The Pioneer Volume 51, Issue 2

8 / SPORTS
Oct. 25, 2017 / Vol. 51, Issue 2
National Anthem debate:
Kneel, stand or sit?
Students, staff
discuss recent NFL
protests
BY JUSTIN NGO
Contributing Writer
THE PROTESTS BEGAN WITH NFL
PLAYER Colin Kaepernick nearly 13
months ago.
He said in numerous interviews he was
bringing awareness about police brutality
and the present-day racial inequality in
the U.S. by kneeling during the national
anthem at the start of his NFL games. His
actions gained traction with other football
players in the NFL during the 2016-17
season.
On Sept. 25, President Donald Trump
wrote a tweet, calling out NFL players
for their protest and how it disrespects
veterans and the U.S. The tweet helped act
as a catalyst and motivated some players
to protest less, but others increased their
protests. The motivations behind the
current protests are muddled with different
issues like Donald Trump, police brutality,
or racial inequality.
The protests have been supported by
some veterans, athletes, and students at
Pierce.
Pierce basketball player Frank Banks,
who is studying kinesiology, said, “I
understand the motivation behind their
Operations manager
Doug Carson.
NFL players protesting race
issues by kneeling during the
American National Anthem has
divided the public.
protests and how they don’t tolerate
police brutality and the racial problems
in America. I also understand how the
song was made for veterans, but it doesn’t
matter if people disrespect the flag
because people of color are still getting
disrespected.”
Another form of protesting is raising
a fist in solidarity of racial inequality
and police brutality during the national
anthem. This form of protesting references
the Black Panther Party and it hasn’t been
commented on. Some athletes, including
Banks, said the national anthem has direct
historical roots of slavery and racism.
Athletic director Duncan Steven said,
“I think it’s creating a conversation in the
U.S. about injustice and inequality. We
don’t have a policy on protesting, but we
allow our players to express their freedom
of speech and protest.”
Veteran student Nathan DiCarlo, who
is studying graphic design, said, “They
make a good point by bringing awareness
to police brutality and racial equality. It’s
Megan Quint/ Staff Photo Illustration
a silent protest and their exercising their
rights. The same constitutional rights that
I fought for them. “
Operations manager Doug Carson
said, “I think Colin Kaepernick and the
other players have a constitutional right to
protest, but the owners can choose to fire
the players as well.”
Veteran student
Nathan DiCarlo
Photos by Justin Ngo /
Contributing Photos