# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/81 "2021-06-29T17:35:16Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > How vain do you have to be to think the playing of the national anthem is a passive aggressive attack on you, and you weren’t even the winner? Perhaps because, when you were on the medal stand, it was the ONLY time that the anthem was played that day? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/82 "2021-06-29T17:41:36Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Not acting like a brat isn’t exactly demanding obedience. So you are definitely against throwing a public snit about something that upsets you? ---
**Author:** ![Ranch\_Dip](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranch_dip/32/5238_2.png) [@Ranch\_Dip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranch_Dip)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/83 "2021-06-29T17:58:54Z")
> [@chela](#): > > What’s her point?Whats up? Because it’s certainly not reading as concern for the disenfranchised rather she sounds like a brat. You don’t get to decided if she is disenfranchised. You don’t get to decide what the proper protest is for her if she is disenfranchised. You don’t get to decide if it is ok or not for her to be upset about the situation. In 2016, when Colin Kaepernick was using his platform as a professional football player to protest police brutality and systemic racism, he was criticized for staying seated. It was suggested by Retired Army Green Beret Nate Boyer that he kneel instead of staying seated. Kaep caught shit no matter what stance he took, and it ended up costing him dearly. All because the racists in our country don’t like to be made uncomfortable. And, it seems nothing has changed. ---
**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:** [June 29, 2021, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/84 "2021-06-29T18:04:22Z")
> [@Ranch\_Dip](#): > > In 2016, when Colin Kaepernick was using his platform as a professional football player to protest police brutality and systemic racism, he was criticized for staying seated. It was suggested by Retired Army Green Beret Nate Boyer that he kneel instead of staying seated. Kaep caught shit no matter what stance he took, and it ended up costing him dearly. All because the racists in our country don’t like to be made uncomfortable. At a certain point, it starts being obvious that it’s not _how_ they protest that is the problem. ---
**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 29, 2021, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/85 "2021-06-29T18:39:41Z")
No thanks to @What_Exit for moving the thread. I have this forum on ignore I thought you 86d it when it disappeared > [@Ranch\_Dip](#): > > You don’t get to decide if it is ok or not for her to be upset about the situation. It’s not complicated nor tied up in prejudicial projections. The situation is as she said, she felt set up and intentionally disrespected by the organizers. TPTB pissed her off because why? Well they knew damn well she does not care for the national anthem. Though I’m assuming she likes being up on the podium. So what’s this athlete gonna do? She turned her back and put a shirt over her head until it was over. Something a brat/child or how about an immature adult might do? ---
**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:** [June 29, 2021, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/86 "2021-06-29T18:45:13Z")
If it were to turn out that the anthem was intentionally delayed to be played while she was on the podium, what words would you use to describe the people who would be responsible for that? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/87 "2021-06-29T18:47:27Z")
> [@Ranch\_Dip](#): > > In 2016, when Colin Kaepernick was using his platform as a professional football player to protest police brutality and systemic racism, You mean when he got caught pouting on the sideline. But, he’s made his bank riding the activist train so good for him. And no one is boycotting Nike now. ---
**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 29, 2021, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/88 "2021-06-29T19:04:32Z")
Immature little men who get off trolling women? If you can Rise above it Gwen, she’s got grit and determination to stay in the game don’t debase yourself by engaging in petty spats with the organizers over the timing of the anthem. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/89 "2021-06-29T19:16:49Z")
Rosa Parks was protesting racism that was actually written into law, i.e., applied and enforced by the government that the flag/athem/etc. represents. Berry (and similar-minded activists) are protesting racist behavior that is actually criminalized, i.e., opposed by and prosecuted by the government that the flag/anthem/etc represents. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but there’s a world of difference, as far as the symbolic representation of America goes, between what Parks was standing (OK, sitting) against and what Berry is. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/90 "2021-06-29T19:18:32Z")
I mean they aren’t that different. Both are standing up for what they believe in and in both cases they are facing public scorn for their actions. Parks faced additionally minor legal consequences (the laws in question were minor charges), but Berry is facing possible reputational and professional harm (there have been calls to ban him from the Olympic team, for example.) ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/91 "2021-06-29T19:18:51Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > Berry (and similar-minded activists) are protesting racist behavior that is actually criminalized, i.e., opposed by and prosecuted by the government that the flag/anthem/etc represents. This is adorable. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/92 "2021-06-29T19:19:06Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Perhaps because, when you were on the medal stand, it was the ONLY time that the anthem was played that day? It was played at the same time every day. It just happened to coincide with her medal ceremony. Why is it reasonable for her to conclude that they only did it because of her? ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/93 "2021-06-29T19:20:09Z")
I mean if you want to intentionally demean him you can say “pout”, what most people saw is someone protesting injustice, and who has been celebrated for it by many and built a significant name for himself while doing so. I.e. he’s achieved quite a lot, and comported himself honorably. All I’ve seen you and chela do is cry and pretend people are “babies” because you are offended by their political opinions. It’s interesting because I think it says a lot about the maturity level of critics whose only way of talking about people they disagree with is to insult them by suggesting they are child like. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/94 "2021-06-29T19:20:56Z")
Because it was scheduled to be played at 5:20pm every single day, and it specifically was not played at 5:20pm when she was receiving her medal. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/95 "2021-06-29T19:21:00Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > It was played at the same time every day. Why is this being repeated when everybody involved in the event states that it is untrue? It was _scheduled_ to play at the same time every day, and was _late_ on this day, coinciding with her medal ceremony, rather than being played prior to the ceremony. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/96 "2021-06-29T19:25:44Z")
And I don’t agree with those, but I would not call her millieu of systemic injustice to be anything remotely resembling Parks’s. I support her right to speak her mind on the podium (unless she contractually signed those away when she entered the Olympic trials, in which case, she should stick to her agreements), but calling her protest “bratty” does not follow that one would consider Parks “bratty”. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/97 "2021-06-29T19:26:47Z")
I’m not really sure you’re a good arbiter of what a mature vs immature adult would do, certainly you’ve provided no real evidence that “turning your back and putting on a political t-shirt” ought be categorized mature or immature. What seems to annoy you is someone who has achieved more than you have achieved is using a podium to express herself in a way you dislike. That doesn’t make her a brat, and says more about you than her. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/98 "2021-06-29T19:27:27Z")
I’ll disagree, I think the type of person who goes out of their way to call this “bratty” is probably the type or person who can find all kinds of nits to pick about Rosa Parks, too. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/99 "2021-06-29T19:28:33Z")
It’s also true. I’m not saying that there’s not some degree of systemic racism built into certain institutions, but it is not protected by law. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/100 "2021-06-29T19:31:48Z")
> [@chela](#): > > The situation is as she said, she felt set up and intentionally disrespected by the organizers. TPTB pissed her off because why? Well they knew damn well she does not care for the national anthem. Is there any truth that TPTB did this on purpose or is it just her opinion that they did? I have trouble believing that the people in the booth took this opportunity to deliberately antagonize her. She’s the 3rd place finisher in one of the lessor-followed track events. It doesn’t seem all that likely that the people playing the anthem knew all that much about her considering the number of people competing in track events. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174.md?page=6)