A trend across professional sports has come back in a big way. Professional athletes and now athletes of all ages are taking a knee during the national anthem to protest the unfair treatment of people of color. It started with the 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first sitting on the bench during the national anthem and later taking a knee. This was extremely controversial and has been spreading quickly across the nation. The debate now is whether it is their right to do so or if they should not be allowed to use their fame for politics and, as some view it, disrespecting veterans and the country. Although my view may be different from some people, especially at this school, I think that kneeling during the national anthem at a sporting event is not the time or place for civil disobedience. I think that it is there job to participate in all pregame rituals. They should all come out on the field together, warm up together, and participate in the national anthem together. I think that their message is extremely important and they are using their fame for a good cause but I think it should be off the field or after the game. Your workplace, even if you’re an athlete, should be a place for work, not protest.
I most definitely agree. While many think that sports is a very political job, it is my belief that sports and personal political views of each sportperson should be kept separate. When people pay to go to the game, they pay to be entertained, not ponder and challenge controversial ideas; I think that if the sportsman choose to take a knee during the anthem, then the anthem should be left towards the end when people are free to stay or leave.
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