Comparison of Colin Kaepernick Take A Knee Protest to Thoreaus Conception of Civil Disobedience Essay

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Introduction

Civil disobedience is defined as a situation in which people take to the streets or act in violation of the law so as to review an issue by the public and the political class. Proponents of the use of civil disobedience say that such minor crimes including blocking roads and occupying public spaces are acceptable if the quest is to resolve an issue of greater magnitude. Serious issues that may call for civil disobedience if the political class does not heed public opinion include war or damaging the environment extensively. The act of civil disobedience involves some form of breach of either the normal practice or the law. It involves infiltration of secret spaces and disruption of the public order. Consequently, the action of civil disobedience is commonly treated as trespass (Brownlee). According to Henry David Thoreau, in his Civil Disobedience, such disobedience as refusing to stand when the American national Anthem is being sung in public sporting events is desirable. The intention of this essay is to demonstrate that civil disobedience is a way of expressing one’s convictions, through comparing Thoreau’s thoughts with Kaepernick’s actions of resistance.

Background

Colin Kaepernick, a quarterback player with 49ers of San Francisco opted to kneel as the national anthem was underway prior to the commencement of the NFL games. His action represented a peaceful way of protesting how America is treating members of the black community (Rosenberg). His protest action influenced others in other sports. It triggered a conversation at national level and attracted the president’s anger. His action marked the end of his football career.

In contrast, Thoreau advocates for picking up arms is much like the stands that Dr. King and Parks would assume. According to Thoreau, every person owes it to themselves and fellow citizens not to simply follow their governments like a flag in the wind. If people have reason to believe that the laws being applied are not just, then they must rise up by whichever means available and protest to repeal such laws. Thoreau never liked slavery; even though it was supported by the state. So it is also not surprising that he held such sentiments (Thoreau).

Comparison

In analyzing Thoreau’s thinking, it is apparent that one must prioritize their conscience over state laws. Thoreau’s work provides a sharp criticism of the American institutions and the policies that they apply; particularly on the issue of slavery, and the war with Mexico. Thoreau argues that it is a rare show for government to demonstrate its usefulness. The authority held by the government is drawn from the people who are the majority unit and not because their viewpoint is necessarily the best (Thoreau, 1). He says that everyone is obligated to do what is right , and then follow the law; not vice versa.

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He says that if the government starts meting injustice on its people, the people must decline to obey the law and create a rift between them and the government. There is no obligation to eliminate evil deeds from the world but there is an obligation not to participate in such evil. Therefore one must choose not to be part of an institution that is unjust, such as the government. Thoreau points out that the US government is a perfect example of an unjust institution because it supports slavery.

Kaepernick’s argument is in line with the idea of prioritizing the conscience over the law. He followed his conscience and refused to stand when the national anthem was being played because it is an instrument of an oppressive institution. His action brought the issue of racial relations to the fore with force. A lot was said, even by the ignorant people regarding the athletes action; some explaining why he was wrong. However, an in-depth analysis of the situation shows that most of the effusions by the critics of the athlete were making a statement to the effect that they would not agree with him unless he wasn’t challenging anyone (Biddle). Such a stance seemed to be supporting the claims from some quarters that there is not a real problem with the American criminal justice system as far as the issue of race relations is concerned.

According to Thoreau, the government is unlikely to change as a result of petitioning it. Thoreau provides his personal experience as a model of how the government should be forced t be just. Thoreau refused to pay taxes in protest of slavery. He spent a night in jail because of the same. Ideologically, Thoreau succeeded in delinking himself from the government as an institution that was promoting injustice Thoreau, 5). He says that such protest had greater impact that reform advocacy from within the oppressive institution itself. He observes that it is not easy to see the true government as it is when one is still part of it.

Kaepernick refused to be part of an oppressive institution by declining to stand when the anthem was being played. Kaepernick still had his full career ahead of him. He could make more….....

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