While “taking a knee” has become the preferred form of protest for athletes in this country, one group of young men recently proved that the act can still serve as a powerful sign of respect.
A group of teens playing basketball outside a Louisiana junior high school last week paused their game to kneel as a funeral procession drove past, WAFB-TV reported.
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Later, Lynn Bienvenu, a family member of the deceased, took to social media to share her amazement and gratitude for what was clearly an act of respect and not rebellion.
While attending a family funeral the procession passed a group of young boys shooting hoops. Take a look closely. They…
Posted by Lynn Bickham Bienvenu on Saturday, April 21, 2018
In a Facebook post, Bienvenu noted how impressive it was that the teens kneeled even though there wasn’t “an adult [in sight] to tell them to stop playing.”
“This meant a great deal to our family,” she wrote. “May God bless each one as I feel they will achieve greatness.”
Since it was posted Saturday, the photo has been shared more than 3,500 times and garnered close to 7,000 reactions on Facebook.
“Good to see young men can still show respect in this world!” one commenter wrote.
“What a great display of respect and compassion for others,” added another. “It’s great to see this.”
Bienvenu said that she’s not surprised that her post went viral.
“I think people are hungry to see good things and encouraging things,” she told WAFB.
She added that one of the young men even reached out to her on behalf of his friends to express their condolences. He added that their basketball coach was the one who taught them such respect.
“We don’t have to do great acts to show kindness,” Bienvenu said. “Just something as simple as that. Or opening a door. You know, being kind to someone, or respectful. It means a lot.”
(H/T: TribLIVE)