When Nike published their ad campaign with Colin Kaepernick, many were disappointed. Nike has blatantly endorsed disrespect for the men and women who have dedicated their lives to our freedom and country.

Upon revealing that Kaepernick would be the face of their new ad campaign, Nike lost billions of dollars in market cap and their stock dove almost 4%. After temporarily climbing up to 85.5% on September 21, their stock has had a downward trend since then and is now in the mid-70th percentage rage.

Kneeling for the national anthem is NOT the proper way to protest your beliefs.

The majority of the American people know this is not right, which was clear when Kaepernick was not recruited to play by any teams the season after he started kneeling.

When players began to kneel to protest inequality and police brutality, the viewership and ratings of the NFL plummeted.

Everyone deserves the right to exercise their freedom of speech, and while Kaepernick’s intentions may have been pure, he botched any receptivity the American people may have offered him when he made the decision to kneel and show flagrant disrespect to the American way of life.

Standing for the National Anthem should not be a topic up for debate, but unfortunately it is. To stand means to acknowledge that we are lucky to live in America, and we are demonstrating our thankfulness to the men and women who have protected us since the birth of our nation. Some paid the ultimate sacrifice, just so the millions of people in our country can enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Unfortunately, some people blatantly ignore these sacrifices and instead kneel to claim that African Americans are being oppressed, targeted, and murdered by police officers.

According to data collected in 2017 by Statista, a statistical conglomeration affiliate, 223 black citizens were shot and killed by the police as of June nationwide. The same data also shows that only 102 black citizens have been shot and killed in 2018 as of June. Comparing this to the amount of white citizens shot and killed, which was 457 in 2017 and 211 in 2018 shows no oppression.

While African Americans do make up a statistically smaller percent of the population compared to white citizens, the sharp decline in fatal shootings can not be overlooked.

There is a downward trend in all groups of people being shot and killed by the police, no thanks to a few sports players taking a knee.

402 African Americans and Latino Americans were shot to death by police in 2017, and there were 457 whites, completely disproving the argument of the people kneeling.

Clearly, people of color are not being targeted by the police.

During a sports game, rising for the National Anthem should be a moment of unity where we acknowledge how fortunate we are to live in a country where we have the freedom to choose whatever we want to do. Unfortunately, some people misuse the right that was paid for by the blood, sweat, and tears of our military, and disrespect them by kneeling during our National Anthem.

Kaepernick claimed to be so ashamed that he refused to stand for the National Anthem. He knelt for attention and it blew up in his face. Now, Nike is losing billions of dollars by aligning themselves with the anti-patriotism that the American people clearly dislike.

Why do I choose to stand?

I stand for the fallen.