National Anthem: Stand or Kneel?

Published: Nov. 18, 2020, 7 a.m.

Is it okay to kneel during the National Anthem? It’s November 2020 and Americans are divided. Since August 2016, some American athletes have protested against police brutality and racism by kneeling on one knee during the U.S. national anthem. Some observers have described the protests as  patriotic and have praised the players' social awareness. Others have criticized the attention given to social issues during sporting events, and called the protests disrespectful and tone deaf. Four years later, the controversy remains. My guests today are Andreea, a long-time Texas resident and football fan who is no longer watching due to the protests, and Shereen, a Los Angeles sports writer for "In the Front Row" who works directly with athletes and coaches for a living. We touch on race relations in 2020 America, Colin Kaepernick, the origin of the star spangled banner, and more. So with no further ado, I invite you to join me as we heal the division on the National Anthem protests.