Do you ever think about why you do certain actions, or about the true meaning behind what you believe or stand for? We live in a world where lots of people do things or listen to things without thinking about the true message behind it. As individuals have we become robotic, consumed by our daily routines and rituals? Why do some people listen to songs that talk about women in a derogatory way? Do you ever pay attention to what the words actually say?
On August 26, 2016 at a 49ers preseason game vs the Green Bay Packers, 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, decided to sit down during the National Anthem. Since Kaepernick’s refusal to stand during the Anthem, a lot of people have been questioning whether his act was “anti-American” or was his “sitting” representing the ideals behind the National Anthem and what it means to be “ American.”
The National Anthem was created by Francis Scott Key on September 14, 1814. It was inspired by the American Flag flying triumphantly during the American victory versus the British at the Battle of Baltimore in 1812. The song was in honor of all those who served for our country. The National Anthem has become of a symbol of America’s traditions and the struggles of the American people. The National Anthem is a representation of national identity, unity, and pride. It was then adopted as a patriotic ritual before baseball games during World War I, and World War II, and eventually spread to other sports.
When we stand for the national anthem, we show respect and pride of America’s victories and triumphs. However, do we pause and think of those American people, the slaves, immigrants, and the Native people of North America, who have been excluded from the freedom and liberties those victories have given our nation?
Some people are beginning to think that the anthem might actually be discriminatory, and as a nation we’re not displaying its true essence. Kaepernick’s protest has ignited a flame towards this country’s treatment of its African American citizens, who have sacrificed their lives in the fight to have equal rights, and the American soldiers who are currently and have served our country.
This has sparked a national dialogue of America’s treatment towards its citizens of color and its history of racial oppression. I think Kaepernick had a right to sit down during the national anthem, due to his right to freedom of expression. From my understanding, Kaepernick didn’t want to stand for a country that oppresses people of color. He explained in SB Nation News that there’s been a lot of deaths of America’s black citizens, and that America is not giving freedom, justice, and liberty to everyone, as the National Anthem signifies.
From my perspective Kaepernick has an enormous amount of respect for people who have fought for this country. However, he is also aware that American soldiers and Veterans have been mistreated by the same Nation they are fighting to defend.
I’m glad this event has ignited a dialogue and is having our nation really take a deeper look at its treatment of citizens. This is a topic that America is ashamed of and would rather pretend it’s not a problem. Overlooking the issue is causing our nation to be divided and it’s time that our country find a solution to these issues and demonstrate to its citizens of color and the world that America treats all its citizens justly and equally.
So many people just do things because it’s so natural to them and it’s in their routine to do so without knowing why they do it. Read in between the lines, go deeper, and explore the question everyone should be asking…why?
About the author: My name is Isis Marie Queen and I’m 13 years old. I currently attend Synergy School and I’m in the 8th grade. I’m a San Francisco native with a diverse background. I am an enrolled member of the Piscataway Tribe, an African American, Nicaraguan, Mexican, and European. The first time I really started to enjoy writing and wanted to share it with others was in elementary school. In 5th grade I got one of my writings published on the school website and it was about my name and where it came from and what it meant to me. Ever since then I’ve continued to explore my interests in writing and I hope to tell a story sharing my perspective.