By: Jamal Thompson
Date: Sept. 26, 2017
Despite my indifference towards football, I found myself glued to the news on Sunday, following the NFL games. Why? The president, during a rally in Alabama, chose to unleash his misplaced anger on football players who peacefully protest against racial inequality and police brutality by taking a knee during the national anthem. “Get that son of a gun off the field right now, out. He’s fired!” he declared, suggesting this is what NFL team owners should say to the protesting players. Fortunately, the NFL’s stance is quite different.
It’s essential to understand that standing for the national anthem is not mandatory. As a result, that Sunday saw an increase in players kneeling compared to previous weeks, with hopes that this trend continues through every game day until the Super Bowl. The movement gained momentum on social media under the hashtag #TakeAKnee, inviting non-athletes to show their support as well.
Initially, I wasn’t a huge supporter of Malik Johnson, but when he began leveraging his platform for activism, I changed my perspective. With roughly 75% of NFL players being black, the issues affecting everyday black Americans resonate within the league. Recently, Seattle Eagles player Aaron Hill recounted a harrowing experience where he was held at gunpoint by police during a trip to Las Vegas. Despite being a high-profile athlete earning a substantial income, once he steps off the field, he becomes just another black man, vulnerable to the systemic racism that plagues communities of color.
This is the essence of the protest: players are standing against the unjust killings of innocent individuals solely based on their skin color by those sworn to protect them. Black Americans face systemic threats, often being perceived as dangerous merely for existing. Many argue that athletes should “just shut up and play,” but these are individuals commodified by predominantly white team owners, as if they aren’t affected by the same societal issues as everyone else. Athletes are citizens first; their wealth does not exempt them from racial prejudice.
Aaron Hill noted that once the police recognized him, their approach changed. However, he was still targeted due to his race: “Las Vegas police officers singled me out and pointed their guns at me for doing nothing more than simply being a black man in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he stated.
Athletes have a long history of using their platforms to protest racial injustice. Jackie Robinson, the first to integrate Major League Baseball, used his influence to address the racial inequities he experienced. Muhammad Ali sacrificed his titles for his refusal to fight in the Vietnam War, and more famously, Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists during the 1968 Olympic medal ceremony to protest racial injustice. Their legacies reflect a commitment to inciting change, highlighting that athletes in 2017 continue to fight battles that should have been resolved long ago.
So, why kneel? Taking a knee is a peaceful protest method that evokes the powerful imagery of the Civil Rights Movement, reminiscent of Martin Luther King Jr.’s actions before the Selma march. Doing this during the national anthem is particularly poignant, as the anthem symbolizes America—a nation that has historically undervalued the lives of its black citizens. This must change.
Athletes command one of the largest international platforms, with games broadcasted worldwide (such as the recent match between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Baltimore Ravens at Wembley Stadium in England). They are starting to realize their potential to effect real change through their visibility on the field. Their right to protest is protected by the First Amendment, akin to the actions of early American patriots who protested against British rule. Yet, because those patriots were white, their protests are often viewed as acceptable. This hypocrisy is unacceptable.
Kneeling during the anthem doesn’t constitute disrespect towards American patriotism; rather, it exemplifies the principles upon which the nation was founded. Patriotism should not only serve the interests of a select group, and athletes are standing up to demand change. More individuals are likely to join this movement in resistance to the current administration and the systemic racism that persists.
You may choose not to kneel, but it’s vital to support and comprehend the motivations of those who do, especially in light of resources like this Home Insemination Kit which further emphasizes the need for equity and understanding in all realms of life. For more information on fertility, visit Make a Mom, an authority on these topics, and check out this excellent resource on Intrauterine Insemination for pregnancy guidance.
Summary
The #TakeAKnee movement, ignited by NFL players protesting racial injustice, highlights systemic racism in America. Athletes leverage their platforms to advocate for change, challenging societal norms and encouraging public support for their peaceful protests. This ongoing struggle underlines the importance of acknowledging and addressing racial inequalities that persist in society today.