03-03-2003, 09:02 PM
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#1 |
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Chief of Naval Operations
  
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,037
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Player Protest
Two hours before her team completed a 69-59 upset of No. 8 North Carolina, Virginia freshman Deidra Chatman became the second college basketball player to protest U.S. foreign policy by turning away from the American flag during the pregame national anthem.
Manhattanville College senior Toni Smith has sparked controversy this season by refusing to acknowledge the flag, and before today's game at University Hall, Chatman followed Smith's lead. Standing in a line with her teammates and coaches in front of their bench as a handful of local girl scouts brought the flag to midcourt, Chatman turned toward the baseline, 90 degrees to her left. After the win, which cemented Virginia's third-place ACC finish, Chatman explained that she was motivated by her opposition to a potential war with Iraq and by her upbringing as a Jehovah's Witness. She said her mother, Fayette Elliott, does not acknowledge the flag and raised her children to believe they could choose not to as well. Virginia Coach Debbie Ryan, who did not learn of Chatman's protest until a few hours after the game ended, declined to comment. Teammate Tiffany Sardin, one of Chatman's roommates, said Chatman had not told her about it either. |
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03-03-2003, 09:44 PM
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#2 | |
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Rear Admiral Lower Half
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Colorado
Posts: 2,743
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Re: Player Protest
Quote:
I don't understand it! I guess maybe I'm not sure what "does not acknowledge the flag" means. Does it mean they don't believe in this country, or they don't believe in the flag as a symbol of this country. Whenever I hear about people like this, I always wish that they could spend just one week living somewhere like Iraq. Perhaps then they'd learn how lucky they are to live in this country. |
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03-03-2003, 09:45 PM
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#3 |
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Vice Chairwoman, Joint Chieftess of Staff
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Jeterville, NYY
Posts: 17,786
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America
love it or leave it
__________________
*click me* |
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03-03-2003, 10:34 PM
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#4 |
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Chief of Naval Operations
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,037
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Protesting the protestor
Deidra Chatman:
 me: {turns away} |
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03-04-2003, 01:32 AM
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#5 |
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Old Skooler Numba 1
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Diego
Posts: 10,063
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I don't agree with it, but it's her right to do so.
America, love it or don't, it's your choice. |
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03-04-2003, 09:48 AM
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#6 | |
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easily amused
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: my office
Posts: 9,781
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Quote:
 basically, i think these players are trying to say that they are not supportive of the rah-rah patriotism that is being pushed in the name of America and the flag. that's their right. i don't think it's the best way to show such feelings, but it's what they're doing. and i don't really think it's a big deal -- it's the media blowing things out of proportion. |
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03-04-2003, 01:17 PM
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#7 | |
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Fleet Admiral
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,390
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Yeah, I also think it's great that she is able to do something like that without fear of repercussion. As a Jehovah's Witness, it's against her religion to worship or revere any symbols, and as a US citizen, it's her right not to support the actions of the government.
Beatrice Hall said it best: Quote:
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