The #TAKEAKNEE Movement
It all started with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for “The Star-Spangled Banner”, which shocked everyone, however he had the best explanation.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. … There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
His explanation really makes us all stop and think. We are born and raised to always stand when the national anthem is being played, some of us even being forced to stand. However, blacks and people of color have gone through and are currently going through so much hate and oppression in this country. It is crazy how we are forced and obligated to do so much for this country, but freedom, something that should be a given, seems transparent. They want us to stand together and be “united” as we cherish our flag and country, but then we are the ones that are isolated, incarcerated, and killed. We should stand or (Kneel) with Kaepernick who is half white however the color of his skin is a gateway to oppression.
Introducing the #takeaknee movement, which started with Kaepernick but progressed when our “beloved” President Donnie said NFL owners should fire athletes that disrespect “his” country. Sorry Donnie, but you could be the King of the world and we still won’t respect or care about what you have to say. (Maybe if you mind your business in sports and helped with PR, we might listen). So now NFL players are using their first amendment rights to take a knee or stand with locked arms together. The key word being together because regardless of race, religion, or color, sports should be something that unites us all.