Maggie Leatherman
College Composition and Research
Editorial Essay
September 26, 2016
Kaepernick’s Act of Dishonor
“Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the playing of our National Anthem.” Spectators have heard this phrase prior to the start of sporting events for years. Recently, however, a National Football League quarterback did not stand and place his hand over his heart. Colin Kaepernick, of the San Francisco 49’ers, did not stand in an effort to bring awareness to social injustice in the United States. However, Kaepernick’s choice of showing awareness was abuse of his power as an NFL player, and disrespectful to the men and women in the military; in addition, his action of not standing has no measurable result.
First, Kaepernick used his power as an NFL quarterback in an abusive manner when he did not stand for the National Anthem. Instead, he should use his platform to talk with inner city kids about education. For example, Kaepernick could provide educational workshops for students in diverse communities, share his passion for equal rights, model positive behaviors, and exemplify the value of education. This behavior would encourage kids to stay in school and off the streets, therefore, raising awareness. Refusing to stand for our country’s anthem does not impact positive change. Kaepernick should have used his platform in a positive way to encourage students to use education rather than disrespect as a means for change in the United States.
In addition, Kaepernick disrespected the men and women in active duty and those who have fought and died for our country. He was the first athlete in professional sports to refuse to stand publicly. Standing for the National Anthem before an event brings the competing teams together for a brief amount of time. No matter how big the rivalry there may be between the teams playing, fans, coaches, and players in a stadium are cheering for the same country. Kaepernick is looked at as a mentor; therefore, athletes of all ages assume it is acceptable to not stand. Students see one of their heroes refusing to stand in reverence and might emulate his actions. A military personnel senses disrespect when observing a player who refuses to stand. Not only does it show dishonor to those who are in active duty, it is sacrilege.
Lastly, Kaepernick not standing is an immeasurable action. What change does he want to see in the country for him to stand again? Kaepernick wants to raise awareness, but he has no logical way of measuring the response to his actions. If he can’t measure his response, did he really refuse to stand for social awareness, or did he do it for personal recognition? Kaepernick refusing to stand brings attention to social injustice; however, what is he doing to fix it? He showed that racism is controversial, but what is he doing to help fix the problem? Kaepernick’s action is not measurable because there is no way of measuring if his actions have successfully accomplished his goal.
In result of Kaepernick’s immeasurable action, he ruined the possibility of a stadium becoming united. Furthermore, Kaepernick not standing shows students all over the country that it is acceptable to not show reverence to the flag. Kaepernick’s choice of showing awareness was abuse of his power as an NFL player, and disrespectful to the men and women in the military; in addition, his action of not standing has no measurable result. Every citizen in the United States needs to stand in reverence to the flag because it a symbol of our nation which soldiers past, present, and future risk their lives to protect.
College Composition and Research
Editorial Essay
September 26, 2016
Kaepernick’s Act of Dishonor
“Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the playing of our National Anthem.” Spectators have heard this phrase prior to the start of sporting events for years. Recently, however, a National Football League quarterback did not stand and place his hand over his heart. Colin Kaepernick, of the San Francisco 49’ers, did not stand in an effort to bring awareness to social injustice in the United States. However, Kaepernick’s choice of showing awareness was abuse of his power as an NFL player, and disrespectful to the men and women in the military; in addition, his action of not standing has no measurable result.
First, Kaepernick used his power as an NFL quarterback in an abusive manner when he did not stand for the National Anthem. Instead, he should use his platform to talk with inner city kids about education. For example, Kaepernick could provide educational workshops for students in diverse communities, share his passion for equal rights, model positive behaviors, and exemplify the value of education. This behavior would encourage kids to stay in school and off the streets, therefore, raising awareness. Refusing to stand for our country’s anthem does not impact positive change. Kaepernick should have used his platform in a positive way to encourage students to use education rather than disrespect as a means for change in the United States.
In addition, Kaepernick disrespected the men and women in active duty and those who have fought and died for our country. He was the first athlete in professional sports to refuse to stand publicly. Standing for the National Anthem before an event brings the competing teams together for a brief amount of time. No matter how big the rivalry there may be between the teams playing, fans, coaches, and players in a stadium are cheering for the same country. Kaepernick is looked at as a mentor; therefore, athletes of all ages assume it is acceptable to not stand. Students see one of their heroes refusing to stand in reverence and might emulate his actions. A military personnel senses disrespect when observing a player who refuses to stand. Not only does it show dishonor to those who are in active duty, it is sacrilege.
Lastly, Kaepernick not standing is an immeasurable action. What change does he want to see in the country for him to stand again? Kaepernick wants to raise awareness, but he has no logical way of measuring the response to his actions. If he can’t measure his response, did he really refuse to stand for social awareness, or did he do it for personal recognition? Kaepernick refusing to stand brings attention to social injustice; however, what is he doing to fix it? He showed that racism is controversial, but what is he doing to help fix the problem? Kaepernick’s action is not measurable because there is no way of measuring if his actions have successfully accomplished his goal.
In result of Kaepernick’s immeasurable action, he ruined the possibility of a stadium becoming united. Furthermore, Kaepernick not standing shows students all over the country that it is acceptable to not show reverence to the flag. Kaepernick’s choice of showing awareness was abuse of his power as an NFL player, and disrespectful to the men and women in the military; in addition, his action of not standing has no measurable result. Every citizen in the United States needs to stand in reverence to the flag because it a symbol of our nation which soldiers past, present, and future risk their lives to protect.