Kneel

The clash between the NFL and President Trump regarding kneeling protests during the National Anthem is a controversial subject because not everyone agrees that you should kneel and not everyone agrees that you should have to stand. The article “More than 200 NFLplayers sit or kneel during national anthem” by Arnie Stapleton, is a subjective article because Stapleton tells us how he feels about the whole situation.

                Stapleton describes the fueled anthem protest between President Trump and the NFL players stating that President feels that the NFL players are displaying disrespect for our country while most of the NFL are standing in solidarity at what they feel is an attack on their personal freedom of choice. Stapleton theorizes that protests started more than a year ago with Colin Kaepernick, a former 49ers quarterback who refused to stand for the National Anthem to protest police treatment of minorities. He also summarizes that those actively protesting are of black descent who feel that President Trump’s speech was an assault on their right to freedom of speech.

Stapleton made some very good points on describing the ongoing issues between President Trump and the NFL players. He gives us each one’s view and how these feelings are dividing a nation. He makes mention that NFL players cite their right to free speech but does mention how many of these players and their supporters know that it is the 1^st amendment to the constitution and that you can say whatever you want but there are consequences you must live with if others don’t like what you say or the law disagrees with what is said. Whether one agrees with the right to say or demonstrate free speech is not of importance, what is of importance is the way that one morally feels about a subject. Disrespecting the national anthem by kneeling has not done one positive thing to heal our nation against injustices to minorities. It has fueled and ongoing fight that has continued to divide our great nation. The demonstration defiantly brings attention to the plight of injustices to minorities or to police brutality to minorities but that is all it has done. Without action such as going out in the community and trying to make things better such as simple piece protests this action of kneeling has become a battle of wills between the right to free speech and being disrespectful to our nation Martin Luther King was a great example of displaying simple dignity, respect, and equality to the civil rights movements. His desire for his country to come together was a great contribution to the USA in which he did with respect to others and his country. His avoidance of violence and guidance to respect other was acknowledged and gave way to the movement to aide injustices to minorities. The double standard that exists is inexcusable and should be examined by the NFL. Examples would be when one NFL team wanted to protest the slaughter of police officers they were prohibited by the league but the NFL will allow demonstration for injustices to minorities setting the stage for disrespect and debate among many Americans. That double standard is supported by the NFL in the fact that they support the free speech of their players but not the free speech and opinion of our president. Football is an event that should entertain and not be used for political statements. There are more effective ways for these players who are a big influence on many to respectfully utilize their reputation as a role model.