On Aug. 26, 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick became the epicenter of a fiery debate about constitutional rights, proper respect and patriotism when he kneeled for the national anthem before a preseason football game.

Kaepernick chose to kneel as an act of protest against the United States’ supposed oppression of people of color and as a protest in what he believes to be excessive police force. Since then, the controversial method of demonstration has spread beyond the NFL to universities and schools. Students across America are choosing to stay in their seats and keep their hands at their sides when asked to stand for the Pledge.

America was founded on the principle of civil disobedience. That’s why the Founding Fathers preserved the right to peacefully protest in the First Amendment. Choosing to sit and not say the Pledge is by nature undisruptive and has no effect on students’ peers or teachers. The only concrete implication of students peacefully sitting during the Pledge is the possibility of creating an opportunity for discussion, something to be valued in a time where civilized discourse is becoming a rarity. Even if peers have conflicting opinions, everyone can benefit from considering a different perspective.

Peaceful protest is the right of students, a right The Eagle Angle firmly believes all students should have the choice to enjoy.

The Constitution is not a buffet. We cannot chose some amendments and leave the ones that don’t sit well with us. If we can vehemently support the Second Amendment, we must support the First. The difference many people cite is the national anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance are not simply American traditions or novelties; they represent our country and our values, and by refusing to acknowledge them, protestors are disrespecting those who have served to protect it.

Yes, the Pledge and our national anthem do hold significance, and they are associated with patriotism. However, protesters are not sitting to make a negative statement about our veterans. People are sitting during our Pledge and anthem because they no longer believe our country upholds the promises these songs and speeches make. Like Kaepernick, they do not feel there is liberty and justice for all. They do not believe this is the land of the free. They believe there is justice and freedom for the few who happen to be born the right gender and/or ethnicity. If we find it acceptable to penalize someone for their beliefs, we have returned to the unfair reality America’s forefathers fought so desperately to end.

This is not an issue about nationalism or honoring troops. This is an issue about the inequality and unfairness that still remains in the home of the brave.

Our veterans fought and died to defend our constitutional rights, our freedom of protest. By exercising it, we are not disrespecting their service; we are showing our gratitude.