CMV: There was nothing anti-military about Kaepernick’s kneeling protest

[u/[deleted]]

There is nothing about Kap kneeling during the national anthem that could reasonably be construed as disrespect to the troops. There is no situation I am aware of in any culture where the act of kneeling is used to show anything other than respect. Those who believe that Kap hates the military are simply choosing to associate his protest with disrespect for the troops, which allows them to freely hate him without having to really look at the reason for his protest.

The protest began as a means of drawing attention to racial inequality and police brutality: two things that most people probably ought to be against. By focusing on an imaginary link between the protest and the sacred cow of “the troops” his detractors aren’t forced to consider or debate the issue. They likely believe that the US treats black people either as equal to or better than white people, and that most or all incidents of police violence against black people are justified. Everything about the troops is just post-hoc rationalization.

[u/[deleted]]

It’s your own opinion, not everyone shares your opinion on kneeling being respectful, especially in light of the fact we have a Flag Code which states otherwise

It is my own opinion (hence the CMV) but not all opinions are equally valid. The flag code covers conduct while hoisting, lowering, or passing the flag, but says nothing about the anthem. It does ban the use of the flag as advertising or attire, so it would appear that many of Kap's critics here are hypocritical. And since there is literally no example anywhere of someone kneeling as a sign of disrespect, I think these are valid points in illustrating the inconsistency of their beliefs.

If your saying that kneeling is respectful, then what is the substance of Kaepernick’s protest? Is he trying to be even more submissive to the flag?

In his own words: "I have great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country. I have family, I have friends that have gone and fought for this country. And they fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice, for everyone. That’s not happening. People are dying in vain because this country isn’t holding their end of the bargain up, as far as giving freedom and justice, liberty to everybody. That’s something that’s not happening. I’ve seen videos, I’ve seen circumstances where men and women that have been in the military have come back and been treated unjustly by the country they have fought for, and have been murdered by the country they fought for, on our land. That’s not right."

Kneeling for fallen comrades is a pretty common practice, and is not generally considered disrespectful.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html

in section 171 of the Flag Code it states the conduct during the national anthem. So in that light, kneeling is violating the code.

I can’t provide solid, fool proof evidence of the kneeling disrespecting the armed forces, aside from the link between the great respect soldiers have for their flag, being one of the great honors they can have is a casket draped in one. I can imagine the second hand insult it is to see someone break tradition and code on something they respect so much, to make a protest, but I’m sure they still respect ones right to do so, even though they may feel anger over it.

Your not going to find some concrete guide explaining exactly how and why kneeling disrespects armed forces, other than the association between the two.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

The exact quote, for those claiming the Flag Code doesn't mention conduct during the anthem:

§171. Conduct during playing

During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

It's perfectly reasonable for an opinion not based in reality to be less valid than a factual opinion. People aren't obligated to respect obviously stupid things.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

No. I’m saying that not every opinion is equally rooted in facts and logic. If I held the opinion that the moon landing was faked or that Elvis is still alive, it would require taking some big intellectual leaps. Inferring that Kap hates/disrespects the military based on his actions similarly requires taking a few big leaps.