Is sitting, kneeling or even talking during America’s national anthem illegal? No. It is a protected right for every American citizen. However, it does not make it right.

Recently, it has become a common trend in the NFL to engage in peaceful protest by refusing to stand for “The Star Spangled Banner.” And while this move cannot be criticized under the law, we believe it is a blatant sign of disrespect that Americans should not condone.

This past Sunday, NFL players took a stance (well, actually a knee) against what they believe are injustices across our country. Many players knelt or sat. Some teams linked arms. The Pittsburgh Steelers team (minus ex Army Ranger Alejandro Villanueva who stood alone on the field with his hand over heart)  actually remained as a team in the locker room tunnel while the anthem was heard throughout the stadium. Most despicably, Buffalo Bills running back Lesean McCoy stretched in the middle of the field, ignoring the anthem all together.

Many NFL teams did a commendable job acting unified while still showing respect for the country, and that should be commended. Prior to the anthem, the Dallas Cowboys took a collective knee. But, they stood together for the anthem itself. The Jets linked arms as a team to show unity.  

Legality aside, not standing for the national anthem is unpatriotic, immoral, and simply wrong. When you stand for the flag, you are standing for those who risk their lives every day in the military. You are standing for those who can stand no longer. You are standing for the country that has granted you opportunities and freedoms.

There are still injustices in America. But the flag itself should not be used as the vehicle to attack this injustice. Yes, these NFL players have an enormous platform. But instead of sitting for the flag, they could use their platform to meet with their senators/representatives, or even the president himself.

Unfortunately, this issue has spread beyond the football field and into the classrooms of HHS. To our dismay, we have each witnessed Hillsborough students sitting through the pledge of allegiance. And perhaps worse than sitting as a political statement, it appears as if some of these students sit out of pure laziness. A few students will stay on their phones, listen to music, or even sleep in homeroom. And rarely will a student ever remove his or her hat, if wearing one.

For obvious reasons, the school cannot force people to stand for the pledge. But, there must be change while these kinds of acts are happening right here in our school. We as a school are allowing people to ignore the pledge. We recite the same words every day, but how many students actually know what these words mean?

The flag represents “liberty and justice for all.” The flag represents “one nation.” The flag represents the republic we know today as the United States of America. These acts of disrespect could also be seen as attacking the military. Not taking part in the pledge is not taking a minute of your day to say thank you. Stand for just one minute each and everyday to be patriotic and support people who fight and risk their lives. Do not remain seated and distracted.

From the National Football League to the halls of Hillsborough High School, we think the problem is clear. Respect. Disrespect for one’s country, disrespect for the military, and disrespect for those who paved the way.

Please stand.