Because they protested racial injustice by kneeling during the playing of the national anthem, five University of Texas (UT) students forfeited their scholarships. There was much discussion over this.
The kneeling protest was initiated in 2016 by Colin Kaepernick, a former NFL quarterback. Since then, it has grown to be a potent weapon in the battle against racism and police brutality.
The UT athletes became part of a broader movement advocating for justice for marginalized populations. Regarding UT’s alleged scholarship revocation, opinions vary greatly.
Supporters of the athletes argue that they should have the freedom to express themselves using their First Amendment rights, particularly when it comes to significant issues like racial inequity.
Some argue that penalizing students for demonstrating violates their right to free expression and runs counter to the university’s mission to create a varied and inclusive community.
