# Why is it offensive to kneel during the anthem? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 27, 2017, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435 "2017-09-27T16:19:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/1 "2017-09-27T16:19:19Z")
I searched, and my search function isn’t working well, so maybe this topic is already out there. Anyway, going down on one knee is typically a sign of respect. It what you do before a monarch, if your country has a monarch. So why is it offensive to do during the anthem? If anything, it’s showing greater respect than people who are merely standing. If you want to somehow protest or disrespect the anthem, or the country for which it stands, stay seated. Which, and I have not been following this story closely, because, football, is as I understand it, what the player did initially. It seems to me he should have stuck to sitting. Taking a knee sends a mixed message. Am I missing something? Did he also turn his back on the singer and the flag, or something? Did he make some statement explaining exactly what the knee means? Does it have some significance in football? Someone enlighten me. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/2 "2017-09-27T16:27:01Z")
You aren’t missing anything. The people who are claiming it is disrespectful would sing a different tune if the reason for the protest were different. Indeed, Kap chose kneeling precisely to avoid the appearence of disrespect. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/3 "2017-09-27T16:33:03Z")
“You’re getting your Black Lives Matter all over my anthem/country/sport, stop that!” is the gist of it. ---
**Author:** ![Pantastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/4 "2017-09-27T16:37:04Z")
The people getting upset over this protest are the same ones who say that armed Nazis parading with Tiki Torches and threatening synagogues is just free speech that no one should be bothered by. The ones talking about disrespect to the flag are the same ones who have no problem cutting a hole in the flag and using it as a poncho, dragging it on the ground, or flying the flag dedicated to treason against the US flag. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/5 "2017-09-27T16:37:51Z")
It started with a black person. It draws attention to the mistreatment of black people by the police The President said it was offensive. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/6 "2017-09-27T16:40:10Z")
> [@Pantastic](#): > > The people getting upset over this protest are the same ones who say that armed Nazis parading with Tiki Torches and threatening synagogues is just free speech that no one should be bothered by. The ones talking about disrespect to the flag are the same ones who have no problem cutting a hole in the flag and using it as a poncho, dragging it on the ground, or flying the flag dedicated to treason against the US flag. Just today I saw a person who was ADAMANT that kneeling during the Anthem was disrespectful, post a link to a Robin Williams concert where he(R.W.) is wearing a shirt made out of the flag, and saying how great he is :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/7 "2017-09-27T16:44:02Z")
I have no idea, and in MHO, the hoopla is silly. I believe a subset of our country finds it supremely important that everyone must give their utmost honor to things and notions and symbols…in the exact same manner as everyone else. And if “certain people” are taking a knee during the national anthem, while “people like us” aren’t, then those “certain people” aren’t giving their utmost honor like “people like us” are. The flag isn’t more important than the people it represents, the national anthem isn’t more important than people either. And I daresay most people feel that way, which is why the right-wing is now crying “Won’t someone think of the vets??!?” They’ve adjusted their messaging to make it about people, and not just the flag or national anthem. “Everyone is supposed to \*\*\*stand \*\*\*during the national anthem, but _ **these people** _ are disobeying, so _these people_ are dishonoring the veterans.” Bullshit. It’s non-violent civil disobedience, and there have always been people gasping and clutching their pearls when black people start civilly disobeying. It’s just not _right_, dontcha know. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/8 "2017-09-27T16:45:10Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > You aren’t missing anything. > > The people who are claiming it is disrespectful would sing a different tune if the reason for the protest were different. > Indeed, Kap chose kneeling precisely to avoid the appearence of disrespect. :dubious: No. Personally I think ANY protest during the flag/national anthem thingy is disrespectful. For this reason. FIRST, it would be kinda nice if politics could be left outa some shit. Secondly, You can probably come up with a few dozen “major” issues that need protesting…so is EVERY flag/national anthem thingy gonna have somebody protesting about something? ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/9 "2017-09-27T16:50:28Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > so is EVERY flag/national anthem thingy gonna have somebody protesting about something? I sure hope so, since peaceful protest is one of the core ideals of this country. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/10 "2017-09-27T16:54:38Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > You can probably come up with a few dozen “major” issues that need protesting…so is EVERY flag/national anthem thingy gonna have somebody protesting about something? No, just like every charity doesn’t need to pour ice water over someone’s head to raise money. Kap chose this venue for this protest. We used to go to the local federal building with signs against US support for Apartheid. Some people March on Washington to oppose _Roe v. Wade_ every January. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/11 "2017-09-27T16:55:58Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > I sure hope so, since peaceful protest is one of the core ideals of this country. Heck even if you WANT to do it during the national anthem…have at…but don’t get butthurt when I think your a dick and I ain’t buying tickets anymore… PS. I actually hate profressional sports so not much I can do here. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/12 "2017-09-27T16:57:09Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > For this reason. FIRST, it would be kinda nice if politics could be left outa some shit. Having a national anthem before playing a game is–by its very nature–dragging politics into it. Your opinion on forms of government and preference of nation-state have nothing to do with watching grown men play with balls and sticks. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/13 "2017-09-27T17:05:05Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Heck even if you WANT to do it during the national anthem…have at…but don’t get butthurt when I think your a dick and I ain’t buying tickets anymore… > > PS. I actually hate profressional sports so not much I can do here. Hey, I’m in favor of kneeling, boycotting the games, AND the disbanding of the NFL. It’s pretty win-win-win for me. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/14 "2017-09-27T17:07:10Z")
I might want to subscribe to your newsletter 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/15 "2017-09-27T17:10:21Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Personally I think ANY protest during the flag/national anthem thingy is disrespectful. The flag represents the right – indeed, _duty_ – to disagree with the policies of the country for which the flag stands. > [@billfish678](#): > > For this reason. FIRST, it would be kinda nice if politics could be left outa some shit. Secondly, You can probably come up with a few dozen “major” issues that need protesting…so is EVERY flag/national anthem thingy gonna have somebody protesting about something? It would be nice if innocent, compliant members of a certain demographic were not killed for no reason by representatives of our governments. The people who are protesting this deplorable situation are simply making use of the forum available to them, to bring the greatest amount of attention to it. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/16 "2017-09-27T17:12:55Z")
Okay, so what other things do you feel like protesting? PS. Not being compliant is why a good fraction of them get shot IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/17 "2017-09-27T17:14:51Z")
The NFL took money from the Army to promote the military and the flag. That’s why they’re angry. It’s all about the money. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/18 "2017-09-27T17:15:08Z")
> [@Pantastic](#): > > The people getting upset over this protest are the same ones who say that armed Nazis parading with Tiki Torches and threatening synagogues is just free speech that no one should be bothered by. The ones talking about disrespect to the flag are the same ones who have no problem cutting a hole in the flag and using it as a poncho, dragging it on the ground, or flying the flag dedicated to treason against the US flag. > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Having a national anthem before playing a game is–by its very nature–dragging politics into it. Your opinion on forms of government and preference of nation-state have nothing to do with watching grown men play with balls and sticks. > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > The flag represents the right – indeed, _ **duty** _ – to disagree with the policies of the country for which the flag stands. > It would be nice if innocent, compliant members of a certain demographic were not killed for no reason by representatives of our governments. The people who are protesting this deplorable situation are simply making use of the forum available to them, to bring the greatest amount of attention to it. All three statements are 100% correct. Bolding mine in last quote. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/19 "2017-09-27T17:16:58Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Having a national anthem before playing a game is–by its very nature–dragging politics into it. Your opinion on forms of government and preference of nation-state have nothing to do with watching grown men play with balls and sticks. Exactly. Calls to “leave politics out of sports” mean “leave _your_ politics out of sports, because they conflict with _my_ politics”. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435/20 "2017-09-27T17:25:26Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Personally I think ANY protest during the flag/national anthem thingy is disrespectful. I don’t believe you. I believe if someone kneeled during the anthem to bring attention to, say, veterans being poorly treated at the VA, you would not find it disrespectful. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-offensive-to-kneel-during-the-anthem/797435.md?page=2)