#TakeAKnee Protest Sparks Controversy Around the World

The controversy surrounding the National Anthem protest was ignited last Sunday morning when President Donald Trump made a comment about athletes  who had been kneeling during the Anthem, saying that coaches should fire those “sons of B*****,” and get players on the field who won’t disrespect the country.

Later that day the entire Pittsburgh Steelers team stayed in their locker rooms to protest the President, and express their feelings towards the injustice they see in America by not standing for the National Anthem.

The team was greeted by harsh slurs and slanders from the crowd, and although they ignored the slanders,they were supporting the initial protest which began last year when former NFL player Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the National Anthem because he felt that his country didn’t represent him.

Trump has been tweeting about the issue with no hesitation.

“The NFL has all sorts of rules and regulations. The only way out for them is to set a rule that you can’t kneel during our National Anthem,” Trump tweeted on Sept. 26

Trump’s remarks seem to have added fire to the issue. Since he spoke out, many celebrities have criticized him as a leader.  Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors declined an invitation to the White House and Lebron James also spoke out in a video he posted.

“We all know how much sports brings us together, how much passion it has, how much we love and care and friendships and everything it creates,” James said. “And for him to try and use this platform, even more, it’s not something I can stand for, it’s not something I can be quiet about.”

Musician John Legend also spoke out about the situation about Trump’s remarks in a tweet,“The White House is again urging the firing of people who exercise free speech to fight for equality and justice. Shameful,” he tweeted.

A few teams such as the Washington Redskins, Green Bay Packers, and San Diego Chargers have been standing, locking arms to show their support.

“People have a lot to say about the kneeling in the NFL because they feel as if it is disrespectful but they are not hurting anyone, they are silently protesting by kneeling which they have the right to do,” sophomore Chanese Knox said.

While the issue has many supporters, many people see athletes not standing for the Anthem as a sign of disrespect towards our country. They argue that the football field before a game is neither the time, or place for such a protest, while other people believe they are using their platform to express their views.

“I am so ashamed of and appalled by the ignorance of any NFL player who would dare disgrace our Stars and Stripes or the memory of hundreds of thousands of fallen U.S. heroes who paid with their lives so that we may live free,” said Steven Tiefenthaler, who is a 20-year U.S Air Force Veteran. to Journal Sentinel.

Senior Isabel Smith disagrees, and feels that this is an appropriate platform for athletes to voice their opinions.

“I think their purpose is to make a political statement. Players are busy with games. So this is their way of making a statement. It’s bringing up the big issue of freedom of speech,” Smith said.