Kneeling during the national anthem is a form of protest that has been used to draw attention to various perceived injustices in the United States. The most well-known instance of this protest occurred in 2016 when NFL player Colin Kaepernick and his teammate Eric Reid chose to kneel during the playing of the US national anthem to call attention to the issues of racial inequality and police brutality. Kneeling during the national anthem has been a controversial issue, with some people believing that it shows disrespect for the flag and members of the armed forces. However, others argue that kneeling during the national anthem is an appropriate and justified form of protest when one believes that the United States is not living up to its ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice for all.

It is important to note that kneeling during the national anthem is a symbolic gesture against racism and is not intended to show disrespect for the flag or members of the armed forces. In fact, kneeling is a demonstration of reverence, submissiveness, and deference, in contrast with the interpretation that kneeling is offensive to those who are honored by the anthem.

In terms of legality, taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem is protected by the First Amendment as long as it does not cause a substantial disruption to the game. This type of protest is highly protected, even more so for students at a public school than for players in the NFL. However, players in the NFL who kneel during the anthem might be breaking their contract about keeping their behavior professional.

In conclusion, kneeling during the national anthem is a form of peaceful protest that has been used to draw attention to various perceived injustices in the United States. While some people believe that it shows disrespect for the flag and members of the armed forces, others argue that it is an appropriate and justified form of protest. It is important to note that taking a knee during the national anthem is protected by the First Amendment as long as it does not cause a substantial disruption to the game.