Why We Knelt
Emily Kenny
Photo by Emily Kenny
October 13, 2017
I’m Alyssa Parker, and I am a sophomore from Des Moines. I am a cheerleader and also the President of the Black Student Union at BVU. Homecoming Saturday, September 30, myself, and a few fellow cheerleaders decided to silently protest during the National Anthem.
Protesting the national anthem is something that started last year with Colin Kaepernick. When asked why he was doing it, he answered, “I am not going to stand up and show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.”
I am protesting for the same exact reasons. Black people in this country, especially this year, are being killed without justice, and we still are not getting basic equal rights. Every time a black man or woman is killed, they lose their voice to speak out on these issues. I want to use my voice every single day to talk about these injustices, and speak on behalf of these men and women who no longer can.
First, I wanted to start off with the fact that this is not about disrespecting the military or the flag, and that’s the biggest misconception.
Women and men fight in the military every day for our freedom and rights such as freedom of speech, petition, and assembly. If you think kneeling during the national anthem is disrespectful, is it because you think that song represents our country?
The Pledge of Allegiance says, “liberty and justice for all.” I know everyone knows those 6 words. We learned them when we were kids; they were embedded in us for quite a long time. When we say, “liberty and justice for all,” we have to give that. If you want black men and women to stand for the anthem, we should get to receive what was promised to every citizen.
When a black man gets shot and a cop goes on paid vacation, and no charges are brought up, what is the family of this black man supposed to do? Get over it? Stop being mad? Imagine what it would feel like to lose your son, husband, brother, father, to the hands of someone who was supposed to be protecting them. Then every single time you want to talk about it or get some answers, someone is always telling you to just shut up, or sit down.
That is how some black men and women feel every single day. I wake up and read the news every day and my heart sinks, knowing another person who looks like me, looks just like my dad, was killed.
All we want, as men and women of color, is when lives are taken, proper steps are taken to ensure justice. However, society descends into chaos when we want that. I understand this is a controversial topic, but I think that in the anger and misunderstanding, the message and purpose, are getting lost. People are focusing on the form of protest and not what we are actually protesting about.
To view an alternative viewpoint, written by Opinion Editor, Olivia Wieseler, click here.
BVU Football Player • Oct 16, 2017 at 2:46 pm
As a member of the football team who stood, I respect my teammates’ opinions about this issue and stand by their decisions. As a citizen of the United States who has a lot of respect for our history while acknowledging the ugly parts, as well as being a personal friend and family member to a number of veterans as well as currently serving U.S. military members, I also respect their views on standing for the anthem as a symbol not of America’s past, but its symbolism.
While the kneeling is not meant to be a disrespect to the armed forces, can there not be an element of an unintentional message? Many different people and groups have customs that can be unintentionally violated, and not standing for the national anthem is a social taboo that long predates the current discussion surrounding it.
At the same time, the silencing of free speech of fellow Americans is something we as American citizens should not allow. The protest was meant to start a discussion, and it did exactly that, unfortunately resulting in negative attacks on social media. While those who spoke out against kneeling are just as entitled to their opinion as those who knelt, I cannot help but feel somewhat ashamed of their actions in silencing a peaceful protest.
What I’m saying is there is no ‘right’ answer to this issue. Both sides have completely valid arguments, and anecdotal evidence that ultimately means nothing. To legislate this issue for one side or the other would act against the democratic process of civil discourse.
Tom Turner • Oct 15, 2017 at 1:14 pm
When Francis Scott Key looked towards Ft McHenry in the early morning hours and saw the American Flag still standing it inspired him to write the national anthem which is about our country and the soldiers fighting for it. The anthem is not about race or social injustice. So please explain to me why protesters in Baltimore defamed F S Keys statue by painting “Racist Anthem” on it.
Jerod • Oct 13, 2017 at 3:23 pm
https://www.google.com/amp/nypost.com/2017/09/26/all-that-kneeling-ignores-the-real-cause-of-soaring-black-homicides/amp/
https://www.google.com/amp/dailysignal.com/2017/10/04/left-ignore-black-black-crime/amp/
Keith Witzke • Oct 13, 2017 at 1:10 pm
You say you’re protesting because blacks are shot by cops and no justice is served? Why don’t you protest black on black violence that kills so many more?
Chris • Oct 13, 2017 at 3:16 pm
Keith you refuse to listen. You don’t think black communities talk and speak out on black on black crime? Well they do? Curious where you are from and what true understanding you have of minority communities. They aren’t protesting “All Police”. They are protesting those who are police that abuse their power. Look at the ridiculous number of incidents where police were not charged in cases where there was a black victim. These protests aren’t saying black people don’t commit crimes or are above the law. They are simply pointing out an obvious injustice.
Keith Witzke • Oct 13, 2017 at 7:57 pm
You talk about police that abuse their power? When someone is stopped by a cop why is to so hard to do what you are told? Seems most shootings are when someone decides to fight.
Lucy • Oct 13, 2017 at 3:27 pm
The sad part is that people of color have been protesting against ALL crime in general with marches and rallies in the streets but that doesn’t get covered by the media…and 9 times out of 10 when there is black on black crime if a person is apprehended there is prosecution and/or that person goes to jail/prison. The difference is that in the vast majority of crimes against black people by cops there isn’t any prosecution…at times no attempts are made even when there is video evidence that can’t be disputed…that is why people are angry…It annoys me when people deflect with “what about black on black crime?…well, what about white on white crime? According to FBI statistics, the rates are similar when you collect data not just in cities but in rural areas as well.
Keith Witzke • Oct 13, 2017 at 7:59 pm
There’s a difference between protesting and burning and looting your community.
Chris • Oct 14, 2017 at 8:10 pm
Kneeling isn’t burning and looting a community. That’s about as peaceful as it gets. You’re grasping at straws.