Protests started by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick have surfaced social media with the the hashtag #TakeTheKnee, as a challenge towards the government by demonstrating the player’s disapproval against state acts/problems.
Kaepernick has been kneeling during the national anthem before, since 2016. Since then, his actions have gained hundreds of views and more pledgers. Football teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars stated to their fans, “Our team and the National Football League reflects forms-race, faith, our views and our goals.”
As the Jaguars express their support towards the movement, celebrities and athletes of all sports stand for one purpose. One of many would be, Rapper/songwriter J.Cole who took to twitter his admiration for the players that are taking a knee, or to resolve obvious problems that are contrary towards the belief of the flag. Although the protest is gaining supporters, President Trump isn’t one.
God bless every player that finds courage to kneel today. But the real power comes from you deciding to not watch.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL,or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
President Trump viewed this movement as a disrespect to our country and took it as a personal offense. The protest is said to be unpatriotic because it disrespects those who have served to protect the U.S.
Trump expressed his distraught to his 20.5 million followers on a twitter rant, claiming that by not respecting our nation to stand for the national anthem that Kaepernick is “fired” from the NFL. Not only is Trump backlashing NFL teams with tweets, but has also tried creating a hashtag opposing the #TakeTheKnee (#StandForOurAnthem).
…our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
Kaepernick has taken a “stand” to assert that his opposition is against the way black people are treated due to the police brutality. As the popularity of the issue continues to grow, many questions for our President have risen. Trump remained silent during the Charlottesville protest that included violence and death of black civilians from white supremacist. Ironically, he raises his voice when people of color see it as injustice.
“A protest not causing any harm to civilian, rattles the President but one with the death of innocents leaves him quiet,” says a sophomore attending Miami Lakes Educational Center.
Several NFL team owners stand with their team such as the Stephen M. Ross from the Miami Dolphins, but other owners find this an act of disgrace.
“Football and politics don’t mix easily,” the Cincinnati Bengals stated Monday to the New York Times.
The question is whether or not the owners are opposed to such protest lies between whether they don’t agree with the action or the fact that the amount of zealous football fans determine the paycheck for the team.
Kenneth Harvard, a state legislator in Louisiana, has brought up the idea of taking millions away in subsidies from the New Orleans Saints since players have been allowed to protest.
Ratings for NFL football are way down except before game starts, when people tune in to see whether or not our country will be disrespected!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 26, 2017
If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
The issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race. It is about respect for our Country, Flag and National Anthem. NFL must respect this!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2017
The issue, however, isn’t about the amount of money a team receives due to their viewers because of a protest, but the reason behind such a movement. Kaepernick started kneeling a year ago and since then has given a voice to the black community.
NFL players aren’t the only one’s using their platforms to voice an issue, as basketball teams have followed suit.
The Miami Heat took to twitter a picture of the members locked in together by the arms, to which Coach Spoelstra states, “We want our players to absolutely have a voice… and we encourage our guys to express themselves in the right way.”
The #TakeTheKnee protest isn’t an act against our government but a movement exercising our first amendment, to bring awareness to the police brutality upon the black community.
https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/914621273136910336
