Students, staff discuss national issue

History students learn the importance of respect from family, within culture, politics and social gatherings. In America, a national anthem protest has created a debate on patriotism, respect and racial discrimination. Campus staff and students weigh in on the issue and share their perspective of the protests.

Junior high leadership advisor and history teacher, Hallie Rojeski, discusses her perspective on the protests.

“Our country has had guidelines for showing respect to the flag,” Rojeski said. “You have it flying during the day and then take it down at night. You put your hand over your heart; you take hats off and stand at attention. Anything different than that would be considered disrespectful. Patriotism is building your country up, not tearing it down.”

Throughout American history, Americans watch major events and the people that changed the United States forever. For example, Martin Luther King Jr., played a major role in the African American Civil Rights Movement in an attempt to end racial discrimination. As for events, it can be as simple as the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner“. This anthem, written in the early 1800s by John Stafford Smith, continues to live within countless American lives.

This patriotic song encapsulates American history for many students, and for many, extols the country’s hardships and culture. It reminds citizens of their freedom that they have today. Traditionally, people sing it before a sports game. In the past, listeners stand and face the flag, with their hand on their heart, while singing/reciting the song.

Our country has had guidelines for showing respect to the flag. You have it flying during the day and then take it down at night. You put your hand over your heart; you take hats off and stand at attention. Anything different than that would be considered disrespectful. Patriotism is building your country up, not tearing it down. — Hallie Rojeski, junior high teacher

However, this stance began to change in 2016. NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick created a national stir when he sat down and/or knelt during the national anthem, to show protest against racial discrimination. His lone protest and subsequent resignation from the San Francisco 49ers reverberates across the nation.

Continuing on, more and more players are taking a stand and many more have knelt along with their teammates. People question whether this is acceptable or not, and some go as far as questioning why they should even play it when people are going to show disrespect. An article published Wednesday, Oct. 4, on the Fresno Bee, by Mark T. Harris, ties why the national anthem should be played at sports events, despite the rising objections from players, fans and others.

For many, the definition of respect varies based on where their individual morals come from. The Merriam Webster dictionary’s number one definition of respect is, “a relation or reference to a particular thing or situation.” But this does not satisfy the question of what respect actually is. In reality, there is no standard of what respect should look like, but it is merely an opinion.

Senior Wyatt Koop says he was born into a family that values respect, but was also taught to not sit idle and stand up when he believes something is wrong.

“Respecting the national anthem is standing up, with your hand over your heart while it plays,” Koop said. “Other people should at least stand in acknowledgment of the national anthem, along with removing their hats. I think that these players have an entitled opinion, but that opinion should never include the act of kneeling during the anthem. Since it is their job to play a sport, you should leave your opinion at the door like a regular job concerning these matters.”

With the right to express opinion in mind, Brandon Brogan, ‘19, believes standing is the right thing to do during the anthem but suggests that these players have a First Amendment freedom to express what is happening in this way.

“I view what is happening as something very dumb, but it is nothing we as the general population can control,” Brogan said. “It is their choice. They view what is happening different than how we view it; they have their views. We have ours. Personally, I would stand up and put my hand over my heart because I know that it is the right thing to do. That is how I was raised. I respect the flag and what it stands for.”

Senior Cathryn VanderKooi feels she cannot relate. The struggles the African American community has endured is diffult to understand.

“I personally think that this is something that the African American community has struggled with, and so if they decide to take a knee at the anthem, that’s their choice,” VanderKooi said. “I personally don’t have a problem with it just because I feel like I don’t have a voice because I am Caucasian. I can never really understand the struggles they are going through.”

With these protests sparking up, more and more people are witnessing individuals who will become a part of it and who will stand against it. Many believe this right comes along with the freedom Americans have earned. The First Amendment guarantees the right to voice individual opinion.

The Feather encourages readers to comment on what they think respecting the national anthem and other protests link to expressing individual opinion.

For more articles, read News Engagement Day emphasizes student involvement. For on the national anthem protests, read Join the discussion: Kaepernick sits for national anthem.

Nathan Mount can be reached via email: Nate Mount, Instagram, and Twitter.