57% of Teens Back Kneeling NFL Players Over Trump in Nationwide Poll, Most Believe People of Color Not Treated Fairly

San Francisco, California, Oct. 04, 2017 -- 24,208 teens shared their stance on NFL players kneeling for social justice in a nationwide poll on social network After School. 57% of teens sided with NFL players, compared to 43% who agreed with President Trump that NFL players should be forced to stand during the national anthem or be fired.

In the third question in the NFL Protest Poll hosted by After School, teens were asked "Are People of Color treated fairly in America?" 49% responded "no" while 36% said "yes." 16% of poll takers answered "I don't know." After School users who chose to take the NFL Protest Poll were asked "Whose side are you on?" When clicking "Learn More," information about the issue was presented to the user before taking the poll.

The poll asked users (high school students 13-18):

• Whose side are you on?
• Why do you agree with (Players or Trump)?
• Are People of Color treated fairly in America?

Before taking the poll, each participant had the opportunity to learn more about the protests by viewing a “learn more” page that provided background information. The poll helped inform teens, spark conversation, and provide a snapshot of teens’ viewpoints on the issue. Teens from all 50 states took part in the flash poll.

Poll Results

#1. Whose side are you on? (24,028 Responses)

• Players (57%)
• Trump (43%)

#2A. (If “Players”) Why do you agree with the players?

• Freedom of speech (42%)
• Trump’s gone too far (30%)
• Injustices against black people (17%)
• Other (11%)

#2B. (If “Trump”) Why do you agree with Trump?

• It’s disrespectful (70%)
• Idk but I support Trump (5%)
• Can’t protest at work (17%)
• Other (8%)

#3. Are people of color treated fairly in America?

• No (49%)
• Yes (36%)
• I don’t know (16%)

This was the fourth After School poll. Previous poll topics included fake news, education quality, and the 2016 Presidential Election. In the After School 2016 Mock Presidential Election, over 100,000 voted as teens selected Trump (47.1% of the vote) over Hillary Clinton (32.6%). Teens also showed support for third-party candidates Gary Johnson (11.9%) and Jill Stein (8.5%). Teens have consistently proved to be independent thinkers who are not selecting based on preconceived political leanings.

In the recent NFL Protest Poll, a majority of teens favored the viewpoint of the players, but a strong minority backed Trump. In comments made in the app, teens offered their opinions and reasons for their answers. “This is America. If you want to kneel during the national anthem, you can do that. Our soldiers died so they could have that right. America is great because of those rights,” said a teen anonymously on After School. “These NFL players kneeling during the national anthem need their asses fired,” said another.  

After School polls are created to raise civic awareness, encourage conversation, and inform teens on important issues. 

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/43873887-3a98-4d30-9e34-a5ae8e3ab4e4

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a34c784b-0b76-42dc-b759-7bcdb3660500

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eb35edf0-d6bd-4b40-9d98-1345958397d3

Michael Luchies
After School
309-846-2157
[email protected]