Protesting has always been a powerful way to express one’s beliefs, but it is essential to choose the right platform and audience for effective impact. This was a lesson painfully learned by the Bluefield College men’s basketball team, who faced consequences for their controversial decision to kneel during the National Anthem.

When the athletes began kneeling during the anthem, it was seen as a form of protest against racial injustice and police brutality. However, their actions did not go unnoticed by college president David Olive, who warned them to cease their protest or face the consequences. Despite the warning, the players continued to kneel, resulting in multiple players being suspended and the entire team having to forfeit a game.

In a statement, Olive acknowledged that he understood the players’ perspective, but he believed that their method of protest was doing more harm than good. Instead of bringing people together, he felt that it was causing further division. Olive also expressed concerns that the message the players were trying to convey would be lost on their audience.

Olive emphasized that when the players wore their Bluefield College jerseys, they represented the entire institution. Their actions reflected on the college, potentially alienating alumni, friends, and donors. He believed that their method of protest was not appropriate for the platform they were using.

The players, on the other hand, were frustrated with Olive’s decision. They claimed that they had been informed prior to the season that kneeling would not be a problem. They also criticized the college administration for sending conflicting messages and restricting their ability to speak to the media.

While the athletes had good intentions, their method of protest did not effectively address the issue of racial injustice. Olive believed that there is a time and place for protesting, and using someone else’s platform comes with certain responsibilities. He stood by his decision to prohibit kneeling during the National Anthem, emphasizing the importance of uniting people in addressing these issues.

The incident at Bluefield College serves as a powerful reminder that while exercising our right to protest is crucial, it is equally important to consider the platform and audience. The players’ actions not only had consequences for themselves but also for their team and college as a whole. In the fight against racial injustice, it is imperative to find ways to bring people together instead of further dividing them.