HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT KNEELING

DURING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM ?

Sociology: Smbols, Values & Norms

Members of a society shape its behavior. They influence what is of value and what should be avoided or eliminated. Usually this happens slowly, over many years. Sometimes it happens quickly, spurred by a certain person or certain events. Such an event is happening now. Our American society might be gearing up for a change.

Just a year ago, American football player Colin Kaepernick knelt during the National Anthem before a game to protest police brutality. Fast-forward a year later, and the nation is ripe with controversy surrounding Kapernick’s movement. This past weekend President Trump magnified the debate by demanding that the NFL force its players to stand during the national anthem or be fired via a tweetstorm.

Nearly every team reacted differently. Some chose to skip the National Anthem altogether, others linked arms in unity, and some or let their players choose themselves, to stand or kneel.

The debate has swirled to first amendment rights and the morality of kneeling for the National Anthem. It begs the question, Should national symbols be protected from actions that are deemed disrespectful?

Those supporting the protestors note each player’s right to protest peacefully. They look to the Supreme Court case Texas v. Johnson, and highlight that individuals even have the right to burn the flag as a form of political speech.

Yet, many others throughout the nation view players kneeling during the National Anthem as solely disrespectful to the service men and women who fought for our freedoms. They call for the protests to cease, as President Trump has done. Some service men and women support the taking of a knee to highlight racial equality. Others do not.

So, what do you think?

1. Should national symbols be protected from actions deemed disrespectful?
2. Should the president use his power to have people fired for exercising their constitutional rights?
3. Is taking a knee during the anthem really about disrespect or something else going on in our country?
4. Why or why not. Write 3 or more full sentences for each questions

Supporting material

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nike-kaepernick/nikes-kaepernick-ad-spurs-spike-in-sold-out-items-idUSKCN1LZ2G4 (Links to an external site.)

http://www.npr.org/2017/09/25/553539767/how-every-nfl-team-responded-to-trump-s-national-anthem-protest-comments (Links to an external site.)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2017/09/26/the-nfl-couldnt-keep-colin-kaepernick-off-the-field/?tid=a_inl&utm_term=.9d5240bacb81 (Links to an external site.)

https://law.stanford.edu/2017/09/26/can-pro-athletes-sit-out-the-national-anthem/