This past weekend I spent some time watching the US Olympic trials. I was very impressed by so many of our young athletes. So many of them proved that through hard work and determination you can achieve your dreams. Simone Biles shines in gymnastics and in the final rotation fell off the balance beam. The reason I mention it is after she finished her routine she was sitting with her coach and neither of them said one word. She had a few tears run down her cheeks as she knew she had made a mistake but you could tell was harder on herself mentally than anything her coach would be able to say to her. After this she did her floor routine and redeemed herself. But that desire and picture spoke volumes for who she is and how much pride she has in herself and our country.
Conversely we had an athlete, Gwen Berry, who finished third in the hammer throw, made the Olympic team and proceeded to turn her back to the flag on the podium and cover her head with a shirt reading "Activist Athlete." When asked about it she said "But I don’t really want to talk about the anthem because that’s not important. The anthem doesn’t speak for me. It never has. My purpose and my mission is bigger than sports, I’m here to represent those … who died due to systemic racism. That’s the important part. That’s why I’m going. That’s why I’m here today.” In other words she is not there to represent the best values of the United States, she is there to selfishly use her platform to point out how racist America is in her eyes. For those who have kept up with this blog know I fully support free speech and every Americans right to peacefully protest. I also believe the sports fields are not the place for such things, especially the Olympic sports fields. I would have no problem with her leading protests, not riots, in her community or raise money to combat any racism she feels exists, just not while competing and representing America in front of the world.
Maybe I am an idealist but I have fond memories of watching the summer and winter games. Watching the best athletes in the world compete to prove their country is the best in their respective sport. Then when winning and standing atop the podium to have the Gold medal placed around their neck while their countries national anthem plays. Some athletes beam with pride in the accomplishment, some break down in tears, and some stand tall and represent the best values of America. That is what I want to see from our Olympians. I also am not one to call for boycotts or cancelling of someone but in this case I fully support the Olympic committee removing her from the team and not allowing her to represent us on the world stage.
The obvious differences in these things is a painful reminder of what our society is becoming. Our younger generation are becoming self entitled, unappreciative, and most of all ungrateful for all of the blessing our great country has given to them. Why would an Olympic athlete who is obviously blessed with a great life where she is taken care of and idolized feel oppressed? Yes there is a long history of racism in our country. Yes racist people still exist today, although a small minority of people. And yes when we see it we should call it out and do our best to change that mindset. But in reality her actions just prove what our young people are being taught and groomed to think. There is nothing wrong with patriotism and nothing wrong with being proud to be from and represent America. Lets get back to a point where we stand on the word stage and prove why our country is the greatest in the world and why we are a beacon for all people to strive for. I am proud to be an American despite our historical flaws.
