Why I'm Kneeling

A recent amendment to U.S. soccer regulations requires all players to "stand respectfully" for the national anthem after Megan Rapinoe, a current U.S. National team soccer player kneeled for several of the national anthems played at numerous games. Megan says "I simply cannot stand for the kind of oppression this country is allowing against its own people. I have chosen to kneel because, in the words of Emma Lazarus, 'until we are free, we are none of us free.'"

This trend of kneeling for the national anthem was started by NFL star Colin Kaepernick. The main reason these two players have kneeled for the nation anthems is to show there feelings towards the United States and how they have handled this segregation between races over these past couple years.

I understand why the players have decided to kneel instead of stand. The reason for this is very clear, but I also understand why the U.S. soccer team does not want players doing this during the national anthem. It could show signs of disgrace, and it can make the programs look badly.