The 140-member Oakland Honor Band, made up of middle and high school students, took a knee during their pregame performance at Monday night’s A’s game at the Oakland Coliseum.
The Oakland Unified School District Honor Band played the national anthem at an Oakland Athletics game on Monday night, as they do every year. However, this performance was distinguishable by the social commentary woven into it. The musicians, positioned in four neat rows on the field, performed the entire song while kneeling.
The protest was orchestrated by the students themselves, as noted by Oakland Unified spokesperson John Sasaki.
“These are very bright, well-spoken young people who knew exactly what they were doing,” he stated. With their action, the students were protesting “racial injustice, police brutality, and the policies of President Trump.”
Members of the Oakland Unified School District Band kneel while performing the national anthem prior to a baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and the Oakland Athletics on Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, in Oakland, Calif.
Ben Margot/Associated Press
Last year, the Honor Band, composed of middle and high school students from across the district, similarly took a knee at the end of the anthem, sparking a minor controversy within the community, according to Sasaki.
“Yet, they still wanted to do it this time,” he continued, illustrating the commitment of the students to their cause.
Sasaki noted that the band’s adult supervision supported the protest, but they cautioned the students about potential backlash.
Even then, according to Sasaki, “That possibility did not faze them.”
This display of solidarity within the Oakland Honor Band reflects a growing trend among youth across the nation to engage in activism. In recent years, young people have been increasingly vocal about issues that matter to them, including gun control, climate change, and social justice. Events such as the March for Our Lives and the School Strike for Climate have seen students taking the initiative and using their voices to influence policy and public opinion.
The act of kneeling during the national anthem, a form of protest popularized by athletes like Colin Kaepernick, has become a powerful symbol of resistance against systemic injustice in America. It’s a movement that transcends sports, echoing through different sectors of society, including education, as demonstrated by the Oakland Honor Band.
Experts have noted that youth activism plays a crucial role in shaping conversations around these pressing issues. Dr. Angela Davis, civil rights activist and political prisoner, once said, “Radical simply means ‘grasping things at the root.’” This quote underscores the importance of young people’s engagement in social issues as they seek to address the underlying causes of injustice.
As the Oakland Honor Band took a knee, they not only made a statement about their own beliefs but also encouraged their peers to reflect on the power of collective action. It serves as a reminder that the voices of the youth are not only vital for their communities but also potent forces for change within society at large.
The visibility of young activists encourages further dialogue around these critical issues, often teaching the next generation the importance of staying informed and involved in social movements. As political climates change and new challenges arise, it is clear that the role of youth in advocacy will be ever more significant.
The students of the Oakland Unified School District, through their courageous stand during the national anthem, exemplified how youth can lead movements and foster discussion about essential societal issues. Their actions resonate deeply and serve as inspiration for others to use their voices for change.
