Colin Kaepernick Controversy

Improved Essays
Recently , Nfl players such as Colin Kaepernick have been kneeling for the national anthem. His reasoning was protesting unarmed black men getting killed by police. Since then a lot of controversy has been going on. He has the right to freedom of speech. He has the right to protest. However, some people may believe that he's disrespecting the country which is false. I believe that kneeling to protest against racial issues is justified. As a U.S citezen you have a right to freedom of speech. In the Constitution it states that our first amendment is "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble,

Related Documents

  • Decent Essays

    Other players in different pro sports are standing up for what they believe in by doing exactly what Kaepernick did; sitting down or kneeling on one knee during the playing of the national anthem.…

    • 256 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Last season, Colin Kaepernick caused a lot of controversy around the world and especially in the National Football League. The controversy was not caused by his play or something off the field. It was caused by his decision to kneel during the National Anthem. Kaepernick knelt during the National Anthem because he felt that African Americans were oppressed by this country, while people without color were being treated less harshly. He did not want to show pride to a country that did not treat every person equally.…

    • 1171 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    A lot of people agreed to what colin said, one week later a few more players joined kaepernick in his act. Today, at least 50 NFL (National Football League) players are kneeling when the national anthem is playing. Colin states that all men should have equal rights, and that he’s not gonna…

    • 645 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    A Shunned Quarterback The first amendment states that we the people have freedom of religion, speech press, assembly and petition. Colin Kaepernick exercised his rights and has since been the subject of much controversy with the NFL. On August 26, 2016, Kaepernick sat down while other players were standing up during the “Star Spangled Banner” played before the game against the Packers. This was an act of protest by Kaepernick, explaining that he will not stand for a flag that oppresses black people and people of color in the United States.…

    • 375 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Is standing for the National-Anthem right or wrong? Well last Sunday over 102 different football players , from different teams in the NFL knelt or sat down for National-Anthem. Many are doing this because they feel like colors are getting treated badly in the United States. President Trump gave a speech about it and said, “ The players should be fired for kneeling.” No matter if it's right or wrong there doing it for a reason, and the reason is to get equality for American Africans.…

    • 330 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    No one is forcing him to stand during the anthem, but the NFL states that “players are encouraged” to do so (NFL.com). Some who support Kaepernick’s protest believe that one of the things The National Anthem stands for is our freedom, therefore it is his choice to decide whether to sit or stand. I acknowledge that it is Kaepernick’s right to decide whether or not he wants to support The National Anthem, but this is not enough of a reason to make his action justifiable. Just because something isn’t illegal, doesn’t mean that it is morally okay to do; an example of this situation is adultery. In around half of the states in The US it is not illegal to cheat on your husband or wife (Freep.com), but most of us would consider this action morally wrong.…

    • 1273 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This is exactly what Colin Kaepernick did before a football game during the playing of the national anthem. All he did was simply kneel. Kneeling for the national anthem has started an absolute controversy nationwide (Refusing). The first time Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the anthem was to protest the rights and police brutality against african americans in the U.S. This occurred on August 26, 2016 and since then has started debates all over the country.…

    • 718 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    National Anthem Protests

    • 406 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Kaepernick's not standing for the National Anthem, influenced other football players and brought more attention to this topic in current times. Colin Kaepernick is a strong believer in what he believes in. By kneeling for the National Anthem, he is protesting…

    • 406 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    The NFL players have every right to take a knee during the nation anthem because they are spreading awareness about the issue of police brutality.…

    • 565 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Colin Kaepernick Argument

    • 820 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Some believe he dishonored those who have fought and died for the freedom America has today. However, Kaepernick’s actions were appropriate because he embarked a peaceful protest. Kaepernick kneeling was a respectful act that was done quietly and showed his right to freedom of speech. In the article Refusing to Stand for the National Anthem: Top 3 Pros and Cons it states, “A letter signed by 35 US veterans states that “Far from disrespecting our troops, there is no finer form of appreciation for our sacrifice than for Americans to enthusiastically exercise their freedom of speech.” (ProCon Page 3)…

    • 820 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Across the country, Americans are in heavy debate about the idea of kneeling for the national anthem. Some feel that kneeling is a form of protest, however, others feel that kneeling is a blatant disregard for authority and an overall disrespect for their country. HEADER One of the most beautiful aspects of the United States is the fact that every citizen has undeniable freedom and rights. One of the most controversial issues that are currently taking place in the United States is the issue regarding NFL and the right to kneel during the national anthem.…

    • 630 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Media has obsessed over his story. Kaepernick stated to NFL media, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” Kapernick used his first amendment right to bring light to the issue of inequality, and he used media to spread that message. Many people believe that not standing up for the playing of the National Anthem is wrong and disrespectful for a person who considers themselves a true American.…

    • 945 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Kaernick Role Model

    • 284 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick became a free agent in 2016. He protested racial injustice and police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem of the 2016 preseason. Colin Kaepernick is still a free agent to this day, many believe that he has not to be picked by another team to play because of his actions. Some have found his kneeling during the national anthem to be disrespectful. There are others who believe what he did was an act of justice.…

    • 284 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Exercising his right to freely express himself, Colin Kaepernick has become one of the most influential and controversial people of our generation. Events such as the NFL players National Anthem protests have shown that our society is becoming more polarized in their own replaced. Over the past decade, our definition of the Freedom of Speech and the first amendment have become variations of its original content. The first amendment is an important factor in change in our country, and individuals such as NFL players with a platform have the potential to influence the masses should have a say for the problems that are facing us today.…

    • 268 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    According to Irving Janes (1972), groupthink occurs when a group makes an irrational decision because of group pressure fostering and the deterioration of ‘mental efficiency, reality testing, and moral judgement” (Irving, Janis, Victims of groupthink, p.9). Social influence is the effect that people have upon the beliefs or behaviors of others (Aaronson, 2004). Both groupthink and social influence theory have a factor in what we see as an ongoing reaction to the silent protest started by Colin Kaepernick in August 2016. In recent news on October 1, 2017 during a game between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers, about 30 of the 49ers players took a knee during the national anthem.…

    • 492 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays