Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers has been quite the controversial topic lately since he began kneeling during the national anthem. In a poll in 2014, Kaepernick was only “disliked a lot” by 6 percent of the people surveyed. Now, he’s considered to be the most disliked player of the 49ers after his protest. In terms of race, white people made up 37 percent of the people who disliked him, while 42 percent of African-Americans liked him. Only 2 percent of African Americans didn’t like him. Why?

It’s likely because a majority of the people who didn’t like him, assume that it’s disrespectful to not stand during the national anthem and that it’s necessary to do so (it’s not). The Flag Code is more of a guide than a rule. You won’t be forced to do so or charged with a crime if you don’t stand during the anthem.

It’s the same with the Pledge of Allegiance; according to West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, you cannot be forced to stand during the Pledge. It is considered a violation of the First and Fourteenth Amendment.

People think that Kaepernick refusing to stand for the anthem is disrespectful, but booing the President of the United States during a moment of silence for the events of 9/11 is not. Unfortunately, people only use the shield of the First Amendment and its protection of freedom of speech when they are called out on their racist, homophobic, and/or transphobic behavior, but will instantly condemn those who use their right to freedom of speech during protests or speaking out against oppression.

A little history fact: Francis Scott Key, the writer of the national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner, may have been a racist, and while most people only know certain parts of it, there is a verse some people believe is racist.

“Their blood has wash’d out their foul footstep’s pollution, No refuge could save the hireling and slave,
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave”

In translation, the blood of former slaves would wash out the pollution of the British army.

To add on, America was pretty much built on the genocide of Native Americans and the backs of black slaves. George Washington had 318 slaves at Mount Vernon. Both enslaved and free African Americans built the White House, the Capitol, and other buildings that are used by the government.

To all who say Kaepernick has to find another way to protest: how? When black people peacefully protest, we get no attention until people begin to riot. We are angry. We are tired of being killed solely because of our skin. Why put a national anthem that has racist lyrics and was even created by a possible racist before the lives of minorities? Why must he sit down, shut up and just continue to play football? Is he not practicing his First Amendment rights? How are we supposed to find another way to protest when no one even bothers to listen? Why must black people have to sit in silence while we are murdered? These are the questions that you must answer. If you truly believe America stands for equality for all, you’d support Kaepernick and his protest. A song should not be more important than someone’s life.