From CNN:
American gold medalist kneels during national anthem at the Pan Am Games
American gold medalist fencer Race Imboden knelt as the national anthem played Friday at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, to protest racism, gun control, mistreatment of immigrants and President Donald Trump.
“We must call for change,” he tweeted afterward along with a photo. “This week I am honored to represent Team USA at the Pan Am Games, taking home Gold and Bronze. My pride however has been cut short by the multiple shortcomings of the country I hold so dear to my heart. Racism, Gun Control, mistreatment of immigrants, and a president who spreads hate are at the top of a long list.
By gun control, he doesn’t mean he’s protesting gun control. He’s protesting for more gun control.
One of the images that goes along with this is just amazing.
Yep, that is him kneeling in front of the Cuba flag.
The Venezuelan’s are fielding a pretty successful team there this year, picking up 37 medals already.
Like the Soviet Block countries during the Cold War or China today, that is possible because while the people starve, the government backs these teams.
So what we have here is an American, kneeling in protest against American civil rights in front of the privileged athletes representing the failed, oppressive socialist states of Cuba and Venezuela.
Maybe if he wants more gun control, he can emigrate to one of those nations and go play for their national teams. His privileged status as a national athlete should insulate him against having to eat out of a dumpster, being disappeared to a political prison, or run over by an armored car.
I read once that Ghandi would not be a well known name if it were not for the British. And, that does not mean that because the British were occupying India. Instead it meant that the only reason why Ghandi was not killed, imprisoned, or otherwise disappeared, was because the British Government was a benevolent government.
If this ungrateful jackhole was playing for any of the nations he holds in such high esteem, he would be disappeared, even with his high status as a world class athlete. It is only because the US is a country that values free expression, even when we find it distasteful or even borderline treasonous, that he can get away with what he did.
Is the US a perfect nation? No, we have our flaws. No doubt about it. No nation is perfect, no human is perfect. Racism will exist because people are prejudicial and biased. Murders will happen because people can be violent and quick to anger, or jealous, or just plain cruel. Bummer, deal with it snowflake.
One more point. The number of people who had their minds changed because of this action can be measured without the use of any fingers whatsoever. Meaningless gestures are just that. Meaningless. People who already agree with this jackass will continue to agree with him and heap praise on him. Those that disagree will not change their minds because of this gesture.
The Gandhi thing? “One Second After” by William R. Forstchen.
If Gandhi pulled the same crap in the Soviet Union, he’d been in Lubynka prison with a bullet in the back of his head within 48 hours of raising shit
That’s it. Could not recall the reference.
Those that push for an achieve societal change only succeed because the society is open and willing to accept the change.
Protesting like this on US soil is one thing, doing so on an international stage is quite another. Here, the worst that happens is that most folks will just think you a jackass. But on a world stage, showing a unified front is required for several legitimate reasons.
I only hope the two in front of him beat him with towel soap in the locker room after this stunt.
If he hates America so much … Consider this a renouncement of citizenship and let him stay outside.
Anybody have the formal name of the sanctioning body (in the US) of that team? Analogous to the USOC? Maybe a friendly letter to my congresscritter, with a copy to said body, about How! Happy! I am to have tax dime one sent their way, might be nice.
It appears to be the US Olympic committee:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_American_Games
(Section on Pan American Sports Organization)