Soon, it was time for homecoming. I had students all lined up to sing the national anthem at the start of the football game. The students decided amongst themselves to take a knee before they sang as recognition of the Black Lives Matter movement. I told them to be prepared for consequences, but that they had my full support.
Sure enough, some parents began to boo as the kids took a knee before singing. The boos, though, were mixed with cheers. The same thing happened after the kids finished singing.
Indeed, Benji walked off the field, shaking like a leaf. “That was the scariest thing I’ve ever done.”
I clapped a hand on his shoulder. “And it’s only just the start. Be prepared for some public comment.”
And again, sure enough, about halfway through the first part of the game, a local ne
