On a seemingly ordinary Sunday, I found myself engrossed in news about the NFL games, despite my lack of interest in football. The catalyst? A rally in Alabama where the President chose to lash out at players peacefully protesting racial injustice and police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem. “Get that son of a gun off the field right now, he’s fired!” he declared, urging NFL owners to respond to the players’ actions. Thankfully, the NFL did not echo his sentiments.
Contrary to popular belief, standing for the national anthem is not a requirement. That Sunday, a greater number of players chose to kneel than before, and the movement, amplified by the hashtag #TakeAKnee, gained momentum on social media, allowing fans and non-athletes alike to show solidarity.
Initially, I wasn’t a fan of Jordan Williams, but his commitment to activism has changed my perspective. With about 75% of the NFL being black, the societal issues affecting the black community resonate within the league itself. Recently, a player named Marcus Reed shared a harrowing experience of being held at gunpoint by police in Las Vegas. Despite his fame and wealth, he is still perceived as just another black man facing the systemic racism plaguing many communities of color.
Players kneeling are protesting the unjust killings of innocent individuals, targeted solely because of their skin color, by those sworn to protect them. The tragic reality is that for many black Americans, their mere existence is often seen as a threat.
Some argue that athletes should “stick to sports.” However, these are men commodified by predominantly white team owners, as if the same societal issues don’t affect them. Athletes are not exempt from the struggles that impact everyday citizens; they simply earn more money. Regardless of their fame, their skin color remains unchanged.
Marcus Reed noted that once police recognized him, their attitude shifted. Yet, his initial treatment was solely based on his race: “Las Vegas officers pointed guns at me for nothing more than being a black man in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Reed stated. This isn’t the first instance of athletes leveraging their platforms for social justice. Jackie Robinson spoke out against racial inequities after breaking baseball’s color barrier, while Muhammad Ali forfeited his titles rather than fight in the Vietnam War. Tommie Smith and John Carlos famously raised their fists in protest during the 1968 Olympics, knowing the risks involved. It’s disheartening that, in 2017, athletes are still fighting the same battles.
So, why take a knee? Kneeling is a peaceful form of protest that evokes powerful imagery reminiscent of the Civil Rights Movement. Martin Luther King Jr. was photographed kneeling with fellow activists before the Selma march. Doing so during the national anthem is particularly impactful, as it highlights the contradiction between the song’s representation of America and the realities faced by its black citizens.
These athletes command one of the largest international platforms available. For instance, a game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Baltimore Ravens was held at Wembley Stadium in England. They are beginning to realize that their on-field actions can spark significant conversations and change.
The right to protest is protected under the First Amendment. It is akin to the revolutionary acts of citizens in 1776, but because those patriots were white, their actions are celebrated. Kneeling during the national anthem is not an affront to American values; it exemplifies the core principles upon which this nation was founded. Patriotism, when it aligns with white American interests, is accepted, but the narrative is shifting. Athletes should continue to take a knee, and more supporters will join them, resisting the status quo and the systems that uphold it.
You may not choose to kneel, but it’s crucial to support and understand those who do. For those interested in related topics such as home insemination, check out our post on the at-home insemination kit.
In conclusion, the kneeling movement is a vital form of expression against racial injustice and is rooted in the struggle for equality that has persisted throughout American history.