Every time an athlete takes a knee during the national anthem, a storm erupts. Words like “disrespect,” “unpatriotic,” and “divisive” are thrown around — but ask yourself: what’s more un-American than silencing peaceful protest?
Athletes don’t kneel to disrespect the flag. They kneel because the ideals it represents — freedom, justice, equality — are not equally delivered. When police brutality, systemic racism, and injustice go unchecked, remaining silent during national symbols isn’t patriotism — it’s complicity.
Some fans demand athletes “stick to sports.” But why? When celebrities speak out, they’re applauded. When politicians posture, they’re praised. Yet when athletes — especially Black athletes — use their platform to spark change, they’re told to sit down and shut up.
Protesting during the anthem is not about hating a country. It’s about holding it accountable.
Let’s not forget: Muhammad Ali was vilified before he was canonized. Tommie Smith and John Carlos were condemned before they were honored. History always punishes protest before it understands it.
So should athletes be allowed to protest during the anthem? The real question is: how dare we try to stop them?
This isn’t about a song. It’s about a voice — and silencing that voice is the real threat to freedom.
Athletes don’t kneel to disrespect the flag. They kneel because the ideals it represents — freedom, justice, equality — are not equally delivered. When police brutality, systemic racism, and injustice go unchecked, remaining silent during national symbols isn’t patriotism — it’s complicity.
Some fans demand athletes “stick to sports.” But why? When celebrities speak out, they’re applauded. When politicians posture, they’re praised. Yet when athletes — especially Black athletes — use their platform to spark change, they’re told to sit down and shut up.
Protesting during the anthem is not about hating a country. It’s about holding it accountable.
Let’s not forget: Muhammad Ali was vilified before he was canonized. Tommie Smith and John Carlos were condemned before they were honored. History always punishes protest before it understands it.
So should athletes be allowed to protest during the anthem? The real question is: how dare we try to stop them?
This isn’t about a song. It’s about a voice — and silencing that voice is the real threat to freedom.