Damascus Principal Jennifer Webster Addresses National Anthem, Freedom of Speech

Damascus Principal Jennifer Webster penned an open letter addressed to the Damascus Community regarding the National Anthem.
 

"Recently, a conversation has emerged about what the National Anthem means to different people and communities in the context of race relations in America. Some, including student athletes in Montgomery County schools, are participating in this conversation by kneeling or engaging in other silent protests during the performance of the National Anthem."

That was in effect a response to Watkins Mill football players who took a knee during the playing of the anthem before the 'Rines game versus Gaithersburg on September 9.

"We just wanted to make a statement," said Markel Grant, one of the Watkins Mill team captains who took a knee, "that America is not what you think it is."

Watkins Mill High School scheduled a town hall meeting today that invited students and staff to discuss freedom of speech.

Damascus hosts Watkins Mill this Friday. The game's theme is "Maryland Pride." The school sold red t-shirts with a Maryland flag, a Damascus hornet logo, with "The Swarm" emblazoned in front of it.

Meanwhile in the NFL, Miami Dolphins LB Jelani Jenkins- a Good Counsel Alum- who joined teammates Arian Foster, Michael Thomas, and Kenny Stills in taking a knee during the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner before their game with the Seahawks on September 11 writes on Time Magazine his reasons for taking a knee during the song, "And why it's time to stand up."

Jenkins writes, "this is not about football, the flag, the military, o Jelani Jenkins. This is about the message: equality for all."

Relating conversations on The Board:

• Next week at Damascus

• Watkins Mill team

• WM kneeling