Colin Kaepernick's Freedom Of The Protester: The First Amendment

Colin Kaepernick a full time NFL player decided he wanted to Kneel during the national anthem because he was against the social injustice and racial profiling by cops in America mostly the cops in Colorado. Colin, who had never done this before or has ever protested against this before, sparked controversy around the country because people thought it was rude, controversial, a stunt and irresponsible use of his power with his fans. Since then Colin has joined protests against this and other big time and small players have since kneeled or sat down during the solute. Further more I thought what Colins thought of peaceful protesting was a correct thought but a rude and bad time to do what he did.

“The issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race,” President trump says. “It is about respect for our country, flag and National Anthem” With that understanding, many veterans support NFL players who Neal during the National Anthem. Take John Middlemas, the 97 year old World War 2 veterans from Missouri who knelt on Sunday in solidarity with players. His photo went viral with a quote: “Those kids have every right to protest.”People should stand for the national anthem for everything because its disrespectful to our veterans, people in the army, and police force; also it’s Americas thing to stand during the National Anthem to show that they are proud.

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

Some have stated that there are other methods of protest to convey the message in a less disrespectful and violent inducing way. Although those are valid points the question is, whose fault is it for the sense of disrespect and violence? Much like Martin Luther King’s protest, flag burning is often nonviolent, but people’s reaction to it causes violence. The point of flag burning is to express political feelings, the violence and feeling of disrespect are side effects opposers create. Also, as previously mentioned, some dislike the method of protest used in flag burning. 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

protesting of the national anthem began back in 1968 when two US Olympic track athletes stood during the national anthem with a raised fist to raise awareness of black power during the times of racism and inequality. In Louis Jacobson’s article about the controversy, he stated, “The recent controversy over the national anthem came back up in 2016 when NFL player Colin Kaepernick sat during the anthem before a game.” This problem has filtered down to the high school level. It is against a citizen’s rights to keep him or her from kneeling. Kneeling symbolizes a method of protesting against social injustices and equality. High School

In 1787 our founding fathers assembled the constitution of the United States of America. Of this which contains the most important document to the American citizen, the Bill of rights. The first Amendment states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances” These freedoms granted by the Bill of Rights are often known as freedom of expression. These rights are most important to a truly free society. The first amendment provides us with new ideas and dismisses the fear of punishment

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.

    When the American flag is distressed and unfit for formal display, it is appropriate to dispose of it in a manner of stateliness as said in the United States Flag Code. The most frequent and fitting method to doing away with the flag is burning it. This simple statement is very broad and is easily misinterpreted. The first amendment of the United States Constitution protects this traditional way of expressing respect to the Star Spangled Banner. Several citizens of the United States believe that desecration of the flag is qualified as a form of breach of peace. Many americans believe that burning the American flag is constitutionally proofed by the first amendment and is

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).

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

Ronald Reagan once said, “When we honor our flag we honor what we stand for as a Nation - freedom, equality, justice, and hope.” The Texas v. Johnson case is a vast problem that seems to be overpowering in today’s society. Since the case began there have been flag burnings all over the country, and no one seems to be concerned since people are not getting disciplined. People should not be burning the flag that so many people fight and lost their lives for. The burning of the American flag should not be protected by the First Amendment.

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

“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.