A video capturing high school football players kneeling during the National Anthem has recently gone viral on Facebook. For over a year, discussions regarding the National Anthem protests have further divided the American political scene. There are two main sides to this controversial subject: those who believe that kneeling is disrespecting to our country, and those who stand with the football players decisions to knee. To many people, the meaning of the national anthem goes beyond just standing for a minute with your right hand over your heart. The National Anthem represents the unity and patriotism of America. Protesting the National Anthem is often viewed as a direct insult to the American military and its service members. Even Donald Trump, weighed in, stating that these protests are disrespectful and that “The issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race. It is about respect for our Country, Flag and National Anthem.” However, many people still support the football players’ right to take a knee and protest racial discrimination in America.

I support the NFL football players’ protests. I have seen firsthand in how discrimination can affect the people around me. For example, last year, during a travel volleyball match, my coach assumed that our opponents, an all black team, were far less skilled than my team. Racial profiling is a daily occurrence in our community, and by supporting athletes in power who are pushing for racial equality, we may see change in our community and America as a whole.