COLUMNS

The national anthem should be played at all sporting events

BY NOAH THOMAS co-editor-in-chief

The national anthem debate about standing or kneeling while the song played began in 2016 when Colin Kapernick of the San Francisco 49ers began kneeling during the national anthem. Ever since, we have seen a lot of professional athletes begin kneeling in their respective leagues and receiving a lot of criticism for their actions. The athletes are expressing their feelings and emotions and it is within their rights to kneel during the anthem. But, playing the national anthem should not be a choice and we saw this last week when the Dallas Mavericks, one of the most famous NBA franchises, decided to stop playing the national anthem at owner Mark Cuban’s request. They did play “God Bless America” and Cuban did say that the anthem would return at some point, most likely when fans are allowed in the arena again.

Mark Cuban has been influential in his beliefs in equality for all and has made it very clear in press conferences and social media. Mark Cuban has supported the protests for equality and has kneeled during the anthem with his athletes. I love that he supports the movement and his athletes and wants to be a part of that; but to me, fans or no fans, only

playing “God Bless America” and not the national anthem is unacceptable. The national anthem is one of the most sacred, most valuable things that resemble our country and our freedom. It was written by a poet in 1773 while watching the American colonies battle the British for our freedom. It has been the most important song to treasure our bravery and our freedom and deserves to be played. I believe that players and coaches may kneel or stay in their respective locker rooms as a way of protesting but the anthem deserves to be played for those who believe it’s important. When I was scrolling on social media and saw they were not going to play the national anthem I was speechless. Then, I saw other franchises from various other major sporting leagues say they would proudly play the anthem to show support for our country. Then the NBA stepped in and said every team would play the anthem with no exceptions. Personally, I do believe in the equality movements around the United States, but the national anthem was intended to remember those who fought for American freedom. “God Bless America” is not enough; the national anthem needs to be played. CP switching from yellow to green schedule is unwise

BY EMILY HELMUTH co-editor-in-chief

Yellow to green to red to yellow to green. When will it end? With CPHS switching back to green, as a student I am tired of this inconsistency. I am also tired of feeling unheard. From my basic understanding, a majority of high school students like the hybrid schedule. This being said, it makes no sense to me that we are chaning to green. Also, in comparison to other age groups, such as the middle and elementary schools, high schoolers are more capable of being by themselves for longer periods of time.

The chances of being exposed to COVID differs between schools as well. At the elementary school, most students just go to school and home. These students are also around the same 20 to 25 kids all day. Whereas at the high school, students are around over 100 other students per day, along with being involved in sports, jobs, and other extracurriculars.

Another factor that should impact the decision to go green is the teachers and their health. Teachers have been pushed back on the vaccine list in Indiana, and don’t look to be moving up on it anytime soon. This being said, if we are not vaccinating our teachers we should not be going to green. It is disrespectful to teachers and only increases the health risks they already take by just showing up to work in this day and age.

As a senior, it’s a hard choice to make. I do not want to go to school if there is a risk of me being quarantined or worse and missing the big events of my senior year, like end of the year celebrations and graduation. But at the same time, it’s my senior year and I’d like to finish the school year in person with my friends.

Yes cases have gone down slightly. But maybe, just maybe, it’s because we were doing something right, staying yellow. Keep in mind, along with the ongoing pandemic, we are currently in the middle of flu season.

That being said, I believe that it is unwise for the schools to return to green, as it feels like being a passenger on a sinking ship after seeing what happened last time. I will not be shocked when we inevitably go back to red in a month.