




Images can be more powerful than words, a picture can evoke emotions and display a message without using text. In this photo, Colin Kaepernick, the man wearing number 7, is kneeling during the National Anthem. Prior to the start of every professional football game, the entire stadium stands for the singing of the National Anthem. Kaepernick is showing support for the Black Lives Matter movement and does not believe our flag is worth standing for. Kaepernick is a professional quarterback in the NFL (National Football League) and he plays for the San Francisco 49ers. This has caused numerous problems between the NFL, media, and Americans as a whole. Kneeling during the National Anthem may not seem like a big deal to some people, but others have given their life to defend our country and flag. 

This photograph is demanding Americans to take action towards creating equality for African Americans and minorities. This picture was released by ESPN (Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) after tempers flared because Kaepernick did not stand for the National Anthem. Kaepernick kneeling symbolizes his lack of faith in our country and brings attention to the continuous police brutality towards African Americans, which he feels must stop and be dealt with. He is using his position as an NFL player to speak up for those who don’t have the ability to create a significant difference. If a fan in the stadium decides they don’t want to stand for the National Anthem, their face wouldn’t be on the front page of every newspaper the following day. Kaepernick is using his celebrity status to draw attention towards the political issues of African Americans and minorities in America today. 

This image appeals to our emotions whether you agree or disagree with the statement Kaepernick is trying to make. Most people are outraged and feel that everyone should stand up for the National Anthem because it shows honor to our troops. However, other people feel that he is doing the right thing by using his voice to shed light on the issues that African Americans and minorities are faced with. Personally, I am outraged by Kaepernick and I feel that everyone should stand for the National Anthem. The National Anthem and American flag represent our freedom and honor for those that have died for our country. Our troops fought for our freedom and if you do not want to put your life on the line for your country, then you should stand up and show respect for the ones who have.

Kaepernick is directing this message towards all Americans that African Americans and minorities are not being treated equal. In this photograph there is a marine standing to the left and a Navy officer standing to the right. These two men have dedicated their lives for this country and they believe the National Anthem and American flag are sacred. Officers from the Navy, Army, Marines, or any other armed forces unit, were furious to see a man fortunate enough to have the athletic ability to play professional football kneel during the National Anthem. Refusal to stand for the American flag upset many Americans, not just the ones who have fought for our country, but those who support the troops and realize how life threatening their jobs are. 

The unstated assumptions are that Kaepernick does not respect America and the great things that our country has done. I do not believe this is the case, he is just trying express his opinion on how African American people are being treated today. He wants Americans to realize even though there is an African American president, that doesn’t mean minorities are being treated equally. In these past couple of years there have been several police brutality cases that have impacted the African American community deeply. While Kaepernick is kneeling he isn’t trying to disrespect the people who have given their life for our country, he is trying to make people realize the problems that are still occurring in our society. People may think that he is going about it the wrong way, but it has gained the attention of people around the world— he has successfully spread the word that African Americans and minorities in America aren’t being treated equally.

As Kaepernick continues to kneel during the National Anthem more players from the NFL have started to kneel as well. Other players simply raise their fist in the air in support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Even though most of the feedback he has received is negative, he still has people who support his cause. Therefore, he is able to create a bigger voice and start towards making a change in society. 

One of the greatest accomplishments America has achieved is freedom, and Kaepernick is accessing his right to freedom of speech. Many Americans don’t like his actions but unfortunately there is nothing we can do about it. Kaepernick has said that he won’t kneel forever, but he wants to make a statement for all African American and minorities being treated unlawfully. His decision to kneel has created tension among the NFL, and he wants African Americans to realize that they are still not equal. For example, Michael Brown had his hands up showing that he was surrendering to law enforcement he was then shot and killed by a white police officer. The police officer went to trial and was later proven innocent by the jury and the African American community was outraged. Kaepernick is trying to show Americans that justice isn’t always served and African Americans are the ones who usually suffer from this. He wants the world to know that equality in America hasn’t been established yet and a change has to be made. Kneeling for the National Anthem may be the beginning of a new era, not just in sports but for America as a whole. 