Story at a glance
- Olympian Gwen Berry, who sparked controversy after turning away from the American flag during the national anthem Saturday, further explained her decision on Tuesday, saying the song does “not speak for Black Americans.”
- “It’s obvious,” she said. “There’s no question.”
- “No refuge could save the hireling and slave. From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave,” lyrics from the national anthem’s third paragraph read.
Olympian Gwen Berry, who sparked controversy after turning away from the American flag during the national anthem Saturday, further explained her decision on Tuesday, saying the song does “not speak for Black Americans.”
“If you know your history, you know the full song of the national anthem. The third paragraph speaks to slaves in America — our blood being slain … all over the floor,” Berry said on Black News Channel, adding that she believes “it is disrespectful.”
“It’s obvious,” she said. “There’s no question.”
“Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution,” lyrics from the national anthem’s third paragraph read. “No refuge could save the hireling and slave. From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave.”
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Berry’s protest generated criticism from Republican members of Congress, including Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, who argued that if “Ms. Berry is so embarrassed by America, then there’s no reason’ she needs to compete” for the U.S. The 31-year-old track star said on Twitter that people claiming she hates the country are aiming to put words in her mouth.
Berry said she was surprised when the “Star Spangled Banner” played at the moment she took the podium at Saturday’s Olympic trials. She added that she felt like it was staged and that “they did it on purpose.”
“I feel like it was a set-up, and they did it on purpose,” Berry said of the timing, according to The Associated Press (AP). “I was pissed, to be honest.”
“They said they were going to play it before we walked out, then they played it when we were out there,” Berry continued. “But I don’t really want to talk about the anthem because that’s not important. The anthem doesn’t speak for me. It never has.”
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Berry, who raised her fist in protest after taking first at the Pan-Am games, said her “purpose and mission” is “bigger than sports”
“I’m here to represent those … who died due to systemic racism,” Berry said, according to the AP. “That’s the important part. That’s why I’m going. That’s why I’m here today.”
Opening ceremonies for the delayed 2020 Olympics are scheduled to begin July 23.
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