Colin Kaepernick’s protest against social injustice is being heard loud and clear by young athletes across the country and a host of high school football players have emulated the San Francisco quarterback in recent weeks by kneeling during the national anthem before their own games.
That’s where the issue gets complicated.
In football-crazy states such as New Jersey, Alabama and Massachusetts, some players have faced suspension and others have reported harassment or even threats over their stance.
“We are not public institutions and free speech in all of its demonstrations, including protests, is not a guaranteed right,” wrote Mary Boyle, superintendent of the Catholic Schools Diocese of Camden, N.J. She told her administrators and coaches that players who failed to “demonstrate appropriate respect” by choosing not to stand for the national anthem could face game and team suspensions.
Michael Walsh, diocese spokesman, called the letter a “precautionary notice in light of what had been occurring at the professional level.” He said diocesan schools have always had a policy “to show respect and honor for God and country.”
Kaepernick has faced heavy criticism, but has continued to suit up each week – without the support of the 49ers and NFL, but also without the threat of punishment. High school administrators and coaches are left to juggle the right of free speech with keeping order among their young charges.
David L. Hudson Jr., author of Let The Students Speak: A History of the Fight for Freedom of Expression in American Schools, said silent or passive protests like kneeling are not disruptive and therefore allowed under court rulings dating back decades.
“The highest court in the land ruled long ago, and it’s been upheld time after time, that students do not leave their free speech rights at the schoolhouse gate,” said Bob Farrace, director of public affairs for the National Association of Secondary School Principals. He noted that the Supreme Court ruled in 1969 that public school students in Iowa could wear black armbands to silently protest the Vietnam War. But they wouldn’t necessarily be allowed to picket in a school hallway.
“There are limits on students’ free speech,” Farrace said.
Michael Oppong at Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester, Mass., said on Twitter he was told he would be suspended for one game after announcing he would kneel during the anthem before a recent game. It was a decision district officials quickly reversed .
“(Oppong) did not violate any school rule when he peacefully and silently protested during the national anthem,” Worcester Superintendent Maureen Binienda said in a statement.