Persuasive Essay On National Anthem

Early into the 2017 NFL season some players refused to stand for the national anthem and in doing so it sparked various kinds of controversy. This has been happening since 2016, some athletes have been silently protesting police brutality and racial inequality during the playing of the U.S. national anthem. The demonstrations have culminated mixed reactions. The opposing side has stated that the protests are unpatriotic and disrespectful of the U.S. flag and military. The protests began after San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat and then kneeled during the anthem. On September 24, the NFL protests became more widespread when over 200 players sat or kneeled in response to Trump's calling for owners to fire the protesting players. Some players stood with locked arms, some knelt and some refused to even go on the field while the Star-Spangled Banner was playing. America is very divided on the issue, some football fans booed the players for not standing and some cheered them on. But who is the judge of whats a rightful freedom and what’s just plain disrespectful. This relates to the government by, it’s a direct violation of our first amendment right, freedom of expression. I agree with …show more content…
Another thing that could happen and is already starting to happen is people could boycott the NFL all together for their displays of disrespect. In the future maybe the players that are refusing to stand will not get signed for next years season. Lastly I think that athletes will continue to protest but I definitely know that the reason for the protest has changed slightly. When Kaepernick sat during the national anthem in 2016, he made it known that he was protesting oppression and brutality. Once Trump got involved it stired more emotions and now the players are “protesting” simply to show their unity as a