So brave [/sarcasm]:
An American who medaled in fencing at the Pan American Games took a knee during the national anthem to protest racial and social injustice.
Race Imboden, who earned a bronze medal in the individual men’s foil event and a gold in the team competition, kneeled as the national anthem was played during a medal ceremony during the competition on Friday in Lima, Peru.
Imboden is pictured on the podium kneeling as his teammates Gerek Meinhardt and Nick Itkin stand.
“This week I am honored to represent Team USA at the Pan Am Games, taking home Gold and Bronze,” Imboden said on Twitter following his protest. “My pride however has been cut short by the multiple shortcomings of the country I hold so dear to my heart.”
Imboden, 26, added that “racism, Gun Control, mistreatment of immigrants and a president who spreads hate” were atop the list of shortcomings he sees in the United States.
“I chose to sacrifice my moment today at the top of the podium to call attention to issues that I believe need to be addressed,” he said. “I encourage others to please use your platforms for empowerment and change.”
He didn’t sacrifice a thing. What a selfish act of narcissism and personal politics throat-shoving.
So a U.S. fencer has pulled a Kaepernick. And the reaction amongst conservatives may be predictable (exemplified by my post); but so too are the reaction of support amongst Kaepernick-loving liberals:
what a brave young man. He knew when he did this that people would never understand and yet he felt the need to kneel and hope that we all understand why.
~~~ When are ignorant people going to finally understand that people kneel in prayer? A prayer position during our national anthem is much more respectful than anything else you can do. If more of us kneeled for unity our nation would be so much better off. This athlete is so correct. Colin was so correct. The same people condemning these athletes are the same people who down beers and inhale hot dogs during our national anthem while they condemn others for exercising their freedoms.
~~~ For the first time in my life I’m following sports news. So impressed with these athletes and patriots. It’s easy to wave our flag around mindlessly; it takes much more courage to protest what you believe is wrong.
~~~ How sad so many miss the point. He didn’t turn his back he kneeled! He humbled himself to respect the flag and show sadness. Pay attention.
What bravery? Maybe half the country will criticize him (Is that alright? Or does free speech work in one direction, only?). But look at the other half including many in media: Praise for being bold, for standing- er, kneeling- for what he believes in, by openly opposing the current PotUS, racism, gun violence, etc. In other words, his “sacrifice” and “bravery” has elevated him to hero-status and positive notoriety for those on the left side of the political/culture aisle.
At any given time, apparently you can use/abuse your platform as an appropriate time and place to push your own personal political dissatisfaction for any number of causes and concerns that distresses you. After all, for Kaepernick, it wasn’t just about perceived “police brutality” and racism. And for Imboden, he seems to have made it about “gun control”, “mistreatment of (illegal) immigrants”, and opposition to the sitting president.
Well then what political grievance and venue will ever be off-limits as inappropriate? Don’t like how no one is doing anything of significance over climate change? Take a knee (as if that bit of inaction is taking action to stop global warming). Don’t like any given political policy or issue? Take a knee. The country is in distress! Why limit it to flags and sporting venues? Take a knee at a wedding or graduation ceremony to draw public attention to yourself and your pet cause. After all it’s free speech. 1st Amendment rights! Who cares about decorum and decency anymore? If you have a platform, use it!
Another Facebook comment I read in support of Imboden the Imbecile:
there are many of us kneeling with you.
So does that mean you’re going to “take a knee” at your daughter’s soccer game and set an example for your athlete and all the other soccer moms? You know….stand- I mean kneel- with Imboden? Actually put yourself physically at risk for ridicule? Or is this another one of those social media activists who virtue signal and put their money only where their keyboard is?
A former fetus, the “wordsmith from nantucket” was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1968. Adopted at birth, wordsmith grew up a military brat. He achieved his B.A. in English from the University of California, Los Angeles (graduating in the top 97% of his class), where he also competed rings for the UCLA mens gymnastics team. The events of 9/11 woke him from his political slumber and malaise. Currently a personal trainer and gymnastics coach.
The wordsmith has never been to Nantucket.