What is Coach Stringer's policy on behavior during the national anthem? Is bowing the head a form of protest? I received a post on Facebook of #15 sitting during the anthem at today's men's game. We are getting disgusted. If you think I don't understand, then you don't understand that after my husband's service in Vietnam, he had to notify families of their son's death, did 300+ funerals, folded that flag 300+ times and handed it to 300+ families. Try understanding that.
National Anthem
- Thread starter DC1973
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Players do a lot of things during the national anthem. Although I have no idea if it's a protest or not, I've seen players bow their heads many times over the years, including well before there was any national anthem protesting happening.
(Personally, what drives me crazy is when players fidget their way through the anthem, although I suspect in most cases it's just adrenalin.)
(Personally, what drives me crazy is when players fidget their way through the anthem, although I suspect in most cases it's just adrenalin.)
Two things:
1. No, bowing the head is not a form of protest.
2. Thank you for Husband's service to protect american citizen's right to be patriots and peacefully protest against injustice.
Thank your husband for his service. We all owe the military a huge debt of gratitude every single day.
A few comments to calm you down:
1. Why not ignore what the players are doing and focus on honoring the flag in your own way esp. since you're not sure they're protesting? Perhaps the players are praying.
2. What a player does on his/her own time (ie. #15 at the men's game) should be of no concern to anyone else unless they're breaking the law or something outrageous like that.
3. It has been stated repeatedly that the protests are directed at social conditions in certain communities and have ZERO to do with disrespecting the military or the flag.
A few comments to calm you down:
1. Why not ignore what the players are doing and focus on honoring the flag in your own way esp. since you're not sure they're protesting? Perhaps the players are praying.
2. What a player does on his/her own time (ie. #15 at the men's game) should be of no concern to anyone else unless they're breaking the law or something outrageous like that.
3. It has been stated repeatedly that the protests are directed at social conditions in certain communities and have ZERO to do with disrespecting the military or the flag.
I'm not trying to pick a fight here but every protest during the national anthem is perfectly legal and every American has the right to do so thanks to great Americans like your husband. The issue with the national anthem protests is that people are looking past why those individuals choose to protest and instead are assuming they are trying to insult and disrespect the flag and Veterans. It has nothing to do with each other. Regardless, it's perfectly legal to do so. If I'm less of an American for choosing to peacefully protest and someone else thinks I'm less of a patriot because I do so, those are the people that are wrong. It doesn't matter whether you agree with it or not, but choosing to be angry and find it disgusting is more of an insult to the flag and what America represents. If you choose to not accept that it's their right to do so, then you are the person who is insulting our nation.
(Not you directly D.C.) I'm just saying in general
(Not you directly D.C.) I'm just saying in general
Over the years - numerous hockey players and baseball players - with their hat over their heart, have bowed their heads during the national anthem. Seems very respectful to me.
If they had their hand over their heart with their heads down, I'd feel better. I'm looking for what the policy is. If they're praying, great. If you took a poll of veterans, I think you'd find most of them don't like kneeling, etc. we know more Veterans than you can imagine and are very involved in veterans' causes. I just don't remember the heads down in previous years. Hey, and I played at Douglass in 1969-1971 before RU went big time- we even had six players back in 1969- crazy stuff! I never said what they are doing is not legal. Maybe Coach Stringer can answer what her policy is. Does anyone have a good email for her? I tried to email twice and it came back.
Thanks to your husband for his service to our country. My father served in WWII, I have friends who served in Viet Nam, and my son in law was in the Army for 6 years, most of them in Iraq. I appreciate your concern but I can say because I sit near the men's team during the anthem that most of them are praying. However, I also respect their right to protest in a peaceful manner what they perceive to be injustices in our country - no one ever said it was a protest against the military except Trump. African Americans have served our country nobly as well but there is still systematic racism in this country, as evidenced by a number of shootings by law enforcement officers of innocent young men in recent years. We are OK with watching African American students play basketball and "entertain" us, yet we are offended when they protest racism in America? Makes no sense to me and I hope when you truly reflect on it that it makes no sense to you either.
I’m a little confused. You mentioned the men’s game. Did you observe any members of our women’s team doing anything that you would consider inappropriate before tonight’s game ? If not, why even raise the issue?
I wouldn't look into it, they all stand during the anthem for their games. Last game, Princeton had 3 girls take a knee during the anthem.
When I played football and basketball I always would fidget during the national anthem. We would warm up before the game and then go into the locker room. The coach would give a fired up speech and we would run out onto the field/court ready to play. We would need to stop and try to stand still for the National Anthem. I always found it hard to do and this was in HS. I would assume college and pros would be harder with larger crowds, more energy, etc etc.
you're right, it is legal. you're also leaving out the part where people are doing it in a very public forum (ok) against a very traditional and highly sensitive moment to draw the most disruption as possible. and folks defending this action wonder why it upsets most people and they don't get past it to the message?
I am 100% understanding and supportive of the message. This particular way of protesting is far from helpful to that cause. Clearly clouding it out. And that's a shame.
PS, glad it was done in stands at Men's game then on floor at women's game. That's a "Whatever" event IMHO.
ok,back to great womens ball at RU.
The medium is the message. That’s what the kneelers don’t understand. It certainly is their right, but I think it hurts rather than helps their cause.
At least the three Princeton ladies had their hands over their hearts when they did it
At least the three Princeton ladies had their hands over their hearts when they did it
Please explain how they should be protesting. They've marched, and when bad actors riot, the marchers are blamed.
They've talked, and cameras are turned off.
They quietly and respectfully kneel, and they're accused of disrespecting veterans, when a veteran was the one who suggested kneeling.
Yep, I understand. I think the point was made, attention was made, but it needed to go to the next step and get past the act and more to the subject. Turning more people off than gaining support. The other option is just to ignore it. That's not a good solution either.
That's my last comment as I am not going to turn this thread into a political debate. Their is a CE forum for that. I expressed my opinion on this very difficult subject.
So they have the right to this form of protest but I don't have the right to find it offensive?
I've got two words for you.
Understand where your coming from, I am class of NB79. Career Army via ROTC. Was branch MI and understand the potentional damage. Currently working tech and have seen industrial espionage. Can not tell you the potential for foreign operatives to take advantage of this situation. Wish they could find a different way to get their point across. My son is in now 1st Lt., also Army and also Rutgers.
Okay, that comment was unnecessary, but it convinced me that this thread is done (especially since OP has still not explained to us why this thread is relevant to the women's basketball team.)
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