With the ongoing protests across America, demanding the basic notion that people shouldn't be subjected to police brutality, another topic has come back into the public discussion.
Violent and destructive protests have some asking why it couldn't be done more peacefully, which, in turn, brings up when this discussion was peaceful. When people would kneel to draw attention to this problem.
However, Donald Trump has made clear his opposition to 'kneeling in general.'
.@PressSec: "The president is very much against kneeling in general."
— Will Steakin (@wsteaks) June 8, 2020
Colin Kaepernick's silent kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 sought to fight this issue. It's been pointed out that the current and ongoing issues were the exact thing Kaepernick was trying to bring attention to with his activism.
Trump, the President of the United States, has been very vocal about his anger over this act. He takes it as an insult to our flag and our troops, purposefully missing the point of the act.
But even, now, with a more extreme form of protest, Trump doesn't long for the days where it was just kneeling.
Which make some wonder how he could be so obstinate.
He's also against black people in general. And against women in general. And against Hispanics in general and against Americans in general.
— Jenifer (@jenifer__5) June 8, 2020
Correction: @PressSec: "Trump is very much unable to kneel, in fact."
— ☇RiotWomenn☇ (@riotwomennn) June 8, 2020
He's also against: Reading, dieting, vegetables, news, facts, fairness, understanding, principles and decency.
— Bob B🎼🎸 (@kitebro) June 8, 2020
From the looks of it, he's similarly against standing up straight. pic.twitter.com/AcsDWKej41
— Kate Lucas (@Kate_Lucas_PDX) June 8, 2020
This has come up again after the NFL has apologized for condemning the protest from the players.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a video statement saying,
"We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people. We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest."
Despite this, Goodell did not mention Kaepernick, and the athlete remains unsigned to this day.
Additionally, there's a religious aspect to Trump's war on kneeling.
Trump thinks kneeling is "weak"
Just like praying and asking forgiveness.
— Trump is Nero (@McTgm404) June 8, 2020
The bible and kneeling go hand in hand
Even in South Carolina and Kentucky people pray on their knees
— Dunner57 (@dunner57) June 8, 2020
Then how does he pray, penitent man that he is? Trump's Press Secretary Declares He 'Is Very Much Against Kneeling in General' https://t.co/dsi3PT3IbT
— Prince Ironic (@princeironic) June 10, 2020
Trump has said he's against kneeling of any kind, unaware that it's common practice in religious services.
— SRGhart (@SrGhart) June 10, 2020
Not too long ago, Trump was accused of using tear gar to clear a church for a photo op. The resulting outcome has continued the debate on the religious nature of our president.
So, to hear him say he's 'against kneeling in general' doesn't bode well. Within many religions, kneeling is an important aspect of faith.
Even outside of religion, kneeling is a show of reverence and humility. The idea that the act of kneeling would be seen as so disrespectful is insane.
Even now, the move has been used to continue peaceful protests.
It was actually an Army vet who suggested to @Kaepernick7 that he kneel, instead of sit, as a sign of respect. And he did.https://t.co/Bdq3w8tOyc
— AquaWave (@AquaWave4) June 9, 2020
Unless it's a cop kneeling on an innocent black man https://t.co/c8aIyvPneo
— Daniel Uhlfelder (@DWUhlfelderLaw) June 8, 2020
Translation: "The president stands for police brutality." https://t.co/kn6W1bvd25
— Morgan J. Freeman (@mjfree) June 8, 2020
As Trump and his administration try to frame the act of kneeling as a sign of disrespect, it's important to remember the reason for the protest.
Support for the black community against police brutality needs to take precedence. And if Trump really wants to stop people from kneeling during the national anthem, maybe he should listen to the reforms being suggest by the protestors.
