The flag represents freedom and justice and those who are being oppressed feel as though these certain rights are being taken away and that is why it is okay for someone to kneel during the National Anthem. While many people believe that kneeling during the National Anthem is wrong and is disrespectful to the country’s ideals, what many Americans do not realize is that if they look past their beliefs and try
It is clear to see that flag burning causes tension, good tension as MLK would call it, that causes attention to be drawn to a topic and forces people to acknowledge the problem. Destroying the American flag is a powerful method of protest that says “This flag is useless because America is not what it is supposed to stand
Symbols mean a lot, and when one represents a whole country a lot of controversy can surround that symbol; In this case, the flag of the United States is an important symbol that stands for many things. Some people put the flag of the United States on a pedestal, they look up to the flag, and value it, so when someone desecrates the flag they get infuriated. On the other hand, some people see the flag as a symbol of our freedom that supports the First Amendment which allows us to disrespect the flag if we want to. For many years controversy has surrounded flag desecration and one of the most famous cases surrounding the topic would be Texas v. Johnson (1989):
The law states that is freedom of speech to burn our American Flag, but how is stomping and burning the symbol of this nation where our freedom of speech should be. Most do it out of anger toward our country, but why do they have to take such drastic measures to show their anger. Wattad stated” grant the flag special respect.” ( 1, 2008) It's not saying take away freedom of speech just grant something that represents what our soldiers are fighting for special respect.
This action caused an upset among students. Some students are in conflict on how to feel with the demonstration. People should not be disrespecting the flag for any
This topic is of great importance because, as the United State, we are fighting an unsolvable issue of misinterpretation. There is no correct answer to this, but rather highly supported opinions. As Texas v. Johnson and precedent court cases show, decisions made on this subject are never going to please everyone. If desecration of the American flag were to become an illegal act, a great amount of citizens believe that an abundance of people would begin to act out in anger, and in violation of their constitutional rights. Therefore, many americans believe and support the right that is proofed in Supreme Court cases and in the Constitution’s first amendment, to desecrate the American
As I recited the pledge of allegiance every day in school, I never really took into consideration what the United States stands for to me. I never acknowledged how much the flag means to our country. The United States flag is a symbol of freedom to all who live here. It shows how we are free to do what we please.
Athletes sometimes silently protest to make changes to what they believe is wrong. The Washington Post published an article called,’The athlete as agent of change’ which discusses stories about athletes kneeling or facing away from the flag during the national anthem. For example,”... Toni Smith, the then 21-year old senior guard on the Manhattan College women’s basketball team who expressed her opposition to the Iraq War in 2003 by turning her back on the flag.” Toni Smith expresses her belief that she does not want the United States to go to war with Iraq because she thinks it is wrong.
Individuals feel that no problems exist about racial equality or social injustices. Some argue that protesting the national anthem is like protesting the country and our veterans. Kneeling is not about disrespecting the military or the veterans. It is about trying to get the country, people in government, to open their eyes to all of the turmoil going on around the world. People are distraught, upset and sick of the violence, police brutality, social and racial injustices going on.
Steven Sternberg Mrs. Burns English 1 CP 1 March, 2018 The Flag Protest “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color” (Kaepernick, Colin). The flag protest has been a protest existing for a long time but, recently sparked lots of controversy. Although kneeling during the national anthem may seem disrespectful are often seen as a disrespect to the flag and troops, a inefficient way to promote a cause, and anger many people in shows division in the country, it can show that the ideals of freedom is justified, it generates conversation and awareness about topic, and is a legal form of peaceful protest.
Everyone should show respect for our country wether they want to or not. Someone needs to stand up and do something about this. The National Football League thinks that it is alright to kneel during the National Anthem because they say there not disrespecting the veterans that proudly stand up to fight for our country they kneel because of Police officers treating blacks bad and to protest against the NFL’s owners and Mr. Trump. But kneeling during the National Anthem is rude and disrespectful because its meant to show respect for the people who fight for our country and who lost there lives for us to save
Kneeling during the national anthem is completely irrelevant to the problem trying to be addressed. It only has caused disruption and arguments. People supporting the cause believe they are being treated unfairly in some way, but if you ask anyone, any group, or minority, they’re going to tell you how they’re being treated
Being at an NFL game was not the correct time or place to hold a silent protest, and there are people that fight to give Americans the freedoms and rights that they have, so why disrespect those who risk their lives for the USA. It may be one simple act of protest, but not only does it disrespect those fighting but their family and friends too. Like every situation in life, there are two sides to every story, both sides of this one have reasonable arguments. In conclusion, most people frown upon any type of act to disrespect those who give them their freedoms and rights, as well as those who’s duty is to keep communities
Finally, no I do not believe that the flag is a symbol of hatred or racism, but I do believe that some individuals do believe that, that’s what the whole history of the flag is based on. I believe that every individual should get solid facts/proof/knowledge on the topic and actually know what is going on, instead of believing everything that they hear and or see on the internet, TV, radio, ect… We already have enough problems in this world as it is. Know what you’re talking about and about your history before you open your mouth and make things an extremely bigger problem than it should
When the Star Spangled Banner plays during any event, people decide to stand up and show their dignity. Recently in the NFL many players have decided to take a knee during the playing of the anthem. When the national anthem plays, wherever you are, people should stand up and show their respect. Kneeling during the playing of the national anthem is a disrespect to our country. President Donald Trump stated, “It’s important that NFL players stand for our national anthem next game.