Our national anthem is a very important symbol of our country. A lot of athletes are disrespecting it by kneeling and not standing.

The debate about kneeling or sitting in protest during the national anthem was ignited by Colin Kaepernick in 2016 and escalated to become a nationally divisive issue according to Britannica.

After Kaepernick started his campaign to create awareness about police brutality towards minorities commentators have mainly shifted focus to the patriotic aspect of kneeling rather than the meaning behind it.

Many athletes kneel during the national anthem to racial injustice and police brutality in the United States.

It is not the police’s fault for hurting or injuring people when they are doing destructive riots and protests that are destroying towns and cities. These protests have generated controversy and sparked a public conversation about the protesters’ messages and how they have chosen to deliver them.

Kneeling during the national anthem shows disrespect for the flag and the member of the U.S armed forces that fought for our freedom. Also it makes many fans angry and sows division in our country (According to Britannica).

It is a tradition in the United States to play “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the national anthem, before sporting events. According to the United States Code, those present should stand at attention with right hand over heart.

Kneeling during the national anthem at any event shows disrespect to our country and does not respect the lives that were lost while fighting for our country’s freedom.