This past weekend, President Trump took issue with NFL players like Colin Kaepernick who choose to protest racial inequality in our country by kneeling during the national anthem. He claimed these players were disrespecting our flag by refusing to stand during the anthem and called for their immediate dismissal from the league. By making the issue about flag etiquette, instead of violence and discrimination against minorities, President Trump is fundamentally misrepresenting these players’ actions and intentions. However, given his position and influence, many are also beginning to share his perspective and are outraged by these players’ silent protests.
Since Trump’s remarks, news pundits have been commenting about the appropriate way and time to protest. American Legion National Commander, Denise Rohan, called the NFL’s behavior contemptuous, citing the millions of servicemen and women who have died for the flag. I disagree with Ms. Rohan. Our brave military men and women did not sacrifice their lives for the flag, but the freedom in which the flag represents. The right to protest, ensured by the first amendment, is one of these such freedoms and those who engage in meaningful and peaceful protest should not be rebuked.
When talking about the first amendment, we often focus on the freedom of religion or press constitutionally guaranteed to Americans. However, the right to assembly and petition are also American traditions. From the Civil Rights era’s March on Washington to the anti-Vietnam protests, opinions, demands and solidarity have been expressed in this nation by demonstrations, sit-ins and rallies. Condemning peaceful gathering or dissent is un-American, claiming it has no role in our political climate is uninformed, and construing protest with disrespect is untrue. Kaepernick and the 200 players who locked arms or knelt in solidarity last Sunday were not being ungrateful, but continuing the tradition to challenge our country’s culture while promoting positive change in our communities. They cannot be punished by our government and should not be punished by their employers. As a country, we should be fans of patriots, be them from New England or San Francisco.
This week, Alabama Republican Senate nominee, Judge Roy Moore, pulled a small handgun from his pocket during a rally to prove he was a proud, red-blooded American who believed in his second amendment right. Imagine if he had shown support for the first amendment with such theatrics, perhaps welcoming some of his critics on stage and thanking them for being civilly engaged. While no candidate would actually do this, we should demand respect for protesters from our politicians. This past November, then President Obama chided a crowd for booing a Trump supporter protesting Clinton, “You’ve got an older gentleman who is supporting his candidate, he’s not doing nothing…we live in a country that respects free speech.” Obama understood what his predecessor is still struggling to grasp: that participating in nonviolent demonstrations is a form of patriotism.
