Column Eye on College Sports

Author: David Lindholm

At every one of her games this season, Toni Smith, a senior sociology major and forward on the women's basketball team at Manhattanville University, turned 90 degrees away from the American flag in protest during the singing of the National Anthem. The media picked up the story, and since then people all over the country have been discussing her methods and also her reasons for protesting. But her demonstration has reopened the heated discussion of whether or not the athletic field is an appropriate forum for protest. Also, she is forcing everyone, and especially student-athletes, to reconsider (or consider for the first time) their own ideas about the flag.
We don't know if Smith's protest was started in order to earn attention for herself or her school or if it was instead a silent, personal decision not to stand in conformity and complacency in front of a symbol which she does not believe accurately reflects her beliefs, or a mixture of the two sentiments. Athletes are not void of opinions, and they have the power, through their exposure, to have their voices heard above many. In this regard, athletes represent the beliefs of many who are unable, not willing, or afraid to speak out, and also those who try to affect the public conscience but are ignored. In this sense everyone should take pride in Smith's demonstration, as it fosters conversation about issues in the true democratic spirit.
Another question that Smith has brought into the public consciousness is the issue of Nationalism in sports. What role does the American flag actually play in athletic events? It is a tradition that all of us grew up with, and until now, may have never questioned. Why do we sing the National Anthem before games, when we don't before concerts or other forms of entertainment? It's simply nationalism, and for my entire life I've accepted the fact that before games I should show my patriotism by facing the flag and honoring the country. Toni Smith finally thought about it, took a look at the flag, and decided that it stood for too many things that she did not agree with.
The American flag represents so many different things to people, including a history of democracy and free speech, but also a past that includes horrific injustices that are carried into the present day. Smith has caused us to look at that flag and question what it represents to each one of us, and analyze what this country stands for. In the interest of free and critical thinking, she has given us new perspective, with the hope of improving the country. For that she has proven herself patriotic in the way all Americans should be, and we owe her a debt of gratitude.