Is Taking a Knee the "Right" Thing to do? 

           Since the minute you were able to make your own decisions, all around you, people encourage you to stand up for what you believe in. Some people will encourage you to stand up within reason, and others no matter the circumstance or consequence. Although these people may mold or influence your beliefs and decisions, you have the final say in what you feel is right and wrong. There is a very controversial topic souring in the media right now. During the national anthem, public sport figures have begun to take a seat or take a knee. This protest began with the 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick.

           On September 1, 2016, Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem before a preseason game. This sparked conversation and debate, but like any good protest, he had followers. Many people argued this stand to be disrespectful and unpatriotic. However, Kaepernick felt he had a justified reason to refuse standing for our country. In Kaepernick’s interviews he stated that he would not show pride for a country which suppresses African Americans and other minority groups. If this wasn’t a reoccurring issue, would Kaepernick have so many people following in his footsteps? Many viewers believed that Kaepernick should have left his political beliefs to his own time and circumstances. And that a public figure should not use his/her publicity to raise awareness for their stand on such a controversial topic. However, if his beliefs and feelings on the topic were so strong, why not use publicity. Kaepernick is getting pummeled in the media for his stand and how he went about it, but who is to tell him his beliefs are wrong. If he is trying to stand up and make a change for something he truly believes in, the press ridiculing him won’t stand in his way. Instead of standing against him, why not stand with him and help change the way the people of the world view minority groups.

            Another NFL player with similar views of Kaepernick is Michael Bennett. Bennett is a defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks. He has been vocally supportive of Kaepernick and soon, he sits on the bench during the anthem as a way to protest racial inequality. Michael Bennett had his own experience on August 27, 2017 when he was tackled and put in handcuffs outside of a casino. Bennett heard gun shots in the casino and he soon ran out of the building where police officers singled him out due to him being a running, “suspicious” black man. Bennett’s story has gotten negative reviews. The press believes he is simply seeking attention. Instead of publicizing that Bennett is seeking attention, if the press put themselves in his shoes, they could better understand his view and story.

              Although for decades, public figures such as Kaepernick and Bennett have been told to avoid controversy, standing up for your country and rights of the citizens in it can’t go without a voice. As long as their stand was pure and justifiable, there is no reason to ridicule them for “seeking attention”. Eventually social media posts aren’t enough to spread the word, so they took the opportunity they saw fit to make a change for the better. Although, many people disagree with Bennett’s and Kaepernick’s point of view, there are citizens who suffer from inequality in everyday situations. It was in fact, the right thing to do for Kaepernick to start this protest and Bennett to continue it when he felt it was right. When men fight for our country, it is because they believe it is the “right” thing to do with their time and life. They have fought for equality, yet it is something we still do not have. Despite their social conflicts, they have the support of many Americans in the midst of their stand. Making a stand for what you deeply believe in, no matter the consequences, is in fact, the right thing to do.    

Michael Bennett tackled to the ground

Colin Kaepernick defending his protest