wrong environment to take a stance on civic issues.
Furthermore, taking a knee is a sign of defeat; it shows deference to the problems that plague our nation. As an athlete should know, giving up does not ensure victory. It is not time to yield to adversity, but rather time to stand up in respect and support of America, its rights, and everything this great country values.
