TAKING A KNEE

The topic of taking a knee. It was brought up in my Political Science class discussion, here is what I have to say about that matter. I have followed this situation relatively close because it hits close to home. My mom is a veteran, and  when Colin Kaepernick started his Take A Knee protest we talked about what she thought of it. She told me she fought for the freedom to sit or stand. The protest is about the symbolism of National Anthem and the American flag. It’s about Police Brutality and Racism. People are forgetting that they are protesting within their rights. Some are saying that these athletes are disrespecting the flag, this piece of cloth and the military personnel that fought for this flag. What they aren’t talking about is what the flag means. The Pledge of Allegiance states “with liberty and justice for all”. This is what they are protesting about. Where was the justice when there were several cases of unarmed African-Americans who were shot by the police. That is what they are talking about. How are they disrespecting the rights and freedoms that the United States so proudly claims to have for their citizens? These athletes are using their platform to talk about the topics no one wants to acknowledge. They are using their platform to help the voices that are not heard. In retrospect those who don’t agree with the protest are within their rights just as well. What is lacking in the situation is that people are not willing to listen to opinions that differ from their own. Along with being able to express our opinions we should be able to also respect those that we don’t agree with. Isn’t that what America about? Trump’s comments were unbecoming of someone who is supposed to be our President. Instead of looking at all angles of the situation is was very one-sided. Trump is more concerned about athletes taking a knee than he is about Clint still not having clean water, Houston & Florida needing aid recovering with the aftereffects of the hurricanes and Puerto Rico needs of electricity. Not to mention North Korea threatening the US with nuclear war. Someone in his position of authority should be a little bit busy to be dealing with protesting athletes. There are people saying that “if you don’t want to stand for the National Anthem get out of America” or basically if you feel oppressed or you don’t like something in America that you need to leave. These are the examples of why these athletes are protesting. They have every right to be in America just like the next person (or people). I’m amazed at how people are saying “if you’re an American, you should be standing for the National Anthem, with your hand over your heart and facing the flag.” So these athletes are less american because they are exercising their rights as American citizens? How do you measure how “american” a person is? Do others know that there are people in Hawaii who do not stand for the National Anthem? You can’t really tell them to get out of America because the US illegally annexed the island. They didn’t even want to be apart of the US but they really didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. So what are you going to say to them?
As a young black female every time I step out of my house I wonder if I’ll make it back to my mom alive. You never know when you’ll be faced with racism and that fear stays with me everywhere I go. Every time I see a police officer my heart starts to race and my body shakes because I wonder if I’ll cross the paths of a not so nice officer. This is what I live through, fearing for my life at every turn. This is why I’m thankful for all those who are protesting on behalf of the black community because you really don’t know what it’s like till you’ve experienced it for yourself. If you can not see racism for what it is or ignore that is obviously around you are a part of the problem. How will we make our country better and progress forward if we can’t identify or acknowledge the problems that citizens are going through. Even if you are not being affected by it directly think of those who are, what are you doing to help them and that situation?This does not mean I don’t appreciate what those who served in our armed forces. I salute them and all they have done to ensure that our country stays the land of the free. I appreciate them for giving me and many others the right to voice our different opinions.