Examining Predictors of Latinx Adults’ Attitudes Toward Different Forms of US National Anthem Protests Against Police Brutality and Racial Injustice

Abstract

The most recent national anthem protests, which were initiated by Colin Kaepernick in 2016, have elicited a variety of reactions from people and deeply split public opinion. Previous research regarding the perceptions of these protests has identified race as a significant factor. In this study, I take a fresh look at the role of race by examining attitudes toward the national anthem protests among Latinx American young adults. Additionally, the study also examines the impact of perceptions of police, perceptions of injustice, and political engagement on Latinx perceptions of the national anthem protests. The results of the study surprisingly and interestingly show that race did not play a significant role in shaping attitudes toward the protests. However, perceptions of police, perceptions of injustice, and political engagement were all significantly related to attitudes toward various forms of national anthem protests. The meaning, the significance, and the implications of these results are discussed.