Some faculty college students are refusing to root for Workforce USA on the Tokyo Olympics due to their unfavorable emotions about America.
As a substitute they’re opting to assist particular person athletes who’re competing within the video games.
Conservative information outlet Campus Reform interviewed college students on the College of South Florida (USF) forward of the opening ceremony for the video games and found that many college students wouldn’t be supporting their nation’s group.
This comes as hammer thrower Gwen Berry made international headlines for turning away from the American flag whereas the Star-Spangled Banner performed on the Olympic monitor and area trials in Oregon final month.
Conservative information outlet Campus Reform interviewed college students on the College of South Florida (interview pictured above) forward of the opening ceremony for the video games and found that many college students wouldn’t be rooting for Workforce USA
This interview comes as hammer thrower Gwen Berry (left) made international headlines for turning away from the American flag whereas the Star-Spangled Banner performed on the Olympic monitor and area trials, as pictured above
Citing Berry’s demonstration, amongst others, reporter Ophelie Jacobson requested USF college students in the event that they believed athletes had the suitable to protest and showcase their political views. Many answered sure.
‘Oh, one hundred pc,’ one male scholar stated. ‘Given what’s been occurring with this nation and the way divided our politics have been, there’s probably not a motive to face for one throughout the nation like that anyway, so I agree with it.
‘Personally, I do,’ one other man stated. ‘Individuals would argue it is a signal of disrespect to do this, however standing away in the course of the nationwide anthem or turning your again or doing no matter to the flag — that is a type of protest and that is their proper.’
One scholar even argued that athletes ought to be allowed to protest on the Olympic video games as a result of international locations use the video games to their benefit politicly.
‘It doesn’t matter what [athletes] do, the Olympics anyway goes for use for politics as a result of even when the US wins or another nation, that nation goes to make use of their win to point out that our nation’s the most effective,’ he stated, noting that he doesn’t suppose America is the ‘biggest nation’.
Jacobson additionally requested college students in the event that they have been embarrassed by Workforce USA athletes ‘who aren’t even proud to be an American, it looks like’.
‘I do not suppose so as a result of I do not like being an American both, although I used to be born right here,’ one girl responded. ‘I believe there may be such corruption and a crumbling infrastructure.’
‘Why is there no free well being care? Why are so many individuals struggling due to housing?… And that’s such an awesome instance of how f****** corrupt it’s right here,’ she continued.
The scholars interviewed say they assist athlete protest which has taken heart stage on the Tokyo Olympics. Civilians have additionally protested the video games (Pictured: Individuals holding placards throughout an anti-Olympics protest in entrance of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Cauldron at Yume no Ohashi)
A number of Olympians have made public protest in Tokyo to point out their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter motion together with members of Nice Britain’s males’s rugby group (left) and Costa Rican gymnast Luciana Alvarado (proper)
Some college students even argued that whereas Workforce USA athletes have a ‘obligation to characterize their nation athletically’ they don’t have ‘any obligation to characterize it good or dangerous’.
They stated athletes ought to compete and attempt to convey dwelling gold medals, however they do not have to do this for his or her nation – they may very well be competing for themselves and their teammates.
Many college students additionally acknowledged they are going to be rooting for athletes, as an alternative of 1 explicit nation on this yr’s video games.
‘I’m going to be rooting for athletes individually. I’m not rooting for any group simply because it is some nation I dwell in,’ one scholar defined. ‘Patriotism should not be that sturdy.’
‘I do not root for international locations, I root for athletes,’ one other acknowledged.
These college students’ voices, whereas not a whole illustration of the USF neighborhood or America as an entire, echo the continuing demonstrations going down on the video games.
Athlete protest, which was as soon as forbidden on the Olympics, has taken centerstage in Tokyo.
Gamers from throughout the globe have kneeled to point out their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter motion, Bloomberg reported.
Along with Berry turning her again to the flag, ladies’s soccer gamers from Nice Britain, Chile and Japan have been seen taking a knee, as was Costa Rican gymnast Luciana Alvarado and members of Nice Britain’s males’s rugby group.
Alvarado additionally put her fist within the air after ending her flooring routine on Sunday.
Source link