America’s favorite pastime, watching football, just became political again. The National Football League (NFL) has made headlines this week as a result of its players demonstrations during the national anthem. The players who are protesting come from many different teams and protest in a few ways. Many players in the NFL have sat down while the national anthem is playing, kneeled, locked arms with each other, or raised a fist in protest. They're largely protesting against racial injustices, including police brutality. These issues have been prevalent in America for decades, however the NFL national anthem protests started in 2016. During the preseason of 2016, San Francisco 49er’s quarterback Colin Kaepernick ignited the protests by kneeling during the anthem. When asked why he had knelt, Kaepernick explained it was for the racial inequality that plagued the nation. Soon, Kaepernick was joined by fellow team members in his protests, and eventually football players from many different teams participated in the demonstrations. This continued through the 2016-2017 season. This year, players continued to protest during the anthem in the preseason. While this action has become the new norm, the protests once again gained national attention after President Donald Trump addressed them. Trump called the protests “disgraceful” and mentioned that he felt “ashamed” by them. He believes the actions of the football players disrespects the flag, the nation, and the people who fight for freedom. Trump also called upon the NFL to suspend any players who protested during the national anthem. Trump’s marks angered many players of all races across the 32 teams in the league. To retaliate, the players upped the protests; instead of a few team members sitting during the playing of the anthem, entire teams have chosen to not show up on the field while the anthem is being played. Other teams, like the New England Patriots, linked arms together. Coaches and even team owners also supported their players by participating in the protests. The NFL commissioner himself, Roger Goodell, also slammed the president’s comments calling them “divisive.” He also went so far as to commend the NFL and all of its players, coaches, and owners for their actions, saying, “The way we reacted today, and this weekend, made me proud.” The American people, like the NFL and the president, are also very divided on the issue. Some claim the protests are extremely disrespectful to the country and to veterans, while others believe the protests are justified and a source for positive change in the states. The protests show that inequality is still an extremely big issue in America. They revealed the persistent, courageous, and daring nature of the football players who take a stand for issues important to them. The protests point out the influence of the president, the power he has to unite but also divide, and the never ending pursuit for equality and justice in not only the NFL but the entire nation.
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On Sunday, September 3rd, the country of North Korea tested their sixth nuclear missile, setting off a hydrogen bomb that was far stronger than the bombs America dropped on the Japanese cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima during WWII. The bomb was so strong that it set off a 6.3 magnitude earthquake in North Korea which was followed by aftershocks. In response, America has threatened war and strict sanctions on trade. US Defense Secretary James Mattis threatened North Korea by stating that any threat to America or its allies will “be met with a massive military response, both effective and overwhelming.” When president Donald Trump was asked after a church service for Harvey victims if America would attack North Korea, he replied with “We’ll see.” However, his tone softened as he took to Twitter to state that the states will consider “stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea.” This may seem like a simple tactic for punishing North Korea, however ending trade with any country doing business with North Korea would mean ending trade with China. This would devastate the US economy, so it's unlikely America will actually live up to Trump’s claim. Other countries have condemned the test, but so far have not taken steps against North Korea. The country of South Korea hopes to negotiate and talk to the leaders of North Korea in order to come to an agreement, however President Trump condemns South Korea’s “talk of appeasement.” |
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