Nationwide — A viral video of an African American female student remaining seated during the national anthem at her college graduation has triggered strong reactions online. The clip, viewed nearly 700,000 times, has drawn praise, criticism, and racist comments.
The video posted on X by @IAnonPatriot, a user known for sharing conservative content. It quickly attracted outrage from right-wing users. Some demanded she “leave the country,” while one person suggested, “One way ticket to Gaza, Somalia, Sudan, or Syria. She can pick which one she wants.”
Controversy over anthem protests is nothing new. In 2016, NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick made headlines for kneeling during the anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality. He faced intense backlash and was not signed again after becoming a free agent, according to Atlanta Black Star.
The woman in the viral video faced similar outrage. One user warned employers not to hire her, saying, “She will be the laziest worker because she will be the most entitled one. She will be the first to sue you and call you a racist when she doesn’t get her way.” Another posted a racist comment mocking her hairstyle.
Still, not all responses were negative. A U.S. Air Force veteran said, “I stopped standing for the pledge when I realized the Feds lie about war. The only dumba** going on here is recording herself.” Another person shifted the focus back to her milestone, writing, “Congratulations to the grad!”