A recent contentious event at the University of Texas involved a student who kneeled during the playing of the national anthem and was promptly expelled. Both students and instructors have had conflicting reactions to this episode, which has garnered a lot of media and community interest.
This kid claimed that he was protesting social injustice and concerns pertaining to Black people’s rights by kneeling while everyone else stood and listened to the national anthem. Since NFL player Colin Kaepernick started doing it a few years ago, kneeling at sporting events—especially when singing the national anthem—has come to represent the fight against racism.
Many people, however, were incensed by Texas University’s decision to pursue this student right away; some claim that this is an infringement on the right to free speech and protest, while others believe that the action is inappropriate for the school’s values and principles. The University of Texas leaders clarified that this decision was made in order to uphold respect for the country and community values.
A larger problem with respect for national symbols and individual liberty in the educational setting has been brought to light by this episode. should educational institutions need to set boundaries to preserve shared ideals, or should students have the right to voice their own opinions, even if they may be controversial?
Reactions from the social community, including students and professors, will continue to take place in the near future, when this occurrence is debated and examined. This will surely continue to be a matter of division, not just in the academic community but also in a broader society.