I’m not sorry to say this, but I don’t buy the Gabby Douglas apologists explanations on why she did not have her hand on her heart when the national anthem was played. Talent withstanding, she is a millennial fool, falling for a narrative that divides more than unites. Does our country have some warts on its history? Of course! But when times get tough we pull together not push apart. Remember the old axiom, divide and conquer, and that is what this is doing. Years to come she will be remembered for this incident and many youngsters will look away from her, instead of to her, for inspiration. You have made your statement for your cause, but at what expense to your legacy? To bad, you could have made it special.
Following the social media criticism, Douglas took to Twitter to say she “never meant any disrespect.”
“In response to a few tweets I saw tonight, I always stand at attention out of respect for our country whenever the national anthem is played. I never meant any disrespect and apologize if I offended anyone. I’m so overwhelmed at what our team accomplished today and overjoyed that we were able to bring home another gold for our country!” Douglas tweeted.
Well there you have it. I don’t think something like this should make or break a person’s opinion of another. It’s the Olympics, which is a pretty big deal. She could have easily just been in total awe, and missed the queue to put hand to heart. It can happen.
Missed the queue ! Grasping at straws are we? The anthem plays for over 2 minutes, at one time or another did it not dawn on you to just lift your hand to your heart, and pay some respect to a nation that has given you the opportunity to stand in a position that countless others can only dream of? I for one am disappointed, she had the chance to bring it all together, but chose self interest; does this bring back thoughts of 1968? What do you think?