Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez of the NY Times
Eric Reid, strong safety of the 49ers, decided to join Colin Kaepernick, who initially sat on the bench during the national anthem, to take a knee during the national anthem. Reid and Kaepernick chose to kneel instead of sitting on the bench as a peaceful protest against police brutality and oppression towards colored people. Reid compares their kneeling to "a flag flown at half-mast to mark a tragedy".
Everyone has the right to protest, and this right is identified as a human right. However, there is a necessity for restrictions if the protest is against a race, religion, etc. In Kaepernick's case, he is not protesting against any specific race or group. He is kneeling because he believes that America oppresses people of color, which he does not support.
Questions:
1. Is it fair that Kaepernick is unemployed for not standing during the national anthem?
2. Do you think kneeling is comparable to flying the flag halfway to recognize a tragedy?
3. Do you think there was any other choice to protest against police brutality that wouldn't risk Kaepernick's employment?
NY Times Article
12 comments:
While it is ultimately up to the owners of the teams in the NFL, I personally feel like it is unfair that Kaepernick is unemployed for not standing during the national anthem. Like any other American, he has the right to express himself, and both he and Eric Reid have decided to protest social injustice in the most respectful, yet visible, manner they could. In a way, I feel like flying a flag half-mast is somewhat comparable to kneeling, as both try to respect tragedy in a respectful manner that is not disruptive.
I personally think there are other ways Kaepernick could have protested police brutality in a way that wouldn't have risked his employment, but I think what he did was effective in the sense that he was using his platform to send a strong message. Had he done it any other way that didn't risk his employment, I don't think he would have been successful in generating discourse at the level that it was created.
Like Kamille, I think that it is up to the owners of the teams in the NFL to decide Kaepernick's employment, but it is unfair because Kaepernick's First Amendment rights should obviously allow him to express his opinions and protest. I think Reid's comparison of kneeling to a flag at half-mast is interesting but fair because they both express some form of respectful mourning. I think that Kaepernick could have protested against police brutality in a way that would not risk his employment, including him simply speaking about the issue in order to bring more attention to it, as he already was; however, I also agree that his choice to kneel is a much more blatant and bold gesture that was ultimately much more effective in projecting his message quickly.
As a Niners fan, I have to say that claiming Kaepernick was released from the team solely because of his demonstrations during the national anthem is really ignoring how poorly he was doing his job, which is to be a QB and not a rights activist. Kaepernick's statistics have been in a sharp decrease since he lead the team to the Superbowl. Kaepernick had the abysmal QB rating of 49.5 last season, and was towards the bottom of the list for passer accuracy, as well as towards the top of the list for fumbles and interceptions in relation to minutes played.
While I'm not denying the press generated from his actions definitely could have influenced the coaching staff and GMs into letting him go, I think it's important that we remember he primarily has to be a good football player to keep his job. It's not that uncommon for teams to shift around young QBs that are experiencing slumps, and Kaepernick is in no way entitled to a job so long as he can't perform on the field.
I personally find it completely absurd that Colin Kaepernick is currently unable to do what he loves and has been doing for many years because he chose to PEACEFULLY stand up for his beliefs. It was wrong that the NFL chose to prioritize it's reputation over Kaepernick's spot on the team. I truly admire and respect Kaepernick for his bravery in using his large platform to bring awareness to a serious issue that IS occurring within our nation. Whether one agrees with Kaepernick's actions or not, it is inevitable to admit that what he did took great courage. As seen this weekend, several other NFL players joined Kaepernick's peaceful protest and have received nation-wide recognition for it. Although, unfortunately Kaepernick continues to have no team. Kaepernick holds the right to freely express himself and this right is directly protected under the 1st Amendment, additionally he did so PEACEFULLY and caused absolutely NO HARM to nobody. Those who were offended by his actions also have the right of free speech but I believe that removing Kaepernick from the team was a violation of his first amendment rights.
I believed it is not fair that Kaepernick is still a free agent because he choose to speak up and bring awarness to social inequality in society. Right now, there are many quarterbacks that are worse than Kaepernick, such as Jay Cutler Josh McCown, and Mike Glennon, that not only are on an NFL roster, but starting for their team. But, the main reason why Kaepernick is still unemployed because he provides a distraction for the team via the media that it would possibly hinder the team and their performance. I believe that if Kaepernick would have developed into a Pro-Bowl level quarterback that he would still have a job even though he protested. A lot of good NFL players that have protested still have their jobs, but since Kaepernick was not a key player for the 49ers last season. Also, it was Kaepernick restructured his $126 million contract to include the option to opt out, which he choose to, so it was technically his fault that he doesn't have a job. Another way that he would still have his job is if he would have opted in to his contract, but he chose to test free agency and ended up with the consequence of still being a free agent and unemployed.
The 1st amendment says that the government cannot stop you from speaking. Employers are free to fire you if you say something they don't like, but you are free to go to another who may or may not approve. Whether you agree with the firing or not, his 1st amendment rights aren't being violated.
Saying that Kapernick's rights are being violated is the same as saying that a company firing you for a social media post is violating your rights. You can say what you want **on your own platform**, but people aren't forced to listen to you.
I think there is no issue with kneeling during the national anthem to bring attention to an issue, so long as it is done in a respectful manner, so I agree with the others that have said Kaepernick's unemployment is unfair. His protest was peaceful and didn't affect anything except for the news, which was his goal.
I would not compare it to flying a flag at half-mast, because even though both are done to bring attention to something, flying a flag at half-mast is not so much a form of protest.
I'm sure there are other ways that Kaepernick could have protested, but no matter what he likely would have been criticized. As his form of protest was probably the most peaceful, respectful way he could have protested, anything else probably would have been viewed as worse.
I think reactions to people kneeling during the national anthem really shows the hypocrisy of anti-protesters in our country. When there are marches or riots in the streets, protesters are told to do something that won't negatively affect everyday life and passersby. They kneel (an action that won't negatively affect anything) and they still receive criticism.
I believe that in the same way that Colin Kaepernick has the right to protest what he sees as wrong, football teams also have the right to fire someone for doing something they see as wrong. The first amendment only says that he cannot be criminally charged for protesting in a peaceful manner, not that he won't be punished in other ways. THe first amendment gives people freedom to say what they want; it doesn't give people protection from criticism.
Justin, I think your analysis comparing Kaepernick to other quarterbacks neglects how the NFL contract system works, as well as the special circumstances surrounding each of the players you mentioned. Mike Glennon actually outperformed Kaepernick last season spectacularly, with a QBR of 96.7, making him one of the best reliever QBs in the league accuracy wise. Jay Cutler was part of a negotiation between the Bears and Dolphins because the Dolphins needed a veteran player like Cutler to fill the shoes of the injured Tannehill. McCown played on the only team worse than the niners last year, and since leaving the team has already outperformed Kaepernick this season.
One of the reasons Kaepernick was not considered for many positions in the off season was, as you mentioned, his incredibly high price tag contract in relation to his performance. I agree with you that unemployment was his choice, as he took the opt out in hopes of being picked up as a free agent.
I really would like someone to provide concrete evidence that Kaepernick is out of a job because of his kneeling, and not by his own offseason free agency gamble combined with poor stats. Until that's presented, I resolve that GMs and coaches are in the interests of managing salary caps and winning, not discriminating against Kaepernick.
I understand that being a private organization, the NFL has the right to fire Kaepernick regardless of his right to freedom of expression and protesting. It isn’t unjust but rather unfair, and Kaepernick most likely was aware of the consequences and responses due to his actions. Despite the possible backlash, he still took a kneel, and for that, I respect and praise Kaepernick. It is important to note that NFL requires players to be present on the sideline during the national anthem, thus, whether may must salute the flag is a matter that is left out, left to the reader's interpretation, just like the elastic clause or the tenth amendment. In my opinion, while there are other ways to protest, Kaepernick’s was the most effective due to the amount of eyes and attention he caught. While some may argue that he is disrespecting the military by kneeling, I want to bring to attention the purpose our army fights: for liberty and security. The military protects the United States citizens, and in turn fights for their rights. However, if African Americans (along with other minorities) are being ostracized, harassed, discriminated, and stereotyped due to their race, religion, sexual orientation, etc., then those rights that the military fights to uphold are being devalued and violated. Therefore, it makes perfect sense for Kaepernick to use a platform where republicans and democrats alike gather.
I do think that it is unfair that the NFL fired him. While it is ultimately up to them, I hope there were other reasons why he was fired besides kneeling during the national anthem because I do not think a mild, peaceful protest should mean he is fired. I think it is important for looked up to public figures to use their platform to stand up for what they believe in. It is nice to have an NFL player who is demonstrating activism because in the past NFL players have not always set great examples. There was probably another way Kaepernick could have protested but he definitely did get his point across and he sparked discussions.
I understand the NFL's point of view; they are paying him to do what is expected of him, which in this case is to do his part by participating in the national anthem. They do not see him using a time when he's "working" as a place to exhibit free speech. However, I do not believe it is fair for Kaepernick to be fired over this. We are guaranteed free speech, and for him to be fired over exercising his right is unjust. He has not broken any rules on free speech and it is my opinion that he should not have lost his job over this.
I believe that flying a flag at half mast is different from kneeling during the national anthem. While flying the flag at half mast is usually used to signify a tragedy, kneeling during the national anthem is usually viewed as an act of protest. In Kaepernick's case, however, his reason for kneeling seems to incorporate both thoughts: in response to recent tragedies against African Americans in our country, he kneeled in protest as a result of the injustice.
Post a Comment