It is expected for an American to stand with their hand over their heart when the “Star Spangled Banner” is played to show respect for the flag and what it stands for. To some, that flag symbolizes freedom and power and life. To others, that flag symbolizes centuries of oppression and brutality. For someone who feels that that is what the flag represents, should they be required to stand for it? Interpretation of our First Amendment indicates that they do not have to, as every American is guaranteed the right to free speech and expression.

    Yet, despite this supposed guarantee, Colin Kaepernick, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, has been assailed with tremendous amounts of criticism for exercising his right.  A mixed-race man with African-American heritage, Kaepernick sat for the national anthem to protest police brutality and the unfair treatment of people of color in the United States. The act of sitting evolved into kneeling as his way of showing respect for veterans and members of the military, while the critical assaults continue.  The matter has grown more prominent with time and with President Trump’s aggressive response to the protest in which he called kneeling players “sons of b*****s” who should be fired immediately. Since the President’s outburst,  many NFL players and teams have come out in support of Kaepernick, making statements and “taking a knee” on the field in solidarity. But Kaepernick is still unemployed.

    Those who disagree with Kaepernick’s protest say that it is disrespectful to America, to its flag, to its people, to its veterans and its military. But is it really disrespectful to the military, the very people who fought for the Constitutional rights of the American people, which include the right to free speech and free expression? Colin Kaepernick, well within the confines of the law, exercised his freedom to peacefully protest by kneeling during the national anthem. He was protesting the treatment of people of color in this country and police brutality which is often defended by politicians. And he has every right to do so. If he wanted to make a statement in a legal, peaceful way, he did so effectively.

    As far as I’m concerned we shouldn’t even be questioning Kaepernick’s right to protest.  We should instead be focusing on why he’s protesting. He’s bringing attention to the very real issue of racism in this country and he not only deserves but needs this chance to speak about it. People are brutalizing and killing black Americans in the name of America and her flag. So, to Kaepernick, the American flag doesn’t represent freedom. It represents the centuries of violence and prejudice against his people.

    The person who more so than any other American should be behind him is the President; the person who is supposed to champion of our rights. As the “taking a knee’ becomes the protest of choice on pro ball fields across the nation this fall, it may become clear that maybe, just maybe, Kaepernick isn’t the bad guy.