Colin Kaepernicks Protest Analysis

In order to achieve true freedom one must discover that you can break unjust laws through peaceful protest. In “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and “The Speech at The March Washington” by Josephine Baker each article passionately argues about the disadvantages of the black community, the equality and power of education. We must learn to act with patients and not guns we must protect are self’s with a pen and paper not violence. Dr. King once4 said “Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon. It is unique in history which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals”.

In August 2016, was Kaepernick’s first time sitting on the bench during the National Anthem. He stated, “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 has every right to exercise his right to freedom of speech, and express his views on the challenges the nation is facing as far as racism, violence, and poverty. Colin Kaepernick made around $11.9 million in the year of 2016. This should in no way disqualify him from expressing his opinion and trying to make a change. However, I believe he isn’t doing his best to be the change he wants to see in the world. Although he had shared how generous he was to children with heart disease, however, there wasn’t much said about his generosity to help impoverished people. Even though it isn’t his responsibility to take care of those who are suffering from poverty or those who deal with racism, but if he wants to relieve oppression, he

Americans have been conducting peaceful demonstrations for years. These demonstrations are almost always held in protest of an important cause. Sports figures also protest for different causes they feel strongly about. However, because they are in the spotlight, sometimes these public figures are not treated equally when they try to voice their opinion about a cause. One such cause is the correct tribute to our country's song. As a result, they are often punished for openly expressing themselves. Consequently, sports figures, such as professional athletes, should not be penalized when some choose not to stand for the National Anthem.

For instance, Eric Reid wrote in his article “Eric Reid: Why Colin Kaepernick and I Decided to Take a Knee” that he “remember[ed] thinking our posture was like a flag flown at half-mast to mark a tragedy” (Reid). Clearly, the protesters were not intentionally attempting to be disrespectful and view their actions as respectful, however, that does not change how they are viewed by others. According to Quin Hillyer, they should not “denigrate the symbols of a nation of good people” (Hillyer). Although the protesters feel they are being respectful they need to realize that from the opposite point of view their actions appear quite disrespectful (Hillyer). In addition, Eric also states that “we . . . live in a fair and free society, which includes the right to speak out in protest” (Reid). Eric’s statement is entirely true, which means that those who disagree with a protest have the right to speak out as well. Freedom of speech and protest works both ways which means I, and many other Americans, have the right to disagree with the protesters (Reid).

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.

A controversial topic currently circulating throughout the media and society, is professional athletes kneeling during the National Anthem. In my opinion, this is a completely useless, unnecessary action done just for attention.

“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.

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. This experience shows how her value was that she probably thought they were innocent and knew that she doesn’t want innocent citizens to get injured or killed. This could have been an experience other people have viewed and changed their opinion on how they viewed the Iraq

The late twentieth century is the pinnacle of civil rights movements in the United States of America. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of many who held America’s hand into this time of racial metamorphosis, he was one of the main leaders of the Civil Rights until his tragic and violent assassination. To venerate the marking of ten years since King’s death, Cesar Chavez-- a labor union organizer and civil rights leader-- continues to uphold/argue King’s ideals of peaceful protest in this newspaper article by incorporating distinctive diction, alongside contrast and then progresses to reason with the morality and beliefs of the general american populace.

“It is the Soldier, not the minister, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the Soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to protest. It is the Soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the Soldier, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote. It is the Soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag. And whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.” Flag of USA is really important to US soldiers. Not showing respect to US flag may mean disrespecting US Army. Therefore, lots of people in America state that Colin Kaepernick, quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, shouldn’t make his protest in that manner. In contrast, Colin Kaepernick should have protested in his manner for the following reasons.

In “MLK Freedom Rides Speech” MLK argues that we should always use peaceful methods to have change. In contrast, in “By Any Means Necessary” Malcolm X argues we should use peaceful methods but if violence is used upon us we should also fight back with violence. Indeed, some argue that if we are using peaceful methods and violence is being used upon us we should fight back with violence while others believe we should fight back with peace. Violence doesn 't solve nothing it just gets more people killed. Ultimately, Activists should use peaceful protests and methods to protest for Police Brutality.

There are around hundreds of Americans that fight for our country every year. These are the people that risk their lives to give all Americans the freedoms and rights that some other countries can only dream about. When they leave to defend the USA they are leaving their family and friends, not knowing if they will come home. However, it’s not just soldiers that defend the country and risk their lives. The police, firefighters, and even EMT’s have the risk of losing their lives when called to duty. Jay Ambrose stated in his article Kaepernick Disrespects U.S, “That colored piece of cloth is not just a piece of cloth anymore

The movie Shrek is a popular classic in the animation genre of film. A big reason for it becoming a classic is its theme. Shrek is an ogre who is constantly feared and looked down in society. His looks make people want to kill him, which makes Shrek isolate himself from in his swamp. So what exactly is the theme of the story? Well, Shrek was always judged by society because he’s simply an ogre. Him wanting to marry the human version Fiona would be looked down upon since he’s an ogre and she’s a human. Judgment is huge part of the society Shrek lives in. This judgement is similar to how the Puritans reacted when they encountered an outsider or someone who’s different. The Puritans were a group of Protestants who wanted to purify their church.

“We never get rid of hate by meeting hate with hate; we get rid of an enemy, by getting rid of enmity. By its very nature hate destroys and tears down.” Dr. Martin Luther King stated that the purpose of non-violent protest was not to get revenge but to change the heart of the enemy. Over the past couple of years America has begun to acknowledge police brutality as a serious problem. While state-sanctioned violence towards individuals of varying races of color is not new, the documentation through dash-cams and civilian cellphone footage has brought the brutality to light. From Ferguson to Tulsa to Baton Rouge, there have been countless cases of police brutality towards African-American men, women, and children. Murderers never receiving their justice, given paid time off and being cleared of charges. Families living in fear, left torn apart at the hands of people who took an oath to serve and protect. We see people of all races standing together in protest of something we know to be wrong, advocating for much needed social change.

According to the First Amendment of the Constitution, every American citizen has the right to freedom of speech. As a right with no definite and clear boundaries, it has been misunderstood and taken advantage of. Protesting, a type of speech-plus or symbolic speech, is an example of when the topic of freedom of speech is misunderstood or taken out of context. Many times has an American citizen protested in what most would consider “unpatriotic” and “unjust.” The actuality of the situation is not far off; one might even say it is spot on. It is not acceptable in any form or fashion to protest any one thing in an unpatriotic manner, whatsoever. It is unacceptable because it is disrespectful, illogical, and untraditional.