Colin Kaepernick's Argument Analysis

Improved Essays
Through recent events, it seems neither the Constitution nor racial equality have been large concerns for the government, or specifically, President Trump. Colin Kaepernick’s stand for police brutality against blacks is about race, regardless of what President Trump says. According to The Huffington Post, the protest began to help others see the racial inequality still present in society, as evident by police brutality against people of color (Brooks). This protest is clearly nonviolent, as all the supporters simply take a knee during the national anthem. Yet, Trump calls on NFL owners to fire these very athletes, despite the fact that these players still do their job. This protest is not about dishonoring the nation and those who have risked

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    2017 is an intriguing year for the Redskins for a multitude of reasons. Kirk Cousins now is in the midst of a long-term contract negotiation, his top two wide receivers left via free agency, the Redskins defense is coming off a historically bad season, the new defensive coordinator Greg Manusky along with the team’s new additions is having positive reviews so far this off-season, and the front office is fresh out of a messy divorce with their former general manager Scot McCloughan and made an in-house replacement with Doug Williams under a different title. All this to say, what happens in 2017 is of paramount importance, and can shape the near future of the organization. There are a few Redskins who are worth noting that will be a key cog in determining the outcome of not only the season, but how their future in the nation’s capital.…

    • 520 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This captain has been playing in NFL for roughly five years, so why is his name just starting to come up now? Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, caused an abundance of controversy after he sat during the national anthem, just minutes before kickoff of a preseason game. After recent events, a new hashtag has popped up on many social media platforms called ‘#blacklivesmatter.’ When asked if he was sitting to support this topic, Kaepernick responded with, “ I am not going to stand to show pride for a country that oppresses black people.”…

    • 403 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    In the opinion article, “Colin Kaepernick Protest Has 49ers Fans Burning Their Jerseys,” Cindy Boren of the Washington Post writes that Kaepernick’s choice to not stand for “The Star-Spangled Banner” sparked an uproar of controversy amongst the 49ers fans. Many fans, his teammates, and the NFL condoned his choice of action and explained that he had done nothing wrong. On the other hand, other fans voiced their opinions that he should get out of the country or show his respects if he will not stand for the national anthem. Fans who disagreed with Kaepernick’s actions showed their outrage through setting their jerseys on fire that had his number on it. They were disgusted by him not standing for the anthem and showing his pride in the United…

    • 180 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    With tensions running between President Donald Trump and NFL players, an action such as the protest by Vice Pence can cause an uproar. Author Jemar Tisby, a writer for the Reformed African American Network, expresses his thoughts about the actions of Vice President Mike Pence in the article titled “Pence’s Stunt Further Inflames The Nation,” published on October 9TH, 2017 on CNN.com. He argues that rather than uniting a divided nation, Vice President Mike Pence makes matters worse by exiting an NFL stadium in a planned protest. Overall, Tisby’s main argument is very powerful and while he does not use any specific facts or statistics, he forms credibility by providing specific examples and logical, reasonable explanations.…

    • 603 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Those who think Kaepernick kneeled to disrespect the flag, genuinely don’t comprehend the purpose. Over the years, many African Americans have been murdered, and didn’t find justice. Statistics show that nationwide, police shot and killed 492 people in the first six months of this year (Jenkins, Sullivan, Tate, Thebault, “Number of Fatal Shootings”). This article also states that twenty-seven unarmed people were fatally shot. On February 12, 2012, teenager Trayvon Martin was shot and killed.…

    • 321 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent 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

    Ethan Hackney Professor Aguailar ENGL V01A October 5, 2017 ENGL V01A Midterm NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the National Anthem to protest the mistreatment of African Americans has generated a good deal of controversy: some claim that the act of kneeling is a sign of disrespect and feel that Colin is not only insulting America, but also insulting the many soldiers who have died for this country, on the other hand many believe that Kaepernick’s kneel was not only a proper form of Non-violent protest, but actually a sign of reverence rather than disrespect. More NFL players have copied Kaepernick’s example in the last year, and emotions have run high on both sides of the issue, even generating a response from President…

    • 1356 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The playing of the National Anthem is over a century long tradition, that takes place prior to sporting events. In the United States, it is commonly expected of members in the audience to stand and remove their hats. Colin Kaepernick, second string quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, decided to break the tradition of standing during the singing of the national anthem during their first three preseason games, going unnoticed by media until the third. I will begin by explaining how Kaepernick is going against a national tradition that intends to support the United States. Then, I will show how Kaepernick’s protest is not changing the Black Lives Matter movement, and how it is causing more conflicts than it is resolving.…

    • 1273 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Standing for the national anthem is merely an obligation for some while others symbolize and associate it with the sacrifices of the lives lost men and women in service, have put in creating the country we live in. As for Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback of the 49ers, standing for the national anthem represents the idea that the individual takes pride in their country. And, so, Kaepernick chose to “take a stand by kneeling” (Witts) to express his beliefs, create awareness, and protest (Fig. 1). However, his message was misinterpreted by many viewers and took it as him disrespecting veterans and their service to this country. This misinterpretation can be explained by Stuart Hall’s circuit model, a cycle that starts with production and continues to circulation, consumption, and reproduction.…

    • 1489 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the year of 2016 injustices still exist like the murders of many black men by police officers that have gone unpunished, and these injustices are the one’s Colin Kaepernick is shedding light onto with his privilege of being a famous football player and refusing to stand for the national anthem. After the night of his defiant act he declared, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” to the NFL Network(Carpenter). His criticism of the United States justice is alike to the criticism that Frederick Douglass throws when he talks about when slaves were…

    • 1113 Words
    • 5 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
  • 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

    It has become a controversial topic amongst Americans and has derived many negative reactions from the public; just like many of its citizens, the United States’ president, Donald Trump, has regarded the act of kneeling during the national anthem a personal attack to the country and even suggested he (Kaepernick) can “find another country to call home.” Countless people have enforced similar actions, but his stand against racial injustice isn’t unnationalistic like many Americans believe it to be. The article mentions that Kaepernick, like many of the athletes participating in this protest, is showing his appreciation for the United States by exercising his freedom of speech to speak against something that is morally wrong. It can be agreed that the purpose of kneeling is not meant to be taken as a personal attack against our nation, but more so to widely express and rise against the violation of the citizens’ humane…

    • 1130 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Colin Kaepernick Argument

    • 820 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Many supported his actions while other showed nothing but hate against him. Colin Kaepernick’s actions were appropriate because he refused to stand for racial injustice, embarked a peaceful protest, and had support from the others. Colin Kaepernick’s actions were appropriate because he refused to stand for racial injustice.…

    • 820 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In a year filled with one shocking and dominating media story after the other; from Donald Trump's’ election and the Russia Scandal to #MeToo, one narrative has become a surprising fixture in American popular culture and media: Colin Kaepernick's protest of police brutality during the National Anthem. Although it has been almost 18 months since the former college standout quarterback and GQ magazines 2017 Citizen of the Year, took his last snap in the National Football League, his iconic protest has taken on a life of its own. The kneeling has evolved from symbolic action to a prominent aspect of African Americans’ modern struggle for equality by starting a national dialogue that is still ongoing. This prominence has also made Kaepernick a…

    • 1087 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays