时间:2025-06-17 15:25:58 来源:网络整理编辑:知識
President Obama voiced his opinion on Colin Kaepernick's National Anthem protest once again, but thi
President Obama voiced his opinion on Colin Kaepernick's National Anthem protest once again, but this time he played devil's advocate.
During a CNN Town Hall meeting on Wednesday night, Obama spoke to Jake Tapper and members of the U.S. Army station at Fort Lee, Virginia about the 49ers quarterback and his decision to kneel during the National Anthem in response of police brutality against the black community.
While Obama did acknowledge that he respects the expression, he urged Kaepernick and other protesters to take into consideration how their actions might be affecting families of those in the military.
SEE ALSO:Amid death threats, Kaepernick says he'll donate $1 million to charityEarlier this month, President Obama defended Kaepernick, saying the actions are "his Constitutional right."
On Wednesday, Obama expanded on that, saying that while he believes honoring the flag and the National Anthem is part of what unifies America, "part of what makes this country special is that we respect people's rights to have a different opinion."
That being said, he then called upon Kaepernick and fellow NFL players protesting to stop and think about the repercussions of their actions. "I want (the protesters) to listen to the pain that that may cause somebody who, for example, had a spouse or a child who was killed in combat and why it hurts them to see somebody not standing," he said.
Kaepernick has been protesting against police brutality and unjust treatment of the black community since preseason games this August, and said in a press conference, "When there's significant change and I feel like that flag represents what it's supposed to represent, this country is representing people the way that it's supposed to, I'll stand."
In a counterargument, Obama reminded everyone that expression within the law is an American right and called those who disagree with Kaepernick's actions to "think about the pain he may be expressing about somebody who's lost a loved one that they think was unfairly shot."
The president stated, "The test of our fidelity to our Constitution, to freedom of speech, to our Bill of Rights, is not when it's easy, but when it's hard."
TopicsActivismBarack Obama
MashReads Podcast: What makes a good summer read?2025-06-17 15:18
This beautiful genius got a Game Boy Color to run 'Wolfenstein 3D'2025-06-17 14:36
Uber tries to have it both ways with self2025-06-17 14:29
Maker Studios is merging with the content & media team at Disney2025-06-17 14:25
Airbnb activates disaster response site for Louisiana flooding2025-06-17 13:38
Elon Musk acted like an ecstatic child as SpaceX's rocket landed for the 1st time2025-06-17 13:23
Beyoncé's holiday decorations include a 'Lemonade'2025-06-17 12:55
You can now use 3 new Snapchat filters while riding in an Uber2025-06-17 12:55
Donald Trump's tangled web of Russian influence2025-06-17 12:47
Twitter's chief technology officer Adam Messinger is leaving the company2025-06-17 12:41
Olympics official on Rio's green diving pool: 'Chemistry is not an exact science'2025-06-17 15:12
Here's how the White House staff pranked President Obama for the holidays2025-06-17 15:12
Teacher has totally amazing reaction to gift from his students2025-06-17 15:06
Flights dumping excreta midair will be fined, says India's green court2025-06-17 14:58
This weird squid looks like it has googly eyes, guys2025-06-17 14:37
This virtual fireplace full of burning Samsung Galaxy Note7s will keep you warm2025-06-17 14:37
This driverless bus is about to roll out in Singapore2025-06-17 14:35
Acer is done selling smartphones in the world's fastest growing market2025-06-17 13:47
The Weeknd teases new music in Instagram post2025-06-17 13:39
'Street Fighter V' kicks off Season 2 with updates and holiday skins2025-06-17 13:16