In 2024, Simone Biles, the celebrated Olympic gymnast, made headlines not just for her extraordinary athletic achievements but for her bold stance on a highly contentious issue.
Biles petitioned to impose penalties on athletes selected as U.S. flag bearers at the Olympic opening ceremony if they kneel during the national anthem, arguing that such actions insult the honor of the country.
This move has sparked widespread debate, reflecting the deep division in public opinion regarding the act of kneeling during the anthem as a form of protest.
The controversy surrounding kneeling during the national anthem dates back to 2016 when NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick first knelt to protest racial injustice and police brutality.
Since then, the gesture has become a powerful symbol of resistance and has been adopted by athletes across various sports, igniting both support and backlash.
Biles’ petition is rooted in the belief that kneeling during the anthem, especially by those chosen to carry the nation’s flag, undermines the spirit of unity and respect that the flag symbolizes.
Supporters of Biles’ petition argue that the role of a flag bearer is to represent the entire nation, embodying its values and ideals. They contend that kneeling during the national anthem in this context is inappropriate, as it shifts the focus from national pride to individual protest.
This perspective emphasizes that the flag and anthem are symbols of national unity, and any form of protest during such ceremonial moments is seen as disrespectful to the country as a whole.
On the other hand, critics of Biles’ stance argue that kneeling during the anthem is a legitimate form of peaceful protest protected by the First Amendment.
They assert that the act of kneeling is not an insult to the country but rather a powerful statement against systemic injustices that persist within it.
For these critics, penalizing athletes for such actions would be an infringement on their right to free speech and a step backward in the fight for social justice.
The debate is further complicated by the broader cultural and political context. In recent years, the United States has been deeply polarized over issues of race, identity, and patriotism.
The act of kneeling during the anthem has become a flashpoint in these larger cultural wars, with both sides using it to signal their stance on these broader issues.
Biles, as one of the most prominent athletes in the country, finds herself at the center of this controversy, with her petition reflecting the complexities and tensions inherent in this national debate.
It’s important to note that Biles’ petition comes at a time when the Olympics themselves have become a stage for political and social expression.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has long struggled with how to balance the apolitical nature of the Games with the reality that athletes, as global citizens, often bring their personal and political beliefs to the forefront.
The IOC’s rules regarding political gestures, including kneeling, have been the subject of much debate and have evolved over time in response to changing global attitudes.
In conclusion, Simone Biles’ petition to punish U.S. flag bearers who kneel during the national anthem at the Olympics is a reflection of the ongoing debate over the role of athletes in social and political movements.
While some view her stance as a necessary defense of national honor and unity, others see it as an infringement on free speech and a failure to acknowledge the legitimate grievances that such protests aim to highlight.
As the 2024 Olympics approach, this issue is likely to remain a contentious and defining aspect of the Games, shaping not only the narrative around the athletes involved but also the broader conversation about patriotism, protest, and the role of sports in society.
The NBA’s kneeling during the national anthem is creating a fever. So why do players do it and where does this action come from?
An image that defined the NBA as it officially restarted last weekend.
Just before the game between the Utah Jazz and the New Orleans Pelicans, the coaching staff and players from both teams stood side by side, locked arms and all knelt together as the American national anthem played inside the arena.
It was a landmark image. For the first time in NBA history, players knelt for the national anthem, and more importantly, they did so in unison, which made the message even more powerful.
Since 1981, the NBA has had a rule requiring players to stand during the national anthem. However, the trend started by football player Colin Kaepernick has now spread to the NBA.
Amid the storm of calls for social justice for black people, demanding that police officers stand up and take responsibility for the deaths of names like George Floyd or Breonna Taylor, powerful images of kneeling appear more and more.
From LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers to the reigning NBA champions Toronto Raptors, everyone knelt as a form of peaceful protest against the social problems facing America.
So where did the practice of kneeling during the American national anthem begin? Let’s go back to 2016 and Colin Kaepernick, whose name has been in the news for the past few days.
ORIGIN AND MEANING OF THE TREND OF KNEELING UNDER THE AMERICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM
Eric Reid and Colin Kaepernick (right) kneeling during the US national anthem
During an NFL preseason game, two 49ers players, Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid, suddenly knelt down when the American national anthem “The Star-spangled Banner” was played.
The reason given by the two players was to “call attention to the issue of racism, social injustice and police brutality against black people in America” .
Kneeling during the national anthem is a powerful act, so Kaepernick and Reid had to think carefully before coming to the final decision.
“We consulted with many people, including a former Green Beret, several NFL players, and other prominent figures in North American professional sports. Ultimately, we chose to kneel because it was a peaceful act.”
WHY DO MANY PEOPLE OPPOSE THE ACTION OF KNEELING TO SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM?
It is a fact that the act of kneeling during the national anthem is opposed by many people, not only by politicians but also by a part of the American people. They believe that this act is disrespectful to those who have shed blood or sacrificed their lives to fight for the peace of the country.
For other politicians, especially US President Donald Trump, he considers this act disgusting and has no other meaning than to disregard national values.
Megan Rapinoe, the superstar of the US women’s soccer team, kneels during the national anthem despite playing for the national team
Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid, however, have remained faithful to their actions. This time, it was Kaepernick’s turn to speak out to clarify his decision to kneel during the national anthem:
“I’m not protesting the national anthem or America. I’m protesting the organized violence that police are doing to black people.
There are black people dying on the streets, and the people involved are on leave, still getting paid, and not being held accountable by the law.”
While Donald Trump still insists on calling it an act of “treason,” many are beginning to see the real purpose of Colin’s kneeling during the national anthem, which is the lack of accountability in the justice system and how police officers can easily get away with it despite still showing their brutality towards African Americans.
