osunwu27
New member
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2017
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 5
- Gender
- Undisclosed
- Political Leaning
- Liberal
“Colin Kaepernick took to one knee during the national anthem when he played for the San Francisco 49ers, in protest of police brutality against black Americans.” (Newyorker.com)
But due to media and general public outcry, the original reason has been changed to one that has devolved to blacks protesting in general as well as an issue of constitutional rights. Now the argument is to show respect support for our troops and veterans, which kneeling shows disrespect towards our men at arms or those who once served. Many take it as an attack on America itself. However, there are clear facts that contradict that specific argument. I believe kneeling during the national anthem is completely ok and in fact, it is a perfectly fine constitutional protest.
One of the fact that contradicts the “disrespect” of the troops and our national anthem is that many veterans have already stepped up and much more have said the reason why they served was that so people could have those rights. The veteran in question, Richard Allen ,said, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.”
Those words involve the right to speech and protest. Which that right is protected by the 1st amendment. Some veterans themselves have written an open letter applauding Kaepernick's actions. The content of the letter itself speaks about rightful protest as well as history of protests from blacks and athletes which can read here (An open letter from American military veterans in support of Colin Kaepernick ? The Undefeated)
Speaking of history there have been many different instances in history where protests have been protected and discussed by the nation. A big example is the court case, Texas V Johnson. Which a man burned the American Flag in protest of the Vietnam War, a very controversial topic at the time that quickly sparked conversations across the nation about how Johnson was disrespecting the Flag and his nation. A comparison that mirrors the one of today and the national anthem. The Supreme Court ruled that he had a right to burn the flag due to his freedom of speech. But regardless, despite all the ruling he was still to be arrested for burning the flag again last year.
Delving in the newer argument on racial protesting, America has a history of disregarding civil right protests especially the Civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King. In which some conservatives, called reasonable Republicans by ThinkProgress said that “The reasonable Republican does not agree with Trump that the players should be fired… [they] believe the players have a point and are well-meaning... but are counterproductive.” Reasonable republicans can be seen as ones that are “open” to newer ideas and don’t seem to take the radical decision first and see the protests in general as a waste of time and don’t seem to actually bring any action to their cause. They are proved wrong by history though as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed when MLK marched on Washington. In which a poll by Gallup was taken shortly in which it said that “74 percent of Americans believed that ‘mass demonstrations by Negroes’ would ‘hurt the Negro’s cause for racial equality.’”
Officially there isn’t a rule stated anywhere where one must stand during the anthem. Many guidelines were set for veterans and active service members, but citizens explicitly were not required to stands during the anthem. Citizens only have guidelines to follow. In “Title 36, Section 301 of the U.S. Code, which designates the Star-Spangled Banner as the national anthem… [It] instructs military members and veterans on how to conduct themselves… men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.” (AL.com) Assuming the men not in uniform are citizens then are not essentially required to respond to the anthem, hence the “should”, which is a clearly given choice.
This may not be a complete sound defense for pro-kneeling so I would like to hear more regarding my side as well as the opposing side. Flame me up, fellas.
But due to media and general public outcry, the original reason has been changed to one that has devolved to blacks protesting in general as well as an issue of constitutional rights. Now the argument is to show respect support for our troops and veterans, which kneeling shows disrespect towards our men at arms or those who once served. Many take it as an attack on America itself. However, there are clear facts that contradict that specific argument. I believe kneeling during the national anthem is completely ok and in fact, it is a perfectly fine constitutional protest.
One of the fact that contradicts the “disrespect” of the troops and our national anthem is that many veterans have already stepped up and much more have said the reason why they served was that so people could have those rights. The veteran in question, Richard Allen ,said, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.”
Those words involve the right to speech and protest. Which that right is protected by the 1st amendment. Some veterans themselves have written an open letter applauding Kaepernick's actions. The content of the letter itself speaks about rightful protest as well as history of protests from blacks and athletes which can read here (An open letter from American military veterans in support of Colin Kaepernick ? The Undefeated)
Speaking of history there have been many different instances in history where protests have been protected and discussed by the nation. A big example is the court case, Texas V Johnson. Which a man burned the American Flag in protest of the Vietnam War, a very controversial topic at the time that quickly sparked conversations across the nation about how Johnson was disrespecting the Flag and his nation. A comparison that mirrors the one of today and the national anthem. The Supreme Court ruled that he had a right to burn the flag due to his freedom of speech. But regardless, despite all the ruling he was still to be arrested for burning the flag again last year.
Delving in the newer argument on racial protesting, America has a history of disregarding civil right protests especially the Civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King. In which some conservatives, called reasonable Republicans by ThinkProgress said that “The reasonable Republican does not agree with Trump that the players should be fired… [they] believe the players have a point and are well-meaning... but are counterproductive.” Reasonable republicans can be seen as ones that are “open” to newer ideas and don’t seem to take the radical decision first and see the protests in general as a waste of time and don’t seem to actually bring any action to their cause. They are proved wrong by history though as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed when MLK marched on Washington. In which a poll by Gallup was taken shortly in which it said that “74 percent of Americans believed that ‘mass demonstrations by Negroes’ would ‘hurt the Negro’s cause for racial equality.’”
Officially there isn’t a rule stated anywhere where one must stand during the anthem. Many guidelines were set for veterans and active service members, but citizens explicitly were not required to stands during the anthem. Citizens only have guidelines to follow. In “Title 36, Section 301 of the U.S. Code, which designates the Star-Spangled Banner as the national anthem… [It] instructs military members and veterans on how to conduct themselves… men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.” (AL.com) Assuming the men not in uniform are citizens then are not essentially required to respond to the anthem, hence the “should”, which is a clearly given choice.
This may not be a complete sound defense for pro-kneeling so I would like to hear more regarding my side as well as the opposing side. Flame me up, fellas.
