Racism has always been an issue of concern in America, the practice starting in the early days of the nation where the minority groups of Native Americans and the people of color were considered inferior to the white Americans. The 21 st century, however, saw a decline in the biased treatment of the people of color, with black activists and political leaders spearheading this historical turnaround. Nonetheless, prejudice against the minority people of color was not entirely scrubbed, with traces of open and hidden mistreatment common in the 22 nd -century-America. Black people in the country face a higher level of victimization by police officers, a study in 2016 indicating black males between 15-34 years of age were nine times more likely to be killed by America’s law enforcement officers, compared to other Americans. These statistics are alarming, especially considering that very few or no political figures are concerned with the issue. With the government unconcerned and the problem growing with each passing day, athletes have taken responsibility of tackling the problem, using their status as celebrated individuals to show the country the crippling menace of racism that is crippling America today (Scott, 2017) . Kneeling, linking arms or raising of fists during the national anthem has been a way to voice the black people’s stand against systematic oppression, and showing they cannot take pride in a country which progresses this subjugation.
Colin Kaepernick is credited with starting the “Take a knee’ protests” in 2016, these aimed at highlighting the rising bigotry and restore the country’s commitment to racial equality in all areas of life. According to him, he chooses this means as the best and most respectable way of highlighting the issue but has since been labeled as ungrateful, and unpatriotic, failing to respect the flag of the United States. Despite this, the practice has been widely adopted by N.F.L. (National Football League) and NBA athletes, sports where more than 70 percent of the players are black. State officials, including President Trump, has ridiculed the black athletes engaged in the racial inequality protests, suggesting the owners of N.F.L. should fire the players involved in the movements, and further calling them “sons of bitches (Willingham, 2017) .” The cancellation of Golden State Warriors basketball player Steph Curry’s visit to the White House also emphasizes the politicians desire to suppress the equality movement.
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The progress of the United States insinuates a decline in racial equality in the country. With many people ignorant of the deteriorating state of the country, I believe it is right for the athletes to take action and remind the people on the necessity of equal rights and treatment across all American cultures. Records are detailing police conduct report at least 222 black Americans have been killed by police across America, one year since Kaepernick’s first protest, one of these, the killing of 18-year old Kenney Watkins coming only two days after the protest (Waldron, 2017). These high numbers of brutal murders serve to highlight the plight of the black community in America and consequently the necessity of this initiative by the athletes.
Protests by athletes have been criticized by many people, who deem them unpatriotic. I, however, differ from their opinion and instead believe that these critics only claim so to obscure the genuine message being passed. According to the acclaimed scholar Michael Eric Dyson, patriotism entails deep caring for one’s country to the extent which one holds it accountable for the highest values and is also reward and willing to fight to make it the best it can be. By pointing to the shortcomings and how to improve, the athletes at patriotically and mean to make the nation better (Gundy, 2017). Also, I support them because as role models to the young and other members of the society, athletes should push for the attainment of the best standards for all people, and in turn assist the black people and other minority groups enjoy their freedom and life in the United States.
References
Gundy, S. V. (2017, November 14). Detroit Pistons Coach: Athletes Who Protest Are Patriots . Retrieved from TIME: http://time.com/5016104/stan-van-gundy-nfl-protests/
Scott, E. (2017, September 27). When NFL players protest racism, some critics see only ‘millionaire athletes’ who should be silent . Retrieved from The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/09/27/when-nfl-players-protest-racist-some-critics-see-only-millionaire-athletes-who-should-be-silent/?utm_term=.d2b012827584
Waldron, T. (2017, August 25). Police killed at least 223 black Amerian in the year COlin Kaepernick's first protest . Retrieved from Huffington Post: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/colin-kaepernick-police-killings-black-americans_us_599c4099e4b04c532f447939
Willingham, A. (2017, September 27). The #TakeAKnee protests have always been about race. Period. Retrieved from CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2017/09/27/us/nfl-anthem-protest-race-trump-trnd/index.html
