Don’t “Take a Knee” Lately, the news has been filled with strongly opinionated editorials discussing a recent protest. The protest is against police brutality and the general racial injustices present in America today, and it was perpetrated by NFL players across the country by kneeling during the National Anthem. This action has been quite controversial; many people argue it is wrong because the National Anthem should be respected, while others reiterate the First Amendment and emphasize the freedom of speech and petition. However, while the concern is valid, voicing it during the National Anthem seems selfish of the NFL players, who are ignoring the sentimental value of the National Anthem.
Thus, while professional football players have …show more content…
Here, we have freedom. Here, we have independence. Here, we have the right to pursue happiness, whatever that may be. The Anthem represents the history of our country and the perseverance of the people who live here; it symbolizes pride in our American identity. As Americans, we ought to stand tall and place our hands over our hearts in veneration of our country and those who have lost their lives so that we, here, may enjoy uncompromised freedom. Compared to other countries around the world, we are beyond blessed to live in such a heavenly sanctuary that is the United States. Kneeling during a time when we are supposed to be thankful for all of these gifts and more is outright rude. It begs the question: If these wealthy, high-life NFL players are so ashamed of the United States, why don’t they just …show more content…
According to PBS, there have been over 1.1 million Americans killed total in all wars that the United States has participated in to this date (Crigger and Santhanam 1). Well over one million people have died so that regular citizens like you and me can enjoy countless freedoms, one of which is the luxury of playing a sport competitively for a living. Without our soldiers, those NFL football players wouldn’t have the opportunity to play. Those who have served or are serving in the military deserve every ounce of respect we can possibly summon in our bodies. The National Anthem is a time to remember the lives sacrificed for the fortune of living in the United States, and anyone who refuses to be proud of our country and all that it has accomplished is selfish, ignorant, and
Thus, while professional football players have …show more content…
Here, we have freedom. Here, we have independence. Here, we have the right to pursue happiness, whatever that may be. The Anthem represents the history of our country and the perseverance of the people who live here; it symbolizes pride in our American identity. As Americans, we ought to stand tall and place our hands over our hearts in veneration of our country and those who have lost their lives so that we, here, may enjoy uncompromised freedom. Compared to other countries around the world, we are beyond blessed to live in such a heavenly sanctuary that is the United States. Kneeling during a time when we are supposed to be thankful for all of these gifts and more is outright rude. It begs the question: If these wealthy, high-life NFL players are so ashamed of the United States, why don’t they just …show more content…
According to PBS, there have been over 1.1 million Americans killed total in all wars that the United States has participated in to this date (Crigger and Santhanam 1). Well over one million people have died so that regular citizens like you and me can enjoy countless freedoms, one of which is the luxury of playing a sport competitively for a living. Without our soldiers, those NFL football players wouldn’t have the opportunity to play. Those who have served or are serving in the military deserve every ounce of respect we can possibly summon in our bodies. The National Anthem is a time to remember the lives sacrificed for the fortune of living in the United States, and anyone who refuses to be proud of our country and all that it has accomplished is selfish, ignorant, and