President Donald Trump gave an honorary speech in Huntsville, Alabama, endorsing, Luther Strange, former attorney general of Alabama. Strange is now running for Senate. This speech generated controversy, as some said it was motivational while others argued it was disrespectful. Trump shifted the focus of his speech away from the Senate race when he addressed the recent controversy of NFL players kneeling during the national anthem.

In Trump’s view, he believes that kneeling for the national anthem is completely disrespectful and goes against all that we stand for as Americans. Trump’s speech sparked conversation and controversy in the country. The main take away from this speech is the comment, “ Wouldn’t you love to see NFL owners when someone disrespects our flag get them off the field right now, He’s fired.” regarding NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem.

In response, many NFL teams came together and knelt for the national anthem. The Pittsburgh Steelers stayed inside of the locker room while coaches were on the field. Chicago Bears all linked arms for the national anthem. The face of the NFL, Odell Beckham Jr, after scoring a touchdown raised his right fist in symbolism for black power. America’s team, the Dallas Cowboys, including owner Jerry Jones linked arms and knelt for the national anthem.

The kneeling began with Colin Kaepernick raising awareness of the rise in white police officers shooting unarmed black men.  After Trump’s speech, the NFL came together and knelt against him. The argument after is that why does the NFL kneel against Trump and not join with the origin of the kneeling Colin Kaepernick and shootings of unarmed black men. Seattle Seahawks wrote on Twitter that the reasoning for their kneeling was for the shooting of unarmed black men by white police officers. As citizens of the United States and as students of Totino- Grace, would you have joined Colin Kaepernick in his symbolic protest or joined the President of the United States in calling for the firing of such protesters?