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Take a Kneel

In Eduardo Lara’s “Blog Stage 5” he discusses the recent media attention surrounding the current backlash NFL players who have taken a knee during the national anthem have received. Citizens and even Donald Trump have taken to social media to share their outrage about the so called grievous disgrace the players who participated showed towards the nation. He goes on to discuss how these players have received threats from their organizations, their fans, and even their president. I agree with his belief that these player, who are simply expressing their freedom of expression, are being wrongfully mistreated. 
By choosing to kneel during the anthem these players are not disrespecting the United States, rather they are simply choosing to express their respect in a different manner, while making a statement about the current status of our nation. This right is protected under the first amendment which guarantees our freedom of religion and speech. This freedom has been protected time and time again allowing protests at funerals and flag burnings so there is no reason the first amendment shouldn’t not apply in this instance. While it may be considered rude by some, by kneeling during the anthem NFL players are exercising their fully protected freedom of speech in a respectful manner that still displays dignity for our country. We already live in a time where the ritual of strong national pride is beginning to disintegrate and for these players to receive such negative and outlandish feedback, when students across America twiddle away on their phones and talk among peers as the pledge of allegiance is recited, is extremely unjust and hypocritical. 

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