Is it unpatriotic if athletes do not stand during the national anthem in protest of their beliefs? I will use the controversy around athletic protests as an example of Geertz' theory of anthropology as interpretation. Colin Kaepernick is an American football quarterback who did not stand during the playing of the national anthem during the entire football season for 2016-17. He was released from his role as quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers in 2016. He is currently a free agent and considered one of the best quarterbacks currently in the National Football League (NFL) after taking his team to the superbowl in 2016. Kaepernick recently filed a lawsuit against the NFL for firing him for exercising his first amendment right of freedom of speech. Furthermore, he claims the NFL colluded to prevent him from employment which he believes is a concerted effort on behalf of the NFL owners and association. The
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This has sparked many reactions by many pro athletes. It has also sparked different responses from NFL owners in support of athletes. Stephen Curry, NBA Basketball player stated he was ashamed and didn’t want to attend the championship invitation to the White House. Many other athletes have responded negatively to the President’s response on social media by stating “#Not My President” in response to his statement. Many political and media outlets have expressed that the President has used this to further solidify his political base supporters making this a statement of patriotism. African American politicians and other activists such as the Reverend Al Sharpton believes that the President is using this a platform to further divide the country along racial lines using the majority African American NFL as an example which he vehemently denies it is about
This has sparked many reactions by many pro athletes. It has also sparked different responses from NFL owners in support of athletes. Stephen Curry, NBA Basketball player stated he was ashamed and didn’t want to attend the championship invitation to the White House. Many other athletes have responded negatively to the President’s response on social media by stating “#Not My President” in response to his statement. Many political and media outlets have expressed that the President has used this to further solidify his political base supporters making this a statement of patriotism. African American politicians and other activists such as the Reverend Al Sharpton believes that the President is using this a platform to further divide the country along racial lines using the majority African American NFL as an example which he vehemently denies it is about