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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask if you know where “taking the knees” comes from?

114 replies

NewMum0305 · 13/07/2021 07:08

Stemming from the other thread asking what the problem is with taking the knee and some of the responses (a minority) describing it as a “divisive” act and one post saying it caused them to have a “visceral” reaction, I just wondered how many people knew where the act had come from? Particularly those people who are opposed to it.

YABU - I know where “taking the knee” originated from

YANBU - I don’t know where “taking the knee” originated from

OP posts:
Original poster
NewMum0305 · 13/07/2021 07:09

Title should obviously the “taking the knee” singular! 🙈

OP posts:
nc8765 · 13/07/2021 07:10

Didn't it originate in the States at US football matches?

Original poster
NewMum0305 · 13/07/2021 07:13

Yes, I mean more specific why it’s “taking the knee”, rather than eg “standing up against racism” as some people have suggested as an alternative

OP posts:
Original poster
NewMum0305 · 13/07/2021 07:14

*Specifically - my typing is a mess today

OP posts:
nc8765 · 13/07/2021 07:16

Then no, do you know OP?

Justjoinedforthis · 13/07/2021 07:17

Wasn’t it going down on one knee during the national anthem, when you are supposed to stand?

Marmite27 · 13/07/2021 07:18

Back before it was political it was a thing during training/ time outs to take a knee to listen to the team chat.

I know they were doing it before, but it gained extra significance after George Floyd was murdered by being knelt on.

Hobnobsandbroomstick · 13/07/2021 07:19

From an American football player who knelt during the American national anthem instead of standing a few years ago, in protest at institutional racism in the US?

TheSunShinesBrighter · 13/07/2021 07:19

I don’t know.
Do you OP?

Weebleweeble · 13/07/2021 07:21

From an American football player who knelt during the American national anthem instead of standing a few years ago, in protest at institutional racism in the US?

this

Marmite27 · 13/07/2021 07:21

Colin Kapernick and Eric Reid did it first around 2017 as a protest during the national anthem for a 49er’s game.

christdoinghisunspecifiedhobby · 13/07/2021 07:21

Yabu

Yes I know.

Zampa · 13/07/2021 07:22

@Hobnobsandbroomstick

From an American football player who knelt during the American national anthem instead of standing a few years ago, in protest at institutional racism in the US?
As above. I understand that Colin Kapernick (sp?) took the knee as a colleague has told him that this was more respectful to the national anthem than some other options.

Beyond that, I don't know any more.

Hobnobsandbroomstick · 13/07/2021 07:23

I remember a few people I know who said that they would boycott Nike products afterwards (his sponsor). Quite scary that they were that offended by it.

DoormatBob · 13/07/2021 07:24

This is why it doesn't make sense to me. When Colin Kaepernick did it he was opposing the act of standing proudly for the national anthem. Also in American Football context taking a knee is used to avoid playing the game and run the clock down.

Taking a knee during the national anthem in an American Football game, makes sense as a protest.

Anywhere else seems to have the opposite intention, kneeling is usually a submissive act?

After the George Floyd incident it makes even less sense since he was killed by a knee.

Merryoldgoat · 13/07/2021 07:25

I don’t know the origin but I know it’s been part of the black civil rights movement for hundreds of years - I think abolitionists used to do it.

Original poster
NewMum0305 · 13/07/2021 07:26

Yes. Colin Kaepernick (the American footballer who started the protest to highlight institutional racism) originally sat down during the National Anthem at games.

A former Green Beret advised him that going down on one knee would be more respectful than sitting down:

www.npr.org/2018/09/09/646115651/the-veteran-and-nfl-player-who-advised-kaepernick-to-take-a-knee

I just find it interesting that many people are angered by what they see as an act of subservience when it is actually intended to be an act of respect, suggested by a veteran (and a white man, to boot).

OP posts:
Original poster
NewMum0305 · 13/07/2021 07:27

Sorry, the “yes” was aimed at @TheSunShinesBrighter but there have been a whole bunch more replies since then!

OP posts:
daisypond · 13/07/2021 07:29

Isn’t it to do with a player needing to stop the match in American football - they kneel to stop the play. Therefore it has become a symbol of stopping the status quo.

DeathStare · 13/07/2021 07:38

Colin Kaeparnick and Eric Reid of the San Francisco 49ers took the knee during the national anthem before an NFL game about 5 years ago as a protest against police racist violence. They wanted to do something peaceful and non-disruptive but visibly noticeable. It was later likened to a flag at half mast (but I'm not sure whether that was the plan or something they noticed afterwards). Kaepernick became the public voice and face for taking the knee and said he couldn't stand for an anthem and flag that represented the oppression of black people.

It caused HUGE uproar in the US and both received death threats. Some other NFL players later followed suit and there were threats of sackings. Other NFL players condemned those taking the knee and were heralded as Patriots. Trump called for those who were taking the knee to sacked - so did many of the fans.

Kaepernick was made a free agent (ie let go/sacked) at the end of the season and no other team would pick him up, despite him having been a fairly successful starting quarterback. The NFL has screwed him ever since and he has never played professionally again. He sued the NFL and they settled for an undisclosed amount.

The whole shitty saga proved exactly why taking the knee was needed, though it had stopped being done in the NFL by the following season - mainly because people were too scared.

So yes, I know the history. But I'm an NFL fan.

leathermouse · 13/07/2021 07:42

Actually, there is a great deal of history surrounding taking a knee, that goes way beyond Colin Kaepernick's recent revival. Martin Luther King was taking a knee in 1965.

monkeyallen49 · 13/07/2021 07:46

I'll be honest I don't know the historical meanings but I presumed it gained extra momentum after George Flloyd who was knelt on.

I really can't grasp how a symbol of anti racism has annoyed so many people including politicians in a so called non racist country.

lljkk · 13/07/2021 07:52

Off top of my head so some of this must be wrong: Colin Capernick (with seriously big hair), starting about 2015, American footballer, although I don't recall exactly what he said at the time was his specific point, maybe broad spectrum racial injustice in society. Trump called for CC to be sacked.

CC started this gesture quietly & was slowly joined by some team-mates over time, when national anthem was played before the games.

A gifted player, Capernick was driven out of the pro game & hasn't played pro since... 2017?

I don't mind anyone taking the knee now but I'm not sure what it truly means now. Is it becoming performative not substantive -- what is CC saying he wants pro athletes to do?

toffeebutterpopcorn · 13/07/2021 07:59

I think recent events have shown that it hasn’t worked...

lljkk · 13/07/2021 08:04

This is interesting on the history, although it doesn't tell me what Kaepernick thinks now that taking the knee should mean, and if he thinks it is still a useful gesture.

Interesting that it was suggested as a respectful but also sad gesture.

To ask if you know where “taking the knees” comes from?