The other night, the controversy surrounding some athletes kneeling during the national anthem came to Atlanta. The USWNT (United States Women's National Team) for soccer was playing against the Netherlands. During the playing of the U.S. national anthem, a member of the USWNT (Megan Rapinoe) made headlines for kneeling. Some of my 3rd grade students asked about the controversy which initiated the conversation "what does it mean to stand for the national anthem or the pledge?"

The conversation "setlist" went like this (in the style of a jam band concert):

• "The pledge"
• S: "why are people kneeling during the national anthem?"
• The flag
  • "what do the stripes mean?"-->
    • What are the 13 colonies-->
    • Why did they want England to leave them be?-->
  • What was so unfair?-->
    • Declaration of Independence-->
    • what rights should we have?
• Are all Americans being treated fairly?

(discussion to be continued)

This is a pretty heavy way to start the day, but a worthy conversation.