In 2016, former 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick decided to stop standing for the National Anthem in hopes he would raise awareness about racism and police brutality. The #TakeAKnee movement started when Kaepernick decided to kneel instead of sitting to show that his protest was not about disrespecting the U.S. Military. The silent protest spread throughout the country, inspiring many people to speak out and kneel during the National Anthem including one of our very own , Amil’Leon (Milly) Joslin.

Whether it is at pep assemblies or games you will catch Joslin kneeling during the National Anthem. Joslin’s decision to start kneeling began the summer before her Junior year which is also when she began cheerleading. Her fear about kneeling was losing her position as a cheerleader but she decided that if she believed in something that hard she could start a change and that’s exactly what her goal is. “That’s my goal, to start a change and to get people to notice that there are problems in our country.”Her kneeling has to deal with the way the United States deals with serious issues that are common like white privilege, racism, and police brutality.

During North’s 2017-2018 Basketball tournaments, our Varsity Cheerleaders joined our Varsity Basketball team in Lawrence Kansas to play against Lawrence Free State. The days leading up to the game, Lawrence Free State contacted North about our mascot, a Redskin, which they see as racist. Joslin’s cheer coach Gina Toscano, talked with her about possibly not kneeling at that specific game. Although Toscano wished Joslin would’ve brought the fact she was kneeling to her team before hand she was only concerned about her safety at the Lawrence game. Toscano’s fear about anyone getting aggressive with the team led her to ask Joslin not to kneel. “I want to support each and everyone of you -cheerleaders-with something like that in any way I can.” Toscano said. “She didn’t want me to add fuel to the fire if they’re already upset because we call ourselves Redskins.” Joslin decided to have a talk with our former Principal Sherman Padgett, and her coach about her decision in taking a knee that night, “He was on my side 100%.”

Joslin also had the chance to connect with an alumni last year during the alumni pep assembly. “When I took my knee where I was standing in line I was standing directly in front of the alumni. I didn’t look back to see if they looked at me a certain kind of way or if they were watching me, but once I got up a lady looked at me and she nodded her head and she gave me a thumbs up.” The alumn remains unknown but expressed how proud she was of Joslin after the pep assembly.

Joslin protesting has led her to meet new people and see other perspectives from adults and peers. “I actually want people to ask me why I kneel instead of getting offended..I’m using my voice, there’s so many people in other countries and back then that didn’t have a voice so i’m using my voice.”