{"id":239,"date":"2024-04-04T18:26:13","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T18:26:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/emmatignorsportjournal\/?p=239"},"modified":"2024-04-04T18:29:52","modified_gmt":"2024-04-04T18:29:52","slug":"taking-a-knee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/emmatignorsportjournal\/2024\/04\/04\/taking-a-knee\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking a Knee"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In 2016, Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback for the San Fransico 49ers, took a knee during the national anthem at a game in the end of the season. When usually people stand during the country’s song as a sign of respect, Colin decided to use this opportunity to protest in support of the recent death of George Floyd. Colin explained that his reasoning behind this is because he would not show respect for a country that does not respect people of color. Colin continued playing for the 49ers and kneeling during the National Anthem but at the end of the season, Colin became a free agent. Colin began receiving lots of attention from other NFL players, celebrities, politicians, and more. Colin remains a civil rights activist even after leaving the NFL. This act of protests caused many reactions from many different people. One night after Colin took a knee, the 49ers made a post explaining their respect for the National Anthem. Following this, they explained that players are encouraged to stand during the song but are not required. Shortly after his teammate, Eric Reid, began kneeling as well. A couple months after Colins protest, President Barack Obama spoke out on the topic. This caused many people to start noticing and talking about the story even more. President Obama explains that Colin was using his constitutional rights. Colin was receiving hate and support from all over the world. Time Magazine released a cover of Colin shorty after kneeling during the National Anthem. President Donald Trump also spoke out about this explaining that what Colin did was a sign of disrespect to our country. Shortly after, we can start to see many other football players and athletes protest along with Colin for a change. Colin Kaepernick allowed people all over the country to feel more confident to speak up about inequality. Colins actions caused many people to do research on inequality and racism in the country and made people stand up for what they believe in as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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