From: Julia Stumpff
Columbus
If kneeling during the national anthem is disrespectful to the military, why, in August 2016, did a former NFL player and ex-Green Beret write an open letter to Colin Kaepernick in the Army Times newspaper and suggest that kneeling during the national anthem (instead of sitting) was a respectful way to bring attention to police brutality against Black people? Why did the ex-Green Beret share his views that kneeling can convey many things “ranging from love to humility to grief….but it does not ever seem to convey disrespect.”
Why, also, did other American military veterans write an open letter of support for Kaepernick in September 2016 stating, “Far from disrespecting our troops, there is no finer form of appreciation for our sacrifice than for Americans to enthusiastically exercise their freedom of speech.”
I support and am extremely proud of Columbus East High School soccer coach Josh Gonsior’s decision to respectfully kneel during the national anthem in solidarity of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. His courage and willingness to take a potentially unpopular stand in a small conservative town says loads about him as a person, and he serves as a wonderful role model for East and the Columbus community in general. I was thrilled to be able to share The Republic’s article detailing Gonsior’s decision to kneel with my kids, who are East graduates.
It is my hope that more people respectfully kneel during the national anthem before sporting events in Columbus to bring attention to systemic racism in this community and in this country — and that as a result, we work together to end systemic racism.
