:Taking the knee
{{Short description|Symbolic gesture protesting racism}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2021}}
{{for-multi|other uses|Taking a knee (disambiguation)|the gesture in other contexts|Genuflection}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}
File:Washington Redskins National Anthem Kneeling (37301887651) (cropped) (cropped).jpg players kneeling before a game against the Oakland Raiders in September 2017]]
Taking the knee (or taking a knee) is a symbolic gesture against racism whereby an individual kneels upon one knee in place of standing to attention for an anthem or other such occasion. It was originated by American football player Colin Kaepernick on September 1, 2016, in protest against the lack of attention given to the issues of racial inequality and police brutality in the United States. Kaepernick's protest led to a wider series of national anthem protests.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-53098516|title=Black Lives Matter: Where does 'taking a knee' come from?|work=BBC News|date=June 18, 2020}} It has since been adopted by sports players in countries around the world, including association football in the United Kingdom, in solidarity with Kaepernick's protest against racism, and has been seen worldwide in non-sporting contexts such as the Black Lives Matter protests.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-53098516|title=What's taking the knee and why was it an issue at Euro 2020?|work=BBC News |date=July 13, 2021}}
U.S. national anthem kneeling protests
{{main|U.S. national anthem kneeling protests}}
The gesture originated in a 2016 American football game, during which Colin Kaepernick and his 49ers teammate Eric Reid chose to kneel during the playing of the US national anthem, to call attention to the issues of racial inequality and police brutality.{{cite news|last= Reid|first= Eric|title= Opinion {{!}} Eric Reid: Why Colin Kaepernick and I Decided to Take a Knee|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/25/opinion/colin-kaepernick-football-protests.html|newspaper= The New York Times|date= September 25, 2017|access-date= 12 July 2021|issn= 0362-4331|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170926221519/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/25/opinion/colin-kaepernick-football-protests.html|archive-date= September 26, 2017|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}} Reid said of the decision:
{{blockquote|After hours of careful consideration, and even a visit from Nate Boyer, a retired Green Beret and former NFL player, we came to the conclusion that we should kneel, rather than sit, the next day during the anthem as a peaceful protest. We chose to kneel because it’s a respectful gesture. I remember thinking our posture was like a flag flown at half-mast to mark a tragedy.}}
During the 2016 season, a small number of other players also took the knee before matches.{{cite news |last1=Garber |first1=Megan |title=They Took a Knee |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/09/why-the-nfl-is-protesting/540927/ |access-date=20 July 2021 |work=The Atlantic |date=24 September 2017 |language=en}} Taking a knee became more frequent after then-President Trump criticized the gesture during a rally in September 2017, describing it as a disrespectful act against the United States national anthem and flag, and urging NFL team owners to sack "son of a bitch" players who performed it. In response, over a hundred NFL players took the knee in subsequent weeks, along with athletes from other sports, and spectators.
Use in association football
File:FC Krasnodar vs Chelsea supporters 2020-10-31.jpg and Chelsea F.C. kneeling at the start of a UEFA Champions League match in October 2020]]
Taking the knee was used by many clubs before kick-off throughout the 2020–21 English association football season, which was booed by some fans.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/wayne-rooney-millwall-fans-boo-blm-derby-b1766998.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/wayne-rooney-millwall-fans-boo-blm-derby-b1766998.html |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Wayne Rooney hits out at Millwall fans' 'disgraceful and mindless' behaviour in booing BLM gesture|date=December 6, 2020|website=The Independent}}{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/07/minister-decries-millwall-fans-who-booed-players-for-taking-a-knee|title=Minister decries Millwall fans who booed players for taking a knee|date=December 7, 2020|work=The Guardian}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55327275|title=Cambridge fans' jeers for knee protest 'embarrassing' - Mark Bonner|date=December 15, 2020|work=BBC Sport}}
In a June 2020 radio interview, United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said that he saw the gesture as "a symbol of subjugation and subordination, rather than one of liberation and emancipation", adding that he was unaware whether it had a broader history and that it seemed to him to be "taken from the Game of Thrones".{{cite news |title=Black Lives Matter: Raab criticised over 'Game of Thrones' comment |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53093244 |date=June 18, 2020 |access-date=July 23, 2021}}{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Walker |title=Dominic Raab criticised for comments on BLM protesters taking the knee |work=The Guardian |date=June 18, 2020 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jun/18/dominic-raab-taking-the-knee-feels-like-symbol-of-subjugation |access-date=July 23, 2021}}{{cite news |first=Jon |last=Stone |title=Dominic Raab says he would only take the knee for Queen or his wife |work=The Independent |date=June 19, 2020 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/dominic-raab-take-the-knee-queen-wife-black-lives-matter-a9572401.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/dominic-raab-take-the-knee-queen-wife-black-lives-matter-a9572401.html |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=July 23, 2021}}{{cite news |first=Neil |last=Kinnock |author-link=Neil Kinnock |title=Raab is wrong about taking the knee |work=The Guardian |date=June 18, 2020 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jun/18/raab-is-wrong-about-taking-the-knee |access-date=July 23, 2021}}
In September 2020, Middlesbrough said they would stop taking the knee.{{cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/18752564.britt-assombalonga-explains-middlesbroughs-players-decided-stop-taking-knee/|title=Britt Assombalonga explains why Middlesbrough's players have decided to stop taking a knee|date=September 28, 2020|work=The Northern Echo}} In December 2020 players from Millwall and QPR said they would not take the knee, but would instead stand arm-in-arm.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55223935|title=Millwall and QPR players to stand arm-in-arm in 'show of solidarity' before Tuesday's match|date=December 8, 2020|work=BBC Sport}} By February 2021 other teams had stopped taking the knee, including Brentford,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56057908|title=Brentford to stop taking a knee but reiterate support of anti-discrimination projects|date=February 15, 2021|work=BBC Sport}} while individual players from other teams such as Wilfried Zaha said they would also stop.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56123991|title=Wilfried Zaha: Crystal Palace forward will stop taking the knee before matches|date=February 19, 2021|work=BBC Sport}} Zaha later became the first Premier League player to stop taking the knee.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56388512|title=Wilfried Zaha: Crystal Palace forward is first Premier League player not to take a knee|date=March 13, 2021|work=BBC Sport}} Derby County stopped in March 2021.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56291904|title=Derby County: Wayne Rooney's Rams decide to stop taking a knee|date=March 6, 2021|work=BBC Sport}}
On June 8, 2021, prior to an international friendly game between Hungary and the Republic of Ireland, the Irish players were booed by some Hungarian fans prior to kick-off for taking the knee.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57411682|title=Chiedozie Ogbene calls for Uefa action after Ireland players booed for taking a knee in Hungary|date=June 9, 2021|work=BBC Sport}}
File:Taking the knee London Stadium2022.jpeg and Manchester City F.C. take the knee on the opening weekend of the 2022–23 Premier League season]]
The England national team took the knee before matches in 2021's UEFA European Football Championship,{{cite news |title=Southgate, PM & FA condemn player abuse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57800431 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=12 July 2021}} resulting in booing from some fans.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-57382945|title=England taking the knee: Why some fans say they are booing players|work=BBC News|date=June 7, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/2244447/2021/06/03/taking-knee-football-racism-violence-marxism-blm/|title='Why should I support violence?' Answering the objections to taking a knee|first=Ryan|last=Conway|date=June 3, 2021|website=The Athletic}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/euro-2021/2021/06/08/jordan-henderson-taking-knee-racism-roy-keane-wrong/|title=Jordan Henderson: Taking the knee and racism - and why Roy Keane was wrong|first=Jason|last=Burt|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=June 8, 2021|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/06/05/football/euro-2020-england-taking-a-knee-spt-intl/index.html|title=Euro 2020: Football's coming home, but taking a knee divides England fans|author=John Sinnott|date=June 9, 2021|website=CNN}} Conservative MP Lee Anderson stated that he would not watch England games in the tournament as a direct result of this political gesture, saying he believed that "the vast majority of these fans booing last night are not racist" and thought they were "more likely to [...] not share the Marxist views of BLM".{{cite news |title=Taking the knee: Tory MP Lee Anderson admits he is 'annoyed' about boycotting Euros final over the gesture |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/taking-the-knee-tory-mp-lee-anderson-boycott-euros-final-england-gesture-1095251 |access-date=13 July 2021 |work=inews.co.uk |date=9 July 2021 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Locker |first1=Joseph |title=Nottinghamshire MP Lee Anderson will not watch 'beloved England' in Euro 2020 after players take knee |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/nottinghamshire-mp-lee-anderson-not-5493867 |access-date=14 July 2021 |work=Nottinghamshire Live |date=5 June 2021}} Kick It Out's chief executive Tony Burnett considered the booing an example of racism in the sport.{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12326827/england-players-being-booed-for-taking-a-knee-considered-a-racist-act-by-officials-according-to-senior-football-administrator|title=England players being booed for taking a knee considered 'a racist act' by officials, according to senior football administrator|date=June 8, 2021|website=Sky Sports}} The English Football Association later asked fans to respect the players' wishes to take the knee.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57457120|title=Uefa Euro 2020: Respect England players' wishes over taking a knee, says FA|work=BBC Sport|date=June 12, 2021}} England players were booed by Poland fans for kneeling against racism ahead of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at National Stadium, Warsaw.{{cite web |url=https://tvn24.pl/tvn24-news-in-english/english-players-booed-by-polish-fans-for-kneeling-against-racism-5406758 |title=Polish fans booed English players for kneeling against racism |publisher=TVN24 |date=9 September 2021 |access-date=14 September 2021}}
In July 2021, Conservative MP Steve Baker said the Government should start backing players taking the knee,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-57828402|title=Conservative MP Steve Baker urges party to back players taking the knee|date=July 14, 2021|work=BBC News}} after Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel had declined to condemn those who booed.{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/07/boris-johnson-refuses-to-condemn-fans-booing-england-taking-the-knee|title=Boris Johnson refuses to condemn fans booing England taking the knee|date=June 7, 2021|website=The Guardian}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/priti-patel-taking-knee-boo-england-b1865409.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/priti-patel-taking-knee-boo-england-b1865409.html |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Priti Patel says fans have right to boo England team for 'gesture politics' of taking the knee|date=June 14, 2021|work=The Independent}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-priti-patel-taking-knee-b1883329.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-priti-patel-taking-knee-b1883329.html |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Everything Boris Johnson and Priti Patel said about taking the knee|date=July 13, 2021|website=The Independent}} Keir Starmer, Leader of the Opposition and leader of the Labour Party, said England's players were "right to take the knee".{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/keir-starmer-southgates-squad-shows-24519312|title=Keir Starmer: 'Southgate's squad were right to take the knee - they show best of England'|date=June 12, 2021|website=Daily Mirror|last=Starmer|first=Keir}}
Ahead of the 2022–23 Premier League season, Premier League club captains agreed to their teams no longer taking the knee routinely before matches,{{cite news |last1=Stone |first1=Simon |title=Premier League captains in talks on taking a knee |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62387030 |access-date=8 August 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 August 2022}} instead restricting the gesture to "significant moments" of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12664693/premier-league-players-will-limit-taking-a-knee-before-matches-league-announces-ahead-of-new-season|title=Premier League players will limit taking a knee before matches, league announces ahead of new season|access-date=3 August 2022|website=Sky Sports}} Some captains felt that the gesture had lost its power, and hoped that restricting it would increase its impact.{{cite news |last1=Hytner |first1=David |title=Premier League players will no longer take the knee before every match |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/aug/03/premier-league-players-will-no-longer-take-the-knee-before-every-match-blm |access-date=8 August 2022 |work=the Guardian |date=3 August 2022 |language=en}} Captains affirmed their commitment towards fighting racism and other forms of discrimination.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/english-premier-league/story/4712201/premier-league-players-agree-to-stop-taking-a-knee-before-every-game|title=Premier League players agree to stop taking a knee before every game|access-date=3 August 2022|website=ESPN|date=August 3, 2022 }} During the 2022 FIFA World Cup game between England and Iran, England players took the knee prior to kick off while Iran's players stayed silent during their national anthem in acknowledgment of the protests in their country over the death of Mahsa Amini.{{cite news |title=England open World Cup by taking the knee - as Iran players remain silent during their national anthem |url=https://news.sky.com/story/amp/england-open-world-cup-by-taking-the-knee-as-iran-players-remain-silent-during-their-national-anthem-12752390 |access-date=21 November 2022 |work=Sky News |date=21 November 2022 |language=en}}
Ahead of the 2023–24 Premier League the Premier League confirmed that players would continue to take the knee before "significant fixtures" which were given as the opening and final games of the season and dedicated No Room For Racism fixtures in October and April, and Boxing Day fixtures.{{cite web | title=Premier League Statement | website=West Ham United F.C. | url=https://www.whufc.com/news/premier-league-statement-1 | access-date=8 August 2023}}
Similar gestures in history
File:Official medallion of the British Anti-Slavery Society (1795).jpg medallion created as part of anti-slavery campaign by Josiah Wedgwood, 1787]]
Writing in 2021, historian Farah Peterson saw the performance of the gesture in 2016 as a subversion and a reclamation of black confrontations with power, given that historically images of black people kneeling have been associated with oppression.{{cite web|last=Peterson|first=Farah|title=On Our Knees|date=September 7, 2021 |quote=What the history of a gesture can tell us about Black creative power|url=https://theamericanscholar.org/on-our-knees/|access-date=31 August 2023}}
Josiah Wedgwood pottered the image of a black man kneeling in shackles and depicting slavery on the emblem of the British abolitionist movement during the 18th and 19th centuries—a movement to ban slavery and ill-treatment of people.{{cite news |title=Taking the knee, and how BLM became synonymous with Communism |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/blm-taking-knee-euros-communism-b1864041.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/blm-taking-knee-euros-communism-b1864041.html |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=27 July 2021 |work=The Independent |date=15 June 2021 |language=en}}
In 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. knelt in prayer with a group of equalities marchers during the Selma to Montgomery marches.
In 1962, American photographer Danny Lyon took a picture in Cairo, Illinois, showing three demonstrators on bended knee praying in front of the city's racially segregated swimming pool. Used in a poster of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), it quickly became an iconic image of the US civil rights movement.{{cite web|last=Forbes|first=Duncan|title=Come Let us Build a New World Together|date=August 5, 2020|url=https://www.vam.ac.uk/blog/museum-life/come-let-us-build-a-new-world-together?srsltid=AfmBOoqzf-tIBN2D7vxd2yE8b5hDFWJg5DvCpQyPVyEkaIXRgtxYkRc3}}