Kneeling is generally a symbol of respectful submission to a superior. It is a way to show yourself to be a friend, presenting yourself in a defenseless position. One reason for this sign of humble submission is a feeling of shame and guilt, seeking forgiveness and mercy. This can be appropriate before a person you have deeply offended or sinned against; it is certainly appropriate before God.
But what does it mean to kneel when the national anthem is played? How does kneeling differ from standing? Some try to dismiss it as an alternative way to show respect, but for most people it is obvious that this is not the intent. When you stand up for the anthem, it indicates that you are proud of the nation, and proud to be an American. In contrast, kneeling indicates shame: being ashamed of the nation, apologetic, ashamed to be an American.
This interpretation is confirmed by Colin Kaepernick’s explanation: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” By kneeling, he refused to show pride, he was expressing shame.
This explains why taking the knee is so offensive to most Americans. It expresses the widespread belief on the political left that America is fundamentally evil, and that we have much more to be ashamed of than proud of. It is the attitude expressed by Michelle Obama, when she said that the event of her husband’s election was the first time in her adult life she could be proud of her country. Subsequently, president Obama showed the same attitude in his “apology tours”. It is the shame engendered by the historical negationism of Howard Zinn, and more recently expressed in the 1619 project.
Symbols and symbolic actions matter. Some symbolic acts unite a people under a common cause, other symbolic acts incite tribal divisions and strife. “Taking the knee” in response to the national anthem is of the latter kind, and is nothing less than a rejection of our nation as one nation. It dishonors our history, our founders and those who fought and died for her. Those who take the knee are expressing more than a grievance, they are expressing a much broader hate and ingratitude. They of course have a legal right to such expression, but the rest of us also have every right to be offended.