The Problem With Mandatory Patriotism in Sports

[douglas9]

Playing the “The Star-Spangled Banner” at sporting events has become an empty gesture of patriotism—so empty that, when the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks quietly began skipping the ritual, 13 preseason and regular-season games passed before anyone noticed.

On Tuesday, The Athletic reported that the Mavericks had abandoned the national anthem, making them the first team in the recent history of major professional sports to take such a stance. The next day, the National Basketball Association issued a statement declaring that every team must play the song, in accordance with league rules. Inevitably, the Mavericks reversed course.

But the Mavericks should have held their ground, because playing the anthem shouldn’t be a pregame ritual in American sports. Not during a time when many people—including many athletes of color—are deeply uncomfortable with how patriotic symbols have been weaponized to undermine and diminish the humanity of Black and brown Americans.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/02/why-pro-sports-should-skip-national-anthem/618027/?scrolla=5eb6d68b7fedc32c19ef33b4

[rsdsharp]

1. I don't really mind the anthem, although it pisses me off

seeing people keeping their hats 🧢 on during it. I can’t stand God Bless America, however. For some reason, that was required at sporting events for years after 9/11.

[keithbvadu2]

2. Trump disrespects National Anthem Mar a Lago

Trump disrespects National Anthem Mar a Lago

[Karadeniz]

5. He can't abide people's attention being elsewhere than on him. Psycho.

[Dave in VA]

3. I can remember

when the teams would not come onto the field until after the anthem was performed. Then they had to "out patriot" each other and display their national pride feathers. Wish they would go back to that and end the politics of the anthem.

[VA_Jill]

4. Mandatory patriotism sucks

I have wanted to kneel or at least stay seated when the anthem is played at the women's basketball games at the local university (back when we were actually allowed to attend). Spousal unit won't let me because he's afraid I will get some nasty repercussions. So I protest by standing silently with my arms at my sides, head bowed. Last year at one game, at the close of the anthem I heard someone getting laboriously to their feet behind me, using the back of my seat for support. I didn't want to turn and stare, but I did take the opportunity to look out the corner of my eye as I straightened my jacket on the seat prior to sitting down. It was a white woman who was somewhere near my age. Dang.

[Auggie]

6. Not just sports. I went to a vintage car show where the anthem was played.

A fucking car show.