Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The United States has used these words as a foundation for building society as we know it. But does life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness apply to everyone regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, or color? Based on how polarizing the debate has become, one might start to think the answer is more complicated than just a straight yes or no. The answer, of course, depends on many factors; such as, how a person is raised, personal experiences, natural disposition, etcetera. According to Colin Kaepernick, a former National Football League (NFL) player for the San Francisco 49ers, our country is not respecting these words. Because of this, many athletes and American citizens are choosing not to participate in national traditions. Recently, the actions of a few NFL players, including Kaepernick, ignited large-scale controversy over the American flag and whether not participating in the Pledge of Allegiance and/or national anthem should be construed as disrespectful. Both sides make some fair points, but it is a person’s constitutional right …