Flynn 1
Riley Flynn
Dr. Harrison
Expository Writing
9 October 2017
Colin Kapernick, a National Football League Quarterback for the San Francisco 49’ers, on August 26, 2016 knelt during the playing of the National Anthem triggering a fierce debate pitting patriotism against the rights granted in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Americans from the poorest to richest, uneducated to academia, veterans to pacifists, the press to politicians engaged in an examination of their own values and views as they deliberated over his action. Did Kapernick’s action represent a peaceful protest, well within his rights, or simply an unpatriotic disrespect of the institution of our flag and anthem? Kapernick stated his choice to take …show more content…
It’s an attitude.” (Eric Zorn, 2) which expresses the view that you can kneel during the anthem and still be a patriotic American. Exercising the First Amendment right to peaceful protest simply guarantees that the injustices that exist will be moved to the public view and does not show disrespect to anyone or anything according to Eric Zorn in his article “Refusing to stand for the National Anthem is also a patriotic act.” Luke Bretherton, in his article, “Taking a knee has always been a sign of reverence, not disrespect”, states that kneeling biblically and historically signifies a sign of respect. Jesus kneels the night before his crucifixion, coaches ask players to take a knee, you kneel when receiving a blessing or proposing marriage. Kneeling opens the door to a new relationship, not …show more content…
Statistics prove the intensity of emotion by showing that support or dissent follows along the lines of race with “forty-nine percent say that protesting players are wrong, with forty- three percent think the protest is right”(CNN Poll). Among the players “fifty-nine percent of white players think protesting is wrong, but eighty-two percent of blacks say to protest is correct” (CNN Poll). These statistics easily demonstrates the exact reason for the original protests. Freedom of speech is a guaranteed American right that many have fought and laid down their lives for. Americans have the ability to openly debate, and express opposing views because of those who sacrificed. Whatever side you find yourself on in this issue, respect for the perspectives and convictions of the opposite side will indicate the understanding of the concept of freedom the forefathers
Riley Flynn
Dr. Harrison
Expository Writing
9 October 2017
Colin Kapernick, a National Football League Quarterback for the San Francisco 49’ers, on August 26, 2016 knelt during the playing of the National Anthem triggering a fierce debate pitting patriotism against the rights granted in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Americans from the poorest to richest, uneducated to academia, veterans to pacifists, the press to politicians engaged in an examination of their own values and views as they deliberated over his action. Did Kapernick’s action represent a peaceful protest, well within his rights, or simply an unpatriotic disrespect of the institution of our flag and anthem? Kapernick stated his choice to take …show more content…
It’s an attitude.” (Eric Zorn, 2) which expresses the view that you can kneel during the anthem and still be a patriotic American. Exercising the First Amendment right to peaceful protest simply guarantees that the injustices that exist will be moved to the public view and does not show disrespect to anyone or anything according to Eric Zorn in his article “Refusing to stand for the National Anthem is also a patriotic act.” Luke Bretherton, in his article, “Taking a knee has always been a sign of reverence, not disrespect”, states that kneeling biblically and historically signifies a sign of respect. Jesus kneels the night before his crucifixion, coaches ask players to take a knee, you kneel when receiving a blessing or proposing marriage. Kneeling opens the door to a new relationship, not …show more content…
Statistics prove the intensity of emotion by showing that support or dissent follows along the lines of race with “forty-nine percent say that protesting players are wrong, with forty- three percent think the protest is right”(CNN Poll). Among the players “fifty-nine percent of white players think protesting is wrong, but eighty-two percent of blacks say to protest is correct” (CNN Poll). These statistics easily demonstrates the exact reason for the original protests. Freedom of speech is a guaranteed American right that many have fought and laid down their lives for. Americans have the ability to openly debate, and express opposing views because of those who sacrificed. Whatever side you find yourself on in this issue, respect for the perspectives and convictions of the opposite side will indicate the understanding of the concept of freedom the forefathers