Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Sun Youth Forum:

It matters how and why we protest the US flag

Editor’s note: About 1,000 students from high schools throughout Southern Nevada participated in the 62nd annual Sun Youth Forum on Nov. 29. The students were divided into groups to discuss a variety of topics. A representative was chosen from each group to write a column about the students’ findings. This essay addresses the issues covered by the America group.

Student representative Jack Plourde, of Durango High School, poses during the 62nd annual Las Vegas Sun Youth Forum at the Las Vegas Convention Center Thursday Nov. 29, 2018.

Student representative Jack Plourde, of Durango High School, poses during the 62nd annual Las Vegas Sun Youth Forum at the Las Vegas Convention Center Thursday Nov. 29, 2018.

To my surprise, the subject that prompted the most discussion among my group at the Sun Youth Forum wasn’t abortion or President Donald Trump.

Instead, it was former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and the evolution of his protests against police brutality and systematic racism.

We initially were able to find some common ground in poking fun at Kaepernick’s questionable quarterback prowess, but almost immediately the conversation evolved into something more serious.

Our room divided itself along a clearly defined line on the protest, which was reflective of nationwide polls showing that 54 percent of Americans were opposed to players kneeling during the national anthem versus 43 percent who viewed it as appropriate.

Everybody appeared to be inflexible in their beliefs, until someone brought up the September 2017 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears. During that game, Steelers offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva stood alone on the field for the anthem while his teammates elected to remain in their locker room.

Many of us were shocked to hear that the Steelers refused to stand in solidarity with Villanueva, an Army Ranger who had defended their freedoms.

The bravery that prompted Villanueva to distinguish himself from his teammates is indisputable, a realization that led many of us to concede parts of our arguments. Fortunately, this allowed for us to make an important distinction that defined an appropriate protest versus a disrespectful one.

The majority agreed that a dignified acknowledgement of the flag and what it represents is crucial to a healthy patriotism that has allowed our great country to prosper.

The ability to reach consensus on not just one divisive issue but several was not something I expected out of the Sun Youth Forum. The way my peers and I view our political climate is not with a feeling of admiration; we see everyday people being attacked for their beliefs.

So experiencing our respectful dialogue was an important revitalization of my hope for this country, and hopefully a reminder to many that teenagers hold valuable opinions that can make credible contributions to our political climate.

Jack Plourde is a junior at Durango High School.