As more players in the NFL protest against the national anthem by taking a knee, people in support of them as well as those opposing them continue to share their opinions with a lot of passion and a lot of caps lock. However, the reason that they are able to share their response to such a provoking issue is because of the same law that allows the football players to express their ideals by taking a knee. This law is the first amendment and in no way should it ever be taken away or restricted because it is an essential right to be able to protest as well as share ideas without the fear of retaliation. These men certainly have the right to stand up for themselves and I believe in their cause but I also see a twinge of disrespect to the men and women past and present that have risked and sacrificed their lives, families, and well being to protect and defend the United States. When these football players kneel for the flag, they may not be seeing all the soldiers, police officers, and first responders who have come home with that flag draped over their coffin. As long as the players come out and say that no disrespect is meant to the men and women who serve this country then I think the protest would be a productive and peaceful means to overcome the adversity that minorities face in America today. This protest to racism can do great things for this country as long as we do not let it divide us even more than we are now.
I found this great video on the protests that hits the topic from almost every angle.