What 'taking the knee' means and why Premier League players

What 'taking the knee' means and why Premier League players are doing it

American football player Colin Kaepernick gave up his career

By Jon Doel



Thursday 18th June 2020


The Premier League football season restarted on Wednesday night with players from Aston Villa and Sheffield United making a powerful statement by taking the knee as the referee blew the whistle to start the match.

It's a gesture that is likely to be repeated at the Man City v Arsenal game and other matches that follow in the opening round of fixtures.

So what does 'taking the knee' mean? Why are people doing it as Black Lives Matter protests are held around the world?

It was started in 2016 by American football player Colin Kaepernick who famously knelt during the US national anthem before playing for the San Francisco 49ers against San Diego Chargers in a powerful protest against police brutality.

"I am not going to get up to show pride in a country that oppresses black people and people of colour,” the San Francisco quarter-back said.

“To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

It was a polarising gesture in the US, with some critics saying it was disrespectful to American soldiers and the American flag.




But many other American athletes would follow his lead in the weeks and months that followed, sparking a huge reaction.

The NFL forbid players from not standing on the field during the anthem, while an angry Donald Trump hit out at the athletes doing it, saying: “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a b**** off the field right now, out, he’s fired. He’s fired."

As for Kaepernick, he became a free agent at the end of that season and remains without a team despite being seen as one of the finest quarter-backs in the sport.

He took legal action against the NFL for allegedly colluding to keep him out of the league. A confidential settlement was reached in February 2019.

Kaepernick is respected for taking a stand and effectively giving up his career to fight for what he believes in. His gesture has become a symbol of the Black Lives Matters movement, with people urged to take the knee on their doorsteps earlier this month.

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I may seem not caring but I do wish there more equality in the USA,

But he says "bodies in the street"

If 52% of murders are done by 6% of the population that is black then let's not

Kid yourselves that the black people are innocent either

I may seem not caring but I do wish there more equality in the USA,

But he says "bodies in the street"

If 52% of murders are done by 6% of the population that is black then let's not

Kid yourselves that the black people are innocent either

God help us........

Kaepernick didn't give up his career as suggested.

He was a good quarterback who as time continued couldn't adapt to defences knowing what he was going to do. He turned into an interception liability and was benched for a journeyman with the fans approval.
He was on the downgrade and like many starlets before him he looked at being a number 2 or even 3 and the salary for backups is nowhere near a number one or franchise player

He obviously has deep feelings and convictions and like nearly all NFL stars in media coached and slick. This is US sports we are talking about and its all about the money with little pretence of integrity. I have no idea why they play the anthem at every opening it dulls its importance to me, but its their country and their culture and disrespecting the anthem or flag is contentious especially in the established middle classes that attend NFL games because they can be pricey for decent seats.

Kaepernick did well out of his actions and i am not saying he planned this but has played the situation well.

We'll see how this progresses but i am wondering how long this continues for. The premier league is all shiny and corporate so don't want to appear uncaring. What is not recorded is how the average fan is taking all this symbolism and with no crowds for the foreseeable future we won't know.

I may seem not caring but I do wish there more equality in the USA,

But he says "bodies in the street"

If 52% of murders are done by 6% of the population that is black then let's not

Kid yourselves that the black people are innocent either

God help us........

Please elaborate

These are government stats not mine

Plus I do mean the US of A which is quite close,

Only 8000 Miles away

8.000 miles away???????????? Where are you for it to be 8,000 miles away?

8.000 miles away???????????? Where are you for it to be 8,000 miles away?

Ha, got my facts wrong there

I read an article stating it was 8000 miles away

But in truth it's only 4 thousand and a bit

I think the 227 bus goes there on the hour

Point I mean is it's not local to us so why is what happens in America so important ?

8.000 miles away???????????? Where are you for it to be 8,000 miles away?

4k, 8k. the point is its a different country with different laws... getting rid of guns would be a good start... watched the guy being shot in the car park after falling asleep in his car... I doubt very much that would have ended up with him being killed here...

8.000 miles away???????????? Where are you for it to be 8,000 miles away?

4k, 8k. the point is its a different country with different laws... getting rid of guns would be a good start... watched the guy being shot in the car park after falling asleep in his car... I doubt very much that would have ended up with him being killed here...

You're right it is a different country. Happy now ?

8.000 miles away???????????? Where are you for it to be 8,000 miles away?

4k, 8k. the point is its a different country with different laws... getting rid of guns would be a good start... watched the guy being shot in the car park after falling asleep in his car... I doubt very much that would have ended up with him being killed here...

You're right it is a different country. Happy now ?

The interesting point will come when one player does not kneel when the others do
Who will be the first to say no

The interesting point will come when one player does not kneel when the others do
Who will be the first to say no

Won't happen mate, they are to scared of the racist slur, most people are sheep that follow and terrified to stand out and be different.

I wish I was a player id be the first to discredit the hypocrisy in it

It's racist to me that the media are supporting the black lives matter bending knee nonsense

Why can't the media and papers have a slogan

It's not just black lives

IT'S ALL LIVES FOR CRYING OUT LOUD

Keir Starmer you proved me wrong, I said there would never be a pathetic, arse crawling weasel leader again of labour like Corbyn.

But you sir are a tool of the very highest order

Just my opinion.

I may seem not caring but I do wish there more equality in the USA,

But he says "bodies in the street"

If 52% of murders are done by 6% of the population that is black then let's not

Kid yourselves that the black people are innocent either

God help us........

Black on black crime is a massive problem in the States, police brutality against black people is minuscule by comparison.

he 'Act' of taking a knee was being used by the abolitionist movement over 200 years ago with the image of an african slave kneeling, manacled hands held out in a begging pose with a banner "Am I not a man and your brother". At the time it was considered the symbol of the struggle for the abolition of the slave trade.

It has been used a couple of times in recent history with Martin Luther King kneeling in prayer with a group of protestors after they were arrested during an 'illegal' march for the vote and then more recently by the NFL player.

The slave trade was abolished in 1833 in the British Empire, 30 years later in the US and for an African American man to be murdered in the manner George Floyd was shows in reality how little has changed over nearly 200 years.

I thought the sight of Premier League players with "Black Lives Matter" on their shirts and for them to take a knee with the match officials was a powerful message.

It's 2020 and enough is enough racism has no place in our society.

he 'Act' of taking a knee was being used by the abolitionist movement over 200 years ago with the image of an african slave kneeling, manacled hands held out in a begging pose with a banner "Am I not a man and your brother". At the time it was considered the symbol of the struggle for the abolition of the slave trade.

It has been used a couple of times in recent history with Martin Luther King kneeling in prayer with a group of protestors after they were arrested during an 'illegal' march for the vote and then more recently by the NFL player.

The slave trade was abolished in 1833 in the British Empire, 30 years later in the US and for an African American man to be murdered in the manner George Floyd was shows in reality how little has changed over nearly 200 years.

I thought the sight of Premier League players with "Black Lives Matter" on their shirts and for them to take a knee with the match officials was a powerful message.

It's 2020 and enough is enough racism has no place in our society.

for an African American man to be murdered in the manner George Floyd was...…. I don't get the jump to this being a racially motivated crime.. everything ive read is that Floyd had just committed an offence.. was under the influence of whatever ..was known to the cop as a violent criminal and who apparently resisted arrest... the cop .. 17 previous complaints from people of all colours . what the Americans call bad arse . just don't see that this would have ended any better if Floyd was a white man.. if you've seen lots of evidence suggesting the cop was a white supremacist or flat out racist fair enough but I haven't seen it reported...

he 'Act' of taking a knee was being used by the abolitionist movement over 200 years ago with the image of an african slave kneeling, manacled hands held out in a begging pose with a banner "Am I not a man and your brother". At the time it was considered the symbol of the struggle for the abolition of the slave trade.

It has been used a couple of times in recent history with Martin Luther King kneeling in prayer with a group of protestors after they were arrested during an 'illegal' march for the vote and then more recently by the NFL player.

The slave trade was abolished in 1833 in the British Empire, 30 years later in the US and for an African American man to be murdered in the manner George Floyd was shows in reality how little has changed over nearly 200 years.

I thought the sight of Premier League players with "Black Lives Matter" on their shirts and for them to take a knee with the match officials was a powerful message.

It's 2020 and enough is enough racism has no place in our society.

for an African American man to be murdered in the manner George Floyd was...…. I don't get the jump to this being a racially motivated crime.. everything ive read is that Floyd had just committed an offence.. was under the influence of whatever ..was known to the cop as a violent criminal and who apparently resisted arrest... the cop .. 17 previous complaints from people of all colours . what the Americans call bad arse . just don't see that this would have ended any better if Floyd was a white man.. if you've seen lots of evidence suggesting the cop was a white supremacist or flat out racist fair enough but I haven't seen it reported...

Racism - prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.


That is how I see the murder of George Floyd as racially motivated no jump required.

I'm struggling to think of an example of a White American being treated as George Floyd was.

he 'Act' of taking a knee was being used by the abolitionist movement over 200 years ago with the image of an african slave kneeling, manacled hands held out in a begging pose with a banner "Am I not a man and your brother". At the time it was considered the symbol of the struggle for the abolition of the slave trade.

It has been used a couple of times in recent history with Martin Luther King kneeling in prayer with a group of protestors after they were arrested during an 'illegal' march for the vote and then more recently by the NFL player.

The slave trade was abolished in 1833 in the British Empire, 30 years later in the US and for an African American man to be murdered in the manner George Floyd was shows in reality how little has changed over nearly 200 years.

I thought the sight of Premier League players with "Black Lives Matter" on their shirts and for them to take a knee with the match officials was a powerful message.

It's 2020 and enough is enough racism has no place in our society.

for an African American man to be murdered in the manner George Floyd was...…. I don't get the jump to this being a racially motivated crime.. everything ive read is that Floyd had just committed an offence.. was under the influence of whatever ..was known to the cop as a violent criminal and who apparently resisted arrest... the cop .. 17 previous complaints from people of all colours . what the Americans call bad arse . just don't see that this would have ended any better if Floyd was a white man.. if you've seen lots of evidence suggesting the cop was a white supremacist or flat out racist fair enough but I haven't seen it reported...

Racism - prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.


That is how I see the murder of George Floyd as racially motivated no jump required.

I'm struggling to think of an example of a White American being treated as George Floyd was.

im fully aware of what racism is without looking it up and then getting it wrong...

THIS TOOK 20 SECONDS TO FIND
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=to ... &FORM=VIRE

so yes a HUGE JUMP....
the stats DO NOT BACK UP YOUR CLAIMS....so instead of googling racism try checking some facts out.
where was prejudice and discrimination in the George Floyd murder ?

he 'Act' of taking a knee was being used by the abolitionist movement over 200 years ago with the image of an african slave kneeling, manacled hands held out in a begging pose with a banner "Am I not a man and your brother". At the time it was considered the symbol of the struggle for the abolition of the slave trade.

It has been used a couple of times in recent history with Martin Luther King kneeling in prayer with a group of protestors after they were arrested during an 'illegal' march for the vote and then more recently by the NFL player.

The slave trade was abolished in 1833 in the British Empire, 30 years later in the US and for an African American man to be murdered in the manner George Floyd was shows in reality how little has changed over nearly 200 years.

I thought the sight of Premier League players with "Black Lives Matter" on their shirts and for them to take a knee with the match officials was a powerful message.

It's 2020 and enough is enough racism has no place in our society.

for an African American man to be murdered in the manner George Floyd was...…. I don't get the jump to this being a racially motivated crime.. everything ive read is that Floyd had just committed an offence.. was under the influence of whatever ..was known to the cop as a violent criminal and who apparently resisted arrest... the cop .. 17 previous complaints from people of all colours . what the Americans call bad arse . just don't see that this would have ended any better if Floyd was a white man.. if you've seen lots of evidence suggesting the cop was a white supremacist or flat out racist fair enough but I haven't seen it reported...

Racism - prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.


That is how I see the murder of George Floyd as racially motivated no jump required.

I'm struggling to think of an example of a White American being treated as George Floyd was.

im fully aware of what racism is without looking it up and then getting it wrong...

THIS TOOK 20 SECONDS TO FIND
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=to ... &FORM=VIRE

so yes a HUGE JUMP....
the stats DO NOT BACK UP YOUR CLAIMS....so instead of googling racism try checking some facts out.
where was prejudice and discrimination in the George Floyd murder ?

Wow using google is the best you can come up with I became aware of the taking the knee image during a visit to the V&A Museum decades ago whilst viewing the Josiah Wedgewood collection. Wedgewood created a ceramic brooch based on a sketch of a shackled black man on one knee with arms held out ib a begging pose. Wedgewood created a ceramic on a white background with a black man in the pose with the words "Am I not a man and your brother" included. These cameos were used by the abolitionists to promote their cause and were considered so powerful that Benjamin Franklyn recognised the effect they had in a speech, you can learn about that by a visit to Benjamin Franklyn House in London. Not everything in life needs google to learn about it.

As for the officer in his 17 years of service he had 18 complaints made against him ranging from excessive force to the use of demeaning language. This was detailed on CNN and as facts go these complaints are a matter of public record, Demeaning Language embodies discrimination, prejudice and antagonism and has at it's core RACISM.

Sadly racism is still present in the world and even yesterday news has emerged that 8 prison officers from ethnic minorities have been barred fro guarding or having any contact with Chauvin, because they "Could Not Be Trusted" and would be a "Liability" around him. Discrimination charges have started against the management of the facility where Chauvin is being held and rightly so.

In my opinion Chauvin is a RACIST and in the US today he is being protected by a RACIST mindset. Wake up and smell the coffee my friend.

What was the demeaning language exactly?

Should people no matter who they are think of this

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