Recently, a group of athletes have become a part of a silent protest, one that takes place during the national anthem and was started by San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick reported to NFL.com, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” Many of these protesters have been professional athletes until now; one of our very own athletes here at Florida State University decided to make herself a part of the group of athletic protestors.
On Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, during the national anthem before a match against Little Rock, Mara Green, a redshirt senior middle blocker on our volleyball team, kneeled down instead of standing with her right hand to her chest. But, that was just the beginning: on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, Green kneeled once again, this time before a match against Florida State’s rival, University of Florida.
After the second match where Green took her silent protest, she was able to express her feelings and let those know why she has decided not to stand during the national anthem. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, Green stated, “I have had several family members that have served in the military and I have the highest respect for those who serve our country.” Like Kaepernick stated, Green is joining the protest to peacefully speak out against “racial injustice.”
Courtesy: Seminoles.com
“I am unhappy with the racial tension, racial injustice and police brutality in our country,” Green said. “This is my way of silently and peacefully protesting.”
FSU’s head volleyball coach, Chris Poole, released a statement after Green first kneeled during the anthem, stating, “Mara made me aware of her intention to kneel for the national anthem,” he said. “Florida State University is an institution of higher learning that recognizes a student’s right to freedom of expression. Similarly, I respect Mara’s right to freely express herself.”
Although Mara Green’s head coach does not see anything wrong with her taking part in the protest and describes it as a freedom of expression, many people would say and think she is being disrespectful to armed forces, the flag and the country as a whole. Wednesday evening in FSU’s volleyball gymnasium, known as Tully, one fan in the crowd of 1,500 shouted at Green, “Stand up!” Green did not budge.
Mara Green will most likely continue her peaceful and silent protest for the rest of the season.