by Lenzy Krehbiel
Daily O’Collegian (Oklahoma State U.)
(U-WIRE) STILLWATER, Okla. — Over the past few decades, hypocrisy has become a standard in this country. Our national anthem calls America the “land of the free,” yet racial profiling is now acceptable to many in certain circumstances in light of recent events.
We rely on media outlets, this one included, to relay information about what’s going on in the world, but often get irritated or offended when a contrasting viewpoint is expressed.
Think back to your American government class, whenever that might have been.
One of the rights guaranteed under the First Amendment is freedom of speech, which includes the right to protest against our country and its government.
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When an ordinary citizen chooses to exercise that right, a few eyebrows might raise and every great once in a while, some good comes out of it.
However, when an athlete opts to protest, all hell breaks loose. At the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, American sprinters John Carlos and Tommie
Smith silently exercised their First Amendment right during a medal ceremony by raising a single fist and lowering their heads during the national anthem in protest of segregation, despite the 1964 Civil Rights Act and 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision. Consequently, they were banned from the Olympic Village.
A few years ago, Denver Nuggets guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf sat during the pre-game national anthem at a home game and was suspended indefinitely by the NBA. Recently, Dallas Mavericks star Steve Nash was harassed by reporters during a post-game conference for wearing a T-shirt sporting an anti-war slogan.
In the real world, most people don’t pay much attention to D-I women’s basketball, let alone Division III. Manhattanville (NY) College senior forward Toni Smith has caused quite an uproar this season. Smith, a sociology senior, has refused to face the flag during pre-game ceremonies all season long in protest of the potential war with Iraq and many of the inequalities and hypocrisies that our government stands for. Although her actions are supported by the university and are protected by the Bill of Rights, she has been subjected to taunts, jeers and protests at home and on the road, including a Vietnam veteran approaching her on the court with an American flag while another player was about to shoot a free throw.
At a recent road game at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, roughly 300 midshipmen spent the bulk of the game harassing her, going so far as to call for her deportation while she sat on the bench in foul trouble. Several alumni and athletic supporters have demanded for Ms. Smith’s scholarship to be revoked and for the senior to be dismissed from the team, a moot point as their season is over, save for the conference tournament. Despite the public condemnation by several well-known figures in the sports world – most notably University of Connecticut women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma and, ironically enough, ESPN’s Dan Patrick — the Manhattanville senior will continue to exercise her right to express her disgust, as well she should.
Change only comes about when people are brave enough to stand up for what they believe in. However, this should not be such a big deal. Many people, myself included, decline to participate in reciting the Pledge for personal reasons and minimal, if any, fuss is made. This courtesy must be extended to Ms. Smith and other athletes who choose to express their views in pre- and post-game events, lest any individually held beliefs be squelched by the ever-growing groupthink trend.
