The Ongoing Fight for Civil liberties
At first glance the image takes place on a field. There are three females who appear to be cheerleaders standing in line. They are dressed in a shimmery bright glittery gold cheer dresses. The dresses are cut short at the thigh with a low v neck collar. They also have white boots that come below the knee. The two women on the outside appear closer to the camera both facing to the right. They are of either Caucasian or Hispanic descent. Their skin tone is of a light color with pale matte finish. Their hair is both brown with a blonde ombré effect at the tips. In addition, the women have their right hand across their chest on their heart. They both smile with joy and excitement. In contrast, the girl in the middle is pushed back in the distance. Both of her hands are behind her back while she is kneeling down with her right knee piercing the turf. She is of a darker skin tone then the other cheerleaders besides her. Her skin glistens from the reflection of the sun causing her to be the main focal point of the picture. Her hair is up in a frizzy corkscrew afro with light brown and tan highlights. She glances in the opposite direction with a glazed look upon her face. Finally, blurred out in the distance is a line of men with all white clothing on.
It can be inferred that the photo is taking place is at a college football game. There is a large audience presence physically and virtually. The game did not start yet for the cheerleaders appear to be pledging to the flag while the marching band in the background plays. The dancer in the middle is in a kneeling stance between the others to make a statement. It is implied that she is kneeling not because she was injured or doing a routine but because she is dejected by societies actions. In addition, the dancer is trying to use her platform to make a stance against the inequalities of society. She is proving that the words within the national anthem and its meaning aren’t factual nor realistic to this day and age. Being that the dancer in the middle is the only individual kneeling, it can be inferred that the what she is protesting for strikes close to home for her. The other dancers beside her may have a different opinion than her for they remained standing. They may not agree with the middle dancer’s actions or just didn’t want to partake in the gesture due to them knowing it would spark controversy.
The image of Raianna Brown was originally taken in the first week of October 2016. A few weeks after Colin Kaepernick had sparked controversy on the field Raianna Brown had lowered herself into a kneel while the national anthem played. According to The Cut Brown’s reasoning for kneeling down was because before the game took place, Terence Crutcher an innocent man of color was struck down by law enforcement for doing nothing but going to lean on his car. Raianna not only kneeled because of police brutality but because people of the same skin color as herself are not respected by many and are underrepresented. This is similar to when Martin Luther King Jr. had protested for voting rights. Brown was extremely nervous about what her actions would cause her reputation however, she knew that she needed to make a change in society. The image was recently reposted to social media in September of 2017 after NFL football teams took a knee to support the NBA from refusing to go to the Whitehouse. Donald Trump had made negative comments against the NBA and NFL causing a silent protest against him. Even though this is the second time Raianna had posted the photo of herself, it had gained more attention this time. The meaning behind the posting of the photos may differ however she claimed that the photo is all about making a statement against what is going on in the country that’s being ignored. Being posted on social media the photo had received numerous reviews from society. Being viewed by thousands of people on twitter Raianna Brown knew that the photo being posted on social media would spark controversy and would even be seen by the president. Some thought that Raianna deserved to be kicked off of her dance team and to lose her scholarship from the college while others felt that she was making a strong statement about inequality and going against a corrupt government.
The photo of the Georgia Tech dancer drew attention for other Americans to take a stand against the injustices against colored people. Raianna Brown kneeling during the United States most watched sport had called others to action to take apart in their stand against inequality. Being that racism is still an ongoing factor in society, Browns action during the national anthem had antagonized those who have absolute patriotism toward their country and those who find disgust with other races not of their own. I believe that the photo does inspire other woman to take a stand against conflict in society. Since women are mostly underrepresented and do not have a say in certain situations, Raianna Brown leads an example for many to want to be different and take a stand. Being that she is a cheerleader and cheering on for a male dominated sport, kneeling and taking action against the corrupt prejudice in society is unheard of. The women of the black panther party and those of the peaceful protest movement are seen in Raianna Brown’s actions and presence. Channeling Angela Davis, Elaine Brown, Assata Shakur, and Kathleen Cleaver through her hair style, Brown announces that there still an ongoing fight for equal rights for woman of color. Moreover, she makes a statement defending those who are overlooked. She felt that there is an unjust killing of people of color and it must be put to an end.
The power of kneeling in protest against the discrimination against the colored has been taking place for generations. According to Time.com the famous civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther king Jr., had taken a knee among many other civil rights workers in Selma, Alabama in 1965. The group of activist were taking a knee in prayer after they were arrested for violating the law of parading without a permit. The demonstration was not only to go against not being arrested for a simple misdemeanor but to peacefully protest to allow African Americans in Selma to vote. The photo of Martin Luther King Jr. was recreated by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in August 2016. Kaepernick used his status as a football player to illustrate the injustices that people of color face by the majority race and police officers. The action that Kaepernick partakes in erupted throughout the world to show that he will not show pride to a country that allows the oppression of minorities and people of color. In order to combat against police brutality and to make a statement against the corrupt society he peacefully protested the national anthem during one of his football games. Many in society felt that Colin Kaepernick was erroneous for boycotting the national anthem and deserved to be kicked off of the NFL team while others felt that his statement should be analyzed as taking a stand for himself and others of the same race. Knowing that the whole nation and even the world would see him kneeling during the national anthem, Kaepernick wanted to make a bold statement to boycott against an ongoing problem that had been taking place for generations.
Both Colin Kaepernick and Raianna Brown feel that they shouldn’t have to pledge to a country that people of their skin color can’t feel safe and equal in. With the historical gesture of kneeling dating back to when MLK led the civil rights movement, the fight for equal rights for the minor race and for women will be a continuous fight that will last for centuries to come. From NFL teams to R&B singer Justine Skye, many of higher social status’s will use their platforms to peacefully kneel to speak out against the injustices in society.
