Initiated by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick as a silent protest against police brutality, the practice of kneeling during the national anthem has caused intense discussions and divided opinions throughout the United States.
A high school football game in Monroe added a new layer to the dispute as individuals from all walks of life join in or oppose the movement.
Following Kaepernick’s lead, the football squad at Monroe High School kneeled during the playing of the national anthem before a game.
The game officials responded with a complaint of their own, however. In reaction, football officials Ernie Lunardelli, 54, and Anthony Lunardelli, 27, left the field. They decided they couldn’t sit back and let the high school students “disrespect” America in that way.
The complexity of the anthem protests is shown by this anecdote. One camp includes proponents of the kneeling protest strategy, such as Colin Kaepernick and the Monroe football players.
They want to raise awareness on issues they find important by capitalizing on the song’s widespread recognition and popularity: the national anthem.
People like the Lunardellis may be found on the opposing team. The flag and the national anthem embody the hopes, dreams, and sacrifices of the American people in their eyes. By telling NJ.com, “I’m not in favor of anyone disrespecting our country, our flag, the armed forces,” Ernie exemplified this point of view.
He was deeply moved by the deed and said that he believes the pregame ritual should be focused only on football and patriotism even if he recognizes that everyone has the right to protest.
Furthermore, Ernie said, “Whoever is disrespecting that flag and the national anthem, that’s who I have a problem with.” His words reflect the views of many Americans who consider protesting during the national anthem to be an act of disrespect.
But the Monroe High School event and the national discussion that has followed pose a number of concerns: Does a logo or anthem have more than one meaning? Is it conceivable that each side is, in its own way, trying to do what it thinks is right?
The Lunardellis’ choice to withdraw from active duty has far-reaching consequences. The game’s legality is called into question by Ernie, who says, “That game should not count now because they did not have the right personnel on the field.”
He thinks the two cadets who took their place were not properly vetted or carded, which might compromise the fairness of the game.
Moreover, Ernie has sought legal counsel, which suggests that the protest and counterprotest may have repercussions far beyond the football field.
The dispute about anthem protests in the United States as a whole may be seen in miniature at the Monroe High School football game.
Although kneeling during the anthem first signified a direct protest against police brutality, its significance has grown and shifted as other communities have accepted or rejected the practice.
The tension between free expression and reverence for national symbols is at the core of this debate. This incident at Monroe High School shows that there may be as many different interpretations of a protest as there are eyewitnesses.
As the discussion continues, it’s crucial that people on both sides have productive conversations, learn to identify the concerns and emotions that motivate their positions, and work together to create a more peaceful world.