Is Refusing to Stand for the National Anthem an Appropriate Form of Protest PDF

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Is Refusing to Stand for the National Anthem an Appropriate Form of Protest? People who support refusing to stand for the national anthem argue that athletes are justified in using their celebrity status to bring attention to important issues and that refusing to stand for the national anthem is an appropriate and effective method of peaceful protest. People who disagree argue that football games are an inappropriate place to engage in political protest and that not standing for the national anthem shows disrespect for the country and those who proudly support it, some with their lives. This issue started when Former San Francisco 49er Quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his teammate Eric Reid chose to kneel during the anthem to call attention to the issues of racial inequality and police brutality on. A seeming trend is athletes and celebrities protest their political views by kneeling during the National Anthem. I’m grateful to be an American. I’m also proud that our nation’s history is part of my own. It’s an honor that the brave men and women who are currently serving or have served in the Armed Forces are among myself, friends, neighbors, and co-citizens. And I’m delighted for how our diverse nation has come together to agree upon the manners of how best to honor the symbols of our country. But, the growing support for kneeling during the National Anthem is disgusting and UN-American. Refusing to stand up for the National Anthem is an inappropriate form of protest because it is a slap in the face to the people who risked their lives for our country and lost loves doing so. It is disrespecting our National Anthem, our flag, and the soldiers who gave their lives, including those currently in the U.S. Armed Forces. There is 1,411,656 current active and reserve personnel of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army Reserve, and the U.S. Naval Reserve who risks their life ignoring death to

Is Refusing to Stand for the National Anthem an Appropriate Form of Protest? protect our country. Many of these athletes and celebrities haven’t tasted what ordeal the U.S. Armed Forces face each day in the front lines. These elite warriors fight for America without any regards to his or her life. How we show how appreciation for their sacrifice is by kneeling during the National Anthem and the U.S. Flag. Do you ever stop and ask yourself “How would the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces feel about our actions or how would the parents, sisters, brothers, wives, and children of the soldier who gave up his or her life for this country feel about our actions?” I will tell you from the firsthand account “betrayed and hurt.” Many of those soldiers who previously served or currently serving have families, jobs and a life, but they do what most Americans could and couldn’t do, they put on their uniform and march straight to battle. Refusing to stand for the National Anthem, tells them you don’t care for their sacrifice. It is because of the brave men and woman of the World’s Finest Armed Forces that protect and defend the United States of America. Since World War I, there has been 442,320 American causalities, all of them died protecting and defending democracy and the right of America as the “free world.” Not standing for the National Anthem only divides a divided country. During times of hate and distress, the National Anthem and our Flag brings us together as humans and most importantly, as Americans. There are other ways of protesting political views such as social media and peaceful protest. Protesting your political views and social injustice should be done without disrespecting our Nation Anthem, our Flag, and our country. You don’t understand the sacrifices of the U.S. Armed Forces does to make America, “AMERICA.” God Bless the U.S. Armed Forces and God Bless the United States of America....