Did Brittney Griner really kneel during the national anthem?
Brittney Griner walked off the floor during 2020 WNBA season and said that national anthem did not represent her. She recently signed a one year deal with Phoenix Mercury after returning from Russian prison.
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Brittney Griner
During the widespread George Floyd protest in America, back in July 2020, WNBA star Brittney Griner started her own protest. Refusing to knee, Griner also wasn’t willing to stay on the court while the national anthem was being played. Her actions garnered extensive public attention. Justifying her actions, Griner reasoned that the national anthem did not represent black Americans and that she did not see the value in being out on the court while the national anthem is being played.
Her protest came in the midst of an avalanche of anger in response to Floyd’s murder as a result of police brutality. But, the media spotlight shone even brighter following her controversial take on national anthem. “I honestly feel we should not play the National Anthem during our season,” she said to the Arizona Republic. “I think we should take that much of a stand.” Substantiating her stance, Griner claimed that she loved her nation. It is worth noting that her father was a war veteran and a law enforcement officer for 30 years.
She clarified that the national anthem at the Olympics is completely understandable because all of the players are competing for their country. Griner then added that if the national song was played by the league, she would walk off the court. “I’m going to protest regardless,” she said. “I’m not going to be out there for the National Anthem. If the league continues to want to play it, that’s fine. It will be all season long, I’ll not be out there. I feel like more are going to probably do the same thing. I can only speak for myself,” she added.
Fair to say, Brittney Griner kneeling would have seen her draw a lot of backlash.
Why was Brittney Griner detained in Russia?
The 17th of February, 2022 turned nightmarish for Brittney Griner, after she was detained by Russian authorities for allegedly carrying vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage, at an airport close to Moscow. Griner had actually landed in Russia to play for UMMC Yekaterinburg, during the WNBA off-season.
Accused of attempting to smuggle narcotics into the country, a Russian court convicted and sentenced Griner to 9 years in prison, a decision which received widespread criticism, especially because it coincided with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Griner, then appealed, only for it to be denied in October. To make things worse, she was moved to remote Mordovian penal colony in November.
After months of trying to strike a deal with the Russian government, the US administration finally succeeded on the 8th of December after Brittney Griner was released from custody in a prisoner swap. Viktor Bout, one half of the prisoner exchange, was a notorious Russian arms dealer. Griner was back in America the very next day.
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Brittney Griner makes second Public appearance after release from Russian prison at WM Phoenix Open
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Nandjee Ranjan
(488 Articles Published)