Olympic Bold

    They are very careful and polite about it, but several USA Olympic athletes have expressed how difficult it feels right now to represent their country at the Games.  Skier Hunter Hess was the first, but others have joined him.  these fine young people are not shouting out against their country.  They are expressing concern that has become discomfort.  The most common comment has been, and I am paraphrasing. "Of course I don't like some of the things that are going on back home."

    They are getting criticized for not loving America.  I would point out that if they didn't love their country they would not bother to comment at all.  I feel it incumbent upon me to once again quote James Baldwin."I love America more than any other country in the world, and, for exactly that reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually."

    And this, from Albert Einstein: "If I were to remain silent, I'd be guilty of complicity."

    I know this blog is unlikely to reach the people who need to read it, who need reminding that true patriotism is speaking truth to power.  It doesn't have to be vicious or cruel.  The response from power almost always is both.

    After President Trump called him a loser, Hess himself posted, "I love my country.  There is so much that is great about America, but there are always things that could be better.  One of the many things that makes this country so amazing is that we have the right and the freedom to point that out.  The best part of the Olympics is that it brings people together, and when so many of us are divided we need that more than ever.  I cannot wait to represent Team USA next week when I compete."

    Hunter, you're already a winner and I salute you.