The response to athletes kneeling for the national anthem has been severe. Colin Kaepernick, who started the movement, said he has received death threats. Nebraska football players were told they should be hung before the next game. All because of a kneel.
The criticism about not respecting the anthem is a valid one, but that wasn't necessarily the point Kaepernick was trying to make. The 49ers quarterback wanted to bring attention to the number of black Americans being shot and killed by police, and start a discussion.
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He has done that, and his protest has gained even more attention following the deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte.