Call it the “Kaepernick effect” or call it a small gesture of support for those affected by police brutality, but it appears that silent protests at sporting events are spreading.
On Tuesday, students from Oakland Unified School District’s honor band took a knee during their rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” before the Oakland A’s game in the Oakland Coliseum. These weren’t pro sports players, celebrities, or noted activists. Instead, they were just regular middle and high school students concerned about the treatment of black Americans by police.
Some members of the band knelt in silent solidarity with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his message against police violence.
@OUSDNews Honor Band played the National Anthem before tonight's @Athletics game! https://t.co/thG9Z6hILe pic.twitter.com/4scQnn9ATy
— Oakland Schools (@OUSDNews) September 21, 2016
Instead of being reprimanded, the school district praised the students’ actions on social media. A Facebook post by the school read:
“Toward the end of the song, most of the 155 middle and high school students took a knee in protest against police brutality and unfair treatment of people of color in America.”
The students were following in the footsteps of Kaepernick, who has been vocal against police brutality in recent weeks and who was recently featured on the cover of TIME magazine for his silent protests. In August, Kaepernick told NFL media:
"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."
According to The Huffington Post, police have killed at least 67 people, including 15 black people, since Kaepernick took a knee, with only one officer, Betty Shelby, being charged with manslaughter.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.