The flag and the national anthem are sacred because they represent the country’s struggle for and acquisition of freedom. The USA’s anthem symbolizes the country’s culture, but its interpretations by different people can “shape individuals’ ideals and values” (Andrea and Sheffield-Hayes 51). In particular, the American anthem represents the strive for equality for all citizens and the endeavor to put an end to slavery and wars. However, Kaepernick’s message about the representation is that instead of being a “moral promise,” is it a “moral failure” (“The Kneel”). Athletes may choose to participate or not participate in kneeling during the anthem as a form of protest based on the First Amendment of the US Constitution granting the freedom of speech to all citizens (Edelman 8). Thus, if an athlete considers that his feelings of a US citizen are being violated, they may choose to show their attitude to the situation in such a silent protest as kneeling instead of standing during the anthem.
Some of the reactions to Kaepernick’s actions are extreme because people believe that the athlete’s reaction to the political and social situation in the country has nothing to do with the anthem (“The Kneel”). It would be wrong to say that there is a “proper” time or place for engaging in collective action since it is impossible to predict the outcomes of such action. However, there is some significance of the protests taking place at sporting events since there are many observers, whose reaction to the social issue may change if the most renowned sportspeople show their opinion.
The concerns raised by Kaepernick are not new, the most prominent one being the protest against racial injustice expressed by two African American sprinters during the 1968 Summer Olympics (Edelman 4). However, the protests are sparkling much attention at present because much attention is drawn to it in social media and even in politics, with President Trump as one of the most ardent opponents of Kaepernick’s actions (“The Kneel”).
Empathy plays a crucial role in helping people understand the oppression at the center of the protests. Many citizens may not pay sufficient attention to social issues since they do not touch them directly. However, when they see that their favorite athlete (or any important figure in some other sphere) is hurt by the events and when they hear his point of view, their attitude is likely to change. At this day and age, individuals are more empathetic due to the emergence of many physical and social media movements, which raises awareness and increases the chances for the supportive and caring treatment of others.
To help address public’s concerns about crucial social issues, people could engage in peaceful movements aimed at increasing the recognition of serious problems existing in societies. Also, they could make speeches and announcements not directly during some grand events so that no patriotic citizen could be disturbed. Instead, the latter might join the movement if it does not hurt their feelings. However, the current state of race relations in the USA is far from being favorable. Too many cases of violence against Black people indicate that the values that the anthem proclaims are not being cherished by all citizens. The controversy fits into the broader discussions about the First Amendment right to free speech since the right is violated in many cases. Kaepernick’s situation is one of the most pronounced examples: he has been fired and has not been able to find a job because of his social stand.
Works Cited
Andrea, Pauline A., and Elizabeth Sheffield-Hayes. “America’s Greatness Compromised: The “Start-Spangled Banner” as a Symbol of Nationalism, Identity, and Division.” Pro Football and the Proliferation of Protest: Anthem Posture in a Divided America, edited by Stephen D. Perry, Lexington Books, 2019, pp. 45-68.
Edelman, Marc. “Standing to Kneel: Analyzing NFL Players’ Freedom to Protest During the Playing of the U.S. National Anthem.” Fordham Law Review Online, vol. 86, pp. 1-15.
“The Kneel: The Colin Kaepernick Story.”YouTube, uploaded by Noah Rubin. 2017, Web.