# Bronze medal Athlete fidgets and fusses during national anthem **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** olympic-sports-track\ **Created:** [June 28, 2021, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174 "2021-06-28T12:04:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2021, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/182 "2021-06-30T20:39:30Z")
Emotionally, I don’t really have anything invested. I’m going by what I see as facts and logic, and, like I said it’s most likely a screw-up, but it’s hardly a fringe possibility it was done on purpose. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2021, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/183 "2021-06-30T20:47:10Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Maybe it’s a random mistake, maybe it’s some white supremacist shitbag who follows the sport being pissed off at the America-Hating-Bleep who represents everything wrong with sports today. Surely you don’t think the USTAF and their [Board of directors](https://www.usatf.org/governance/board-of-directors) have no problem with employing white supremacist shit bags to gaslight their athletes? ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2021, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/184 "2021-07-01T17:07:55Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > My impression is that the playing of the anthem late was just a normal human error and had nothing to do with the athletes on the podium. Why is this your impression? > [@filmore](#): > > If it was intentional based on racism, then I would expect the racist person to have done something to the many other non-white athletes. Why? > [@filmore](#): > > If it was due to objection over her negative view towards America, I’m not certain that she’s well-known enough that the sound person would know her or know her stance. Are you certain that they wouldn’t have known? > [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > Just my opinion that it’s much more likely there was a fuckup in the production booth than somebody deciding this black woman was being uppity for winning a bronze medal, so they decided to put their job on the line and sabotage her big moment. An easy opinion for you to have. > [@chela](#): > > Surely you don’t think the USTAF and their [Board of directors](https://www.usatf.org/governance/board-of-directors) have no problem with employing white supremacist shit bags to gaslight their athletes? Is it an employee? How well to they vet them? How hard is it to believe that there is an employee or two that are racist? Seems likely to me. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2021, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/185 "2021-07-01T17:14:36Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I am not convinced that the bit about “the hireling and the slave” in the National Anthem is referring to actual enslaved people; rather it’s pretty clear that he’s calling George III’s forces hirelings and slaves- i.e mercenaries and unfree people, in contrast to the free Americans talked about a whole lot elsewhere in the song (“Land of the free”, for example). Would you be convinced by [an historian’s take on the matter?](https://www.pri.org/stories/2016-08-30/historians-disagree-whether-star-spangled-banner-racist) > [@](#): > > About 6,000 [African Americans fled to the British](http://harpers.org/archive/2014/09/washington-is-burning/) during the War of 1812, on the promise of freedom. Most of the men were recruited into the Royal Navy or into the Colonial Marines, a mostly black unit, which fought with distinction. > … > [Francis Scott] Key himself faced the black Colonial Marines in battle. His unit was beaten and humiliated by them. > > “His troops were slaughtered so aggressively,” Johnson says, “that he had to run home and hide in Washington DC. … So this was personal for him." In short, Key was embarrassed by Black troops on the battlefield, and wrote an angry ditty about it. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2021, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/186 "2021-07-01T17:23:43Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Would you be convinced by [an historian’s take on the matter?](https://www.pri.org/stories/2016-08-30/historians-disagree-whether-star-spangled-banner-racist) He’s a political science and journalism professor, not a historian. Plus, he used to be an editor for The Root, not exactly an academic journal. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2021, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/187 "2021-07-01T18:13:47Z")
Wait there’s 3 more stanzas to the Star Spangled Banner? How obscure! How odd? Who knew? I Just thank our lucky Stars and Stripes it’s over after 1 stanza. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2021, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/188 "2021-07-01T18:22:11Z")
And yet you feel you know her well enough to call her a butthurt primadonna. Sounds pretty personal to me. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2021, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/189 "2021-07-01T18:24:37Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Is she “anti-American”? Or is she just anti-American racism? To some, there is no difference. Protesting against racism in America is to be anti-American. Those are the ones who got butthurt over her display of discomfort over the unexpected use of the anthem while she was on the podium. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2021, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/190 "2021-07-01T19:00:42Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Surely you don’t think the USTAF and their [Board of directors](https://www.usatf.org/governance/board-of-directors) have no problem with employing white supremacist shit bags to gaslight their athletes? This doesn’t have to be something that involves the board of directors. It just needs one guy in the soundbox who feels the way you do about athletes having opinions on stuff, recognized her from her previous protest, and decided to fuck with her. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2021, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/191 "2021-07-01T19:11:19Z")
I’m surprised no one has deepened the GB gaslighting conspiracy by claiming her event was intentionally scheduled for 4 pm so that it would end when the anthem was about to play. Maybe all this BS about white supremacists in the control tower is actually a cabal of Gwen haters tweaking the master schedule of events. Yeah that’s the ticket you want to believe. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2021, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/192 "2021-07-01T19:18:12Z")
Are you triggered because she protested or are you triggered because she claims she was set up? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2021, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/193 "2021-07-01T19:29:08Z")
> [@chela](#): > > I’m surprised no one has deepened the GB gaslighting conspiracy by claiming her event was intentionally scheduled for 4 pm so that it would end when the anthem was about to play. When you find your expectations subverted in such a way, maybe it’s time to reexamine your own assumptions. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2021, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/194 "2021-07-01T19:37:37Z")
Is it not within the realm of possibility since you believe she was intentionally set up that maybe this gaslighting conspiracy you believe actually goes deeper and is a systemic flaw in the USATF organization that has an agenda against peaceful protesters? Hmmm ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2021, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/195 "2021-07-01T19:39:50Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > And yet you feel you know her well enough to call her a butthurt primadonna. > > Sounds pretty personal to me. I feel the same way about her as I do any drama queen who wants to be the planet the rest of the world revolves around. They all look the same to me regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, social media presence, whatever. You for sure are taking this personally! Look, believe what you want. 15 minutes from now, some other celebrity is going to OMG make news and get digital tongues wagging, and what’s-her-name will be forgotten. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2021, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/196 "2021-07-01T19:50:40Z")
Exactly! See you in Tokyo Gwen! Sayonara! ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2021, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/197 "2021-07-01T19:53:07Z")
You are the one who expressed surprise that what you expected did not happen. It is _your_ assumptions that are in question here. I don’t know that she was set up. I don’t know that there is enough information to be had to make that determination. On balance, I don’t think that she was. However, this isn’t what I know or think, given plenty of time to look and analyze, this is based on what she would have known or thought at that moment she was standing on the podium and the anthem started to play. Was her reaction to think that someone was intentionally fucking with her justifiable? Yes, I think it was, even if it was not ultimately the case. Now, even though you know all this, you still seem surprised that people are not invoking a deep conspiracy. You are under no time constraints, you are not surprised by this. So, that you would, given the time and luxury of contemplating what has been discussed, still be surprised that no one is invoking a deep conspiracy, indicates that you need to reexamine your assumptions. Something which you have plenty of time to do before you choose to post again. Something that she did not have time to do as the anthem started playing. > [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > I feel the same way about her as I do any drama queen who wants to be the planet the rest of the world revolves around. So you take it personally when someone you don’t know does something you wouldn’t have ever heard of it it were not fed to you be your choice of media outlets. > [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > You for sure are taking this personally! I’m not the one insulting her for her reaction to being surprised by having something happen that she was assured would not happen. You are the one who is calling her names, impugning her motives and her activism because of what you were told to feel by your choice of media. > [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > Look, believe what you want. I believe that you seem pretty bothered by her actions. Actions that in no way affected you at all. > [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > 15 minutes from now, some other celebrity is going to OMG make news and get digital tongues wagging, and what’s-her-name will be forgotten. And will you insult that person as well for doing something that doesn’t affect you in the slightest? ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2021, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/198 "2021-07-01T20:01:23Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > He’s a political science and journalism professor, not a historian. Plus, he used to be an editor for The Root, not exactly an academic journal. What part of the substance of the quote would you like to dispute? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2021, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/199 "2021-07-01T20:26:01Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > To some, there is no difference. Protesting against racism in America is to be anti-American. > > Those are the ones who got butthurt over her display of discomfort over the unexpected use of the anthem while she was on the podium. If she wants to protest then wait until the event is over. Shower up and then grab her little bullhorn or sign and do all the ‘Hey Hey, Ho Ho’ she wants to for the rest of the day. But act like an adult during the athletic event. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2021, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/200 "2021-07-01T20:32:25Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > What part of the substance of the quote would you like to dispute? From the article: Many historians agree with Johnson, but some disagree. They point out that Key never told anyone what he actually meant, and some historians interpret his mention of hirelings and slaves to reference all of the invading British forces. My opinion is with the other historians and don’t think the SSB is about slavery and that stanza wasn’t being sung anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2021, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/201 "2021-07-01T20:48:13Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > If she wants to protest then wait until the event is over. Shower up and then grab her little bullhorn or sign and do all the ‘Hey Hey, Ho Ho’ she wants to for the rest of the day. That’s one option. Or should could do it the way she did. Free country. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174.md?page=11)