Kneeling and the NFL. Sports and the anthem.
I respect national pride but why is the national anthem performed for a corporate sporting even in the first place? Olympics and International meets I understand because you are representing your country. Throwing a ball for profit driven purposes does not require a national anthem. I did not go to school in the US but I remember by the 9th grade in Canada the anthem was no longer performed in class to start the day, which I think has more value and should be maintained over a major league sporting event. How is it in this US today for schools? Perhaps, keep anthems in schools and leave it out of the stadium?
Thoughts?
The national anthem played regularly at sporting events is a fairly recent phenomenon in the US (1) and it has become a virtue signaling marketing gimmick that works quite well (2) in selling many products. It seemed to be working for well the NFL until some players respectfully knelt for what he believed in, putting actual freedom and American ideals in conflict with shallow patriotism and shining a light on taxpayer funded "paid patriotism pageants."(3).
(1) [cnn.com]
(2) [adage.com]
(3) [esquire.com]
No anthem in my kid's schools in California.