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Should Athletes Be Allowed To Stand For The National Anthem?

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Americans have been conducting peaceful demonstrations for years. These demonstrations are almost always held in protest of an important cause. Sports figures also protest for different causes they feel strongly about. However, because they are in the spotlight, sometimes these public figures are not treated equally when they try to voice their opinion about a cause. One such cause is the correct tribute to our country's song. As a result, they are often punished for openly expressing themselves. Consequently, sports figures, such as professional athletes, should not be penalized when some choose not to stand for the National Anthem. The freedom of speech and expression is every American citizen's right. Every American citizen has the right to speak freely about one’s opinions and ideas without being penalized. However, professional athletes are often treated differently …show more content…

There is no law that states one is required to stand for the National anthem. However, the U.S. code is a unwritten law that states that the point when the anthem is being played, people should face the flag and put their right hand over the heart . However, the U.S. code is not an legal authorization. Therefore, the sports figures who do not stand for the flag are not disobeying the law. Athletes can be encouraged to stand for the anthem but not required to do so. Any sport figures have the right to exercise their right, therefore a punishment for not standing for the anthem would be unfair. Overall, athletes should be able to choose to stand for the anthem without punishment. Every American citizen has the right of freedom of speech regardless if others disagree. Not standing for the anthem is not being disrespectful to those who serve the country. Also, making the choice of remaining seated during the National Anthem is not against the law. It is important to know one's rights, so no unfair punishment is

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But, Bill Ryan, a NFL coach said “I think it's a way of showing pride and nationality but at the same time it is disrespecting our troops no matter how you do or say it.” Many athletes since then have started kneeling or sitting in large groups or praying together during the national anthem. Another famous player Brandon Marshall kneeled because he did not agree with police brutality. Colin has said he does not hate America but is against social injustice, not the troops of America. Thus, the same reasons players have started kneeling, praying or sitting during the anthem.

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It is the Soldier, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote. It is the Soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag. And whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.” Flag of USA is really important to US soldiers. Not showing respect to US flag may mean disrespecting US Army.

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Jerry Brewer’s Washington Post article, “The NFL Beat Trump. Soundly”, gives the information on how our NFL players and our president Donald Trump are having a controversial dispute. Jerry Brewer states “the actions of the NFL players which has many American football fans enraged by their actions during the national anthem”. Brewer didn’t have too many examples in proving that the NFL had beat trump. In this article, Brewer did not use rhetoric well in this article to explain how the NFL had beaten trump.

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They make millions of money, they have the eye of the United States audience, and they seem to make a big statement when they do something in front of the crowd. Why did these players not kneel years ago in protest? Better now than never is the only conclusion I can

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And you clearly don’t understand the people who make you stars and make you rich (McLaughlin 1). Point out the NFL players disrespect our country, he protest against them. Meanwhile, McLaughlin explain they like football and make the NFL players to be the famous and rich people. Regardless not NFL players don’t know the country and god are the most important things in the author life. That’s why McLaughlin wants to protest NFL player, and he suggests the people try to do the same.

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“Free Speech, Football, and Freedom: Why the NFL Should Not Compel Its Players to Speak to the Media”, by Sohil Shah, with his J.D for Emory University of Law and his B.A, from Northwestern University. This article was written and published in the fall of 2014, in the Texas Review of Entertainment & Sports Laws. In Shah’s article he argues how the NFL forces players to talk to the media are a due-process violations of the First Amendment right of freedom of speech and how he does not believe that the NFL should make players talk to the media if they do not want to. Therefore, with his article being an argumentative essay, Shah also provides actual court cases to support his. One case which involved Seattle Seahawk’s running back, Marshawn Lynch,

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A controversial topic currently circulating throughout the media and society, is professional athletes kneeling during the National Anthem. In my opinion, this is a completely useless, unnecessary action done just for attention. The theory behind the action is supposed to represent unity. Unity is not achieved by causing controversy, but it’s achieved by coming together and supporting each other when times get tough.

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Although there are some people that still have that slave mentality and refuse to treat people of color with the same respect. Therefore, probable cause shows that refusing to stand for the National Anthem is appropriate and justified because of the First Amendment an individual will stand for what he feels is right or fall for

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When the Star Spangled Banner plays during any event, people decide to stand up and show their dignity. Recently in the NFL many players have decided to take a knee during the playing of the anthem. When the national anthem plays, wherever you are, people should stand up and show their respect. Kneeling during the playing of the national anthem is a disrespect to our country. President Donald Trump stated, “It’s important that NFL players stand for our national anthem next game.

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The National Anthem goes on every single time before a game begins. Each time it is being sung everyone usually stands up to show respect for America. While, news said that a few athletic players that have been sitting down, while the National Anthem goes on. This keeps happening more and more slowly because those athletics don’t believe that America lives up to that potential in the song as it once represented. As well as the incidents that happened with the police of excessive force being used against people unassertively.

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George Washington once said, “If the freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” I agree with this quote, and feel that America should never lose this right, as it gives people freedom, unlike the society in the book, Anthem. In my opinion, America is not an Anthem society because America is a land of freedom, not censorship, due to our individual rights such as the freedom of speech, which gives us freedom of thought and expression. To start, America is not an Anthem society because America is a land of freedom, not censorship, to due to our individual rights, such as the freedom of speech. The freedom of speech is the ability to say what you like about any subject to any one.

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This I cannot argue with, the constitution clearly states that everyone in America has equal rights and freedoms under the supreme law of the land. With this being said, I cannot say they are breaking the law, what I am saying however, is that knelling during our country’s song shows a lack of maturity, dignity and respect. Standing during the national anthem is a symbol of respect and thankfulness. There have been men and woman who have served our country and have lost the ability to walk or stand. For someone who is willing to give up

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