The Culture War & Conscience: Standing Because of Love, Not Fear
If you were to go on Google and search up “Colin Kaepernick,” you would see images of him kneeling during the National Anthem on different occasions due to racial injustice in America. In some searches, you see Colin Kaepernick being labeled as an American activist. The first thought that comes to mind when picturing Colin Kaepernick is him kneeling in protest. How come Kaepernick had to be the image that sports needed to get the ball rolling on racial injustice? Why did the commissioner of the NFL, Roger Gooddell, have to wait until 2020 — four years after the event — when he could finally admit that he was wrong about Kaepernick kneeling?
Kaepernick kneeling sparked a topic of discussion that many had not blinked an eye at, and him doing so in 2016 on national television will only continue the conversation. Where is the misunderstanding when we discuss the importance of why he and others kneeled, raised fists, and even sat during the Anthem? Colin Kaepernick does not hate America, neither do plentiful athletes if you asked them about it. Athletes are standing in solidarity due to this country's racial injustices because they need to vocalize that the United States needs change. They never kneeled against the flag. Athletes kneel during the flag because that was the easiest way to get others to understand that the flag is not representing the people who are being oppressed.
The article that I wanted to focus on and analyze was David French’s piece, titled “This Culture War Isn’t about the Flag; It’s about Conscience.” This article is about standing or kneeling in general, not specifically just in Colin Kaepernick’s case. French’s inflection and analyses in his article are phenomenal. His word choice is exquisite. It is not biased writing or persuasive writing necessarily; it is writing to inform readers and help them understand the meaning of freedom of speech and liberty. French’s role is purely informative in his article, discussing the definition of liberty and freedom of speech.
French makes a great point towards the end of his article, which I wanted to highlight and share with others. French goes into detail about how mandating any form of the Anthem is meaningless. The commissioners of leagues and or teams should not make anyone stand or kneel. It should be their own opinions influenced by their values. This goes for any sport, any country, and any person, no matter their skin color. He discusses former President Donald Trump’s opinions on the matter and how Trump demanded that the NFL punish players who kneel during the National Anthem.
“I want the president to stop demanding that private corporations punish speech he doesn’t like. If football players — or any American — stand for the flag and the anthem, I want them to do so because of their love for this nation, its people, and its ideals, not because they fear the consequences of dissent.” — David French
French uses logos and ethos in his article. He writes to describe what freedom of speech and liberty is, exactly. His article details what the act of representing the flag and the National Anthem is from an academic standpoint. He uses examples from the Supreme Court and from the other perspective of what standing for the National Anthem means. His article is argumentative in that sense, his ability to refute the opposing side using logos is what makes the structure of his article so great.
I believe that French used this theme to argue his point, it’s not that standing for the flag is right or wrong, it’s that mandating such a thing is wrong. The liberty that our country has allows viewpoints and opinions to differ. Everyone’s opinions will differ. My biggest takeaway from the article is the way that French proves that there are flaws in our country’s freedom of speech. French doesn't want leaders of organizations or companies to mandate what an athlete or worker must do, especially when it comes to the topic of racial injustice.
French presents an interesting point: if the players feel that the flag is not representing what they want to see in their communities and among their families, why should they stand? When athletes stand once again, hand over heart, they should feel confident that they made a change and, more importantly, confident in their decision to do so. With this being said, it should not be polarizing to stand for the flag either. This country has lost its ability to have civil discourse and listen.
When the United States represents liberty to all, including freedom of speech, we all will stand together. When the oppressed feel equal, and when athletes feel their brothers, sisters, communities, and family members are safe, the world of sports will stand together. More unified than ever. Out of love, not fear.
