Cameron Marcus Cosby

Professor Sloggie-Pierce

English 211

16 January 2018

Kneeling for Freedom

Over the past year, sports have been a topic of discussion in many homes. The conversations have not been about winning and losing, but an action performed by players before the game starts. Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco Forty Niners decided to use his 1st amendment right to speak out against police brutality toward blacks. His protest would take place during the playing of the National Anthem. Kaepernick would do this by taking a knee versus standing while the Anthem plays. Many other players would take a knee to show support for this cause. In my opinion, I was very happy to see professional players take a stance for such an important issue.

Many individuals refuse to see the real issue. They would rather cloud the issue by saying that this shows disrespect to our country. However, I beg to differ. Every player that kneels during the Anthem, in my perspective, is standing up for many individuals that have been beaten, murdered, or treated unequally by law enforcement.

Kneeling during the playing of the National Anthem shows that players in the league have stepped out to show support. Police Brutality is very serious in my opinion and I believe that things need to change. We are continuously losing family, friends, and loved ones throughout this reoccurring injustice. Our judicial system is not serving justice even when there is overwhelming evidence.  Cameras and cell phones have captured the abuse in many cases. Judges, jurors and other individuals refuse to believe what is clearly evident in videos.

Blacks have been fighting for equality for many years. Law enforcement continues to profile and treat them differently. Colin Kaepernick jeopardized his NFL career to speak on something he feels is a problem in our society. He is one of thirty-two starting quarterbacks in the NFL. Due to his bravery, many have praised him, though others have demonized him.  His jersey sales increased and he became well known throughout many households. Multiple media sources refuse to report on the real issue. They would rather side with President Trump who refuses to acknowledge the systemic problem. Our country is divided, more so now than ever before. We have a president that loves controversy. He only supports Americans that support him.  Many see him as a racist. President Trump has called the players that have kneeled “Sons of Bitches” which has added fuel to the topic. We are bound by law to have our freedom of speech. I feel like this country as a whole is starting to lose its privilege to express our freedom of speech.

The action by these athletes is not only to bring attention to police brutality. This is action to bring attention to other inequalities in the country as well. Another controversial topic that has causing this to occur is Trump’s effort to push all immigrants out of the country. Our nation exists because of immigrants. President Trump’s theme of “Making America Great Again” really means “Making America White Again”. President Trump’s supporters are all for this new idea. Colin Kaepernick’s stance supports equality for all people. I would like to see people of all colors treated equally.

I believe kneeling prior to the game is a great platform to stand up for a cause such as this.  This is a silent protest rather than violence. Riots have begun after police that have been caught on camera beating or killing individuals. The judicial system fails when it comes to prosecuting even when the evidence is overwhelming against the officer. My brother is in law enforcement, so I am not saying that all police officers are bad.  I am only saying that the bad police should be prosecuted when they do something unlawful.

Many people would strongly disagree with my opinion. I believe that we should continue to take a stand for our rights in our country. Every individual that kneels during the national anthem is taking a stand toward creating change. This will not be easy, but it is necessary to create conversation and attention to this issue.