The Star-Spangled Banner

The vivid, rainbow flags, waving in the brisk San Francisco air, scream, “We are proud”. Rainbows painting the window of every cafe, supermarket, and store alike are delicately scattered with tiny raindrops that fell from the open, murky sky above. The atmosphere is bombarded with the sense of unity, but not only is the air flooded with the symbol of pride, but the streets too. Crosswalks, jaded with the paint of red, orange, green, and blue as pedestrians walk along, chatting with their…

One of the hot topics in the NFL off season is players getting caught doing stupid things on social media. More often than not it's a player or coach being filmed doing some form of illegal narcotic. While the NFL is clear on its recreational drug policy the one "drug" that players seem to have the most trouble with is weed. It's legal in some NFL cities but that doesn't make it ok with the NFL. So what's an NFL player who wants to get his smoke on to do? Miko chimed in: “Football players,…

Is Protest Patriotic? When most people disagree with something big going on, they tend to keep it to themself. This was not the case for the protesters in the Vietnam War and in March for Our Lives. Much like the protesters in the Vietnam War, March for Our Lives campaigns are working on making America a better place. It is led by four young adults by the name of Emma Gonzalez, Jacklyn Corin, David Hogg, and Cameron Kasky. There are many ways to go about protesting, but protests are most…

The fourth of July is a day for the adoption of the Declaration of Independance. Why do we celebrate 4th of July? Americans celebrate the fourth of July each year to show respect for its separation from England. The 4th of July is an important date. Let me explain why it’s important and why we celebrate it. Without the important meaning of the date we would be suffering. We would have someone else telling us what to do, where and how to live, and what to wear. That obviously is not the American…

The Pledge of Allegiance to school children is merely another part of their morning. While it does unify Americans under one flag and one promise, it actually excludes certain groups of people, specifically those who are not members of the monotheistic religion the nation was founded with: Christianity. Fortunately, this could be solved by revising the pledge. However, should the pledge be recited at all? The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, who actually did not…

Many athletes were accused of “being traitors” or being a “disgrace to the country” for either turning their backs or kneeling down although people have to stand and put their right arm across their chest. Colin Kaepernick took a knee to police brutality, 21 year old Toni Smith turned her back to the flag because she was expressing herself to the war in Iraq in 2003. These athletes expressed their thoughts on many things. Athletes should be able to take a knee during the National Anthem, because…

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes” Marcel Proust. Through this quote discovery could defined as manifold notion, which comprises exploring something for the first time or rediscovering something that has been faded, forgotten or concealed. People may experience different types of discovery which could be sudden and unexpected. However it may affect them physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. This response will focus…

Americans are like pennies deteriorating in a fountain of fabrication wanting to be freed once again. The copper zinc metal that once circulate in currencies all over the world has convey the impression of disoriented value. Agnate to the pennies, lives of many Americans are no longer priceless. Citizens who bend their backs for the free world are reduced to specks that are later forgotten in this great cosmos. America depends on it foundation for stability. But in the illustration the value of…

The Place at the Table event focused on the NFL Boycott and discussed the power of Colin Kaepernick’s campaign, in aspects ranging from his effectiveness, and the purpose of his message. Stemming from an outrage to police brutality and a desire to create a voice for the voiceless, Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the National Anthem at his NFL games. Although it has cost him his career, Mr. Kaepernick continues to spread awareness and donate money to community projects that work to provide…

Interpretation of Symbols In this reflection, I will address the question of whether kneeling during the American national anthem/US flag a priori to National Football League games should be exercised by professional athletes in regards to spreading awareness of inequality in America. The act of kneeling as a protest falls perfect in expressing disagreement on a certain issue in a democratic state. The controversy of kneeling during the national anthem/US flag all began when NFL quarterback…