Disappointing scene at Winter Graduation

[wetdog22]

I attended the Winter Quarter Graduation, a well attended event. The Lady Techsters were present. They were easy to spot, sitting together, wearing team blue. When the National Anthem played at the beginning of the ceremony only two or three of the team stood with their hand over their heart. The others just stood. This was very disappointing. I understand that some of the players are not citizens of our country and don't know what the protocol for them or anyone else when the Anthem is played. I guess I should be happy that I didn't see any of them take a knee. And I'm sure this is why the conference wants all the teams off the court when the Anthem is played because there would be so many being disrespectful and there would be questions to answer. Again, a beautiful graduation ceremony. Honoring Coach Hogg as the Medallion Recipient. Very disappointed in the Lady Techsters and their coaching staff for not guiding the team. Just my thought!!!

[qng001]

We've got players from Zimbabwe, Germany, Australia, and Ukraine. If they're just standing respectfully, there's nothing wrong with that. The anthem is about showing allegiance, and since they're from different countries, I don't think they should have to conform just for optics.

If I were in another country, I might not know or want to participate in someone's national custom during their anthem. I would definitely be respectful, take off my hat, and stand.

[Blue Dawg]

We've got players from Zimbabwe, Germany, Australia, and Ukraine. If they're just standing respectfully, there's nothing wrong with that. The anthem is about showing allegiance, and since they're from different countries, I don't think they should have to conform just for optics.

If I were in another country, I might not know or want to participate in someone's national custom during their anthem. I would definitely be respectful, take off my hat, and stand.

I think that's a reasonable expectation of a good guest, yea.

[dawg80]

If there were Canucks in attendance they might have booed our national anthem.

Yeah, I think standing out of respect for another country's anthem is what is expected.

[wetdog22]

I agree with the comments that followed my initial post. As I mentioned, I don't know what the protocol for "non citizens" is. ALL the ladies stood respectfully. But NO ONE commented on the fact that we have several citizens of the United States that did NOT pay respect to the flag of our nation and respect for all those who have sacrificed for us to play the game of basketball in America.

[DallasDog]

Don't worry, those pesky kids will be off your lawn in just a second. They stood and weren't disrespectful according to your statement. You do realize that flag protocol and anthem protocol isn't even taught in most schools anymore, nor is it taught in most homes. It is also not the job of anyone associated with the program to teach them anything other than to not deliberately disrespect someone or some place.

Did you email the staff and ask if anyone has ever talked to or offered to show the ladies foreign or domestic proper flag/anthem protocol? If you did, did you receive a response? If not, you have no idea why they didn't put their hand to their heart, but you felt it was a big enough issue to bitch online about it. You also felt it was worth admonishing them without attempting to speak to them directly about their reasonings.

This isn't a sports issue, this is a political/philosophical/emotional issue for you with this team, and we literally have a forum for this type of issue to be discussed in.

I say they did pay respect by standing and remaining quiet during the presentation, but you are right I am sure some 18-20 year old young women were making sure that American veterans felt slighted and disrespected.

Oh and do you feel I may be putting words into your mouth or changing the context of your comments without really understanding your point of view or your personal story as to why you made your statement... well hot damn maybe you get it now.

[wetdog22]

DallasDog, It will take more than you to put words in my mouth and I certainly see you didn't understand my point of view. And you will never know my personal story. The fact that, as you stated, the protocols aren't taught in school or at home is true and to my belief is unfortunate. And you are right by saying I have no idea why they didn't place their hands over their hearts. I do though, somewhere in my feeble brain and memory feel that these domestic ladies weren't subjected to the Star Spangled Banner for the first time at graduation and I'm sure most, if not all, know/knew the appropriate protocol and chose not to. I know there were at least two ladies, possibly three, who stood facing the flag with their hands over their hearts. The others, no idea, other than to me, and I don't feel I'm alone, feel that they were disrespectful, even if they did stand silently.

[DallasDog]

I was raised understanding flag protocol, I do believe that people disrespect the flag and country. As someone who has had family and friends die in service of their country, maybe like yourself, I find intentional disrespect upsetting. However, I don't default to disrespect, and I want the reason why, hell I might agree with their reasons. I never know unless I seek.

I understood your point of view but the fact that you think because 3-4 girls were taught by their parents or school to put that hand on their hearts means, that as you say, in your feeble brain anyone else who doesn't is being disrespectful is the whole point of my reply. Again, never said it was the first time they all heard the anthem either, but people may have a reason. I am right that you have no idea why, yet you default to disrespect anyway. You complain without truly knowing or seeking a reason from the same people and program you complain about. I didn't put a word in your mouth, that being said this isn't worth continuing at this point.

I am too old to continue to put up with narrow, feeble minds, especially on the internet. So, with that you don't have to worry about me ever seeing one of your posts again. If you feel the need though, please fire away and enjoy.

[philgarris]

DallasDog, It will take more than you to put words in my mouth and I certainly see you didn't understand my point of view. And you will never know my personal story. The fact that, as you stated, the protocols aren't taught in school or at home is true and to my belief is unfortunate. And you are right by saying I have no idea why they didn't place their hands over their hearts. I do though, somewhere in my feeble brain and memory feel that these domestic ladies weren't subjected to the Star Spangled Banner for the first time at graduation and I'm sure most, if not all, know/knew the appropriate protocol and chose not to. I know there were at least two ladies, possibly three, who stood facing the flag with their hands over their hearts. The others, no idea, other than to me, and I don't feel I'm alone, feel that they were disrespectful, even if they did stand silently.

Not disrespectful at all to me. Disrespectful was the classless ULL fans that screamed during the National Anthem for the Cal players that took a knee to stand up during a softball game. They screamed the entirety of the National Anthem, That was classless.
Btw ULL lost that game.

[dawg80]

Not disrespectful at all to me. Disrespectful was the classless ULL fans that screamed during the National Anthem for the Cal players that took a knee to stand up during a softball game. They screamed the entirety of the National Anthem, That was classless.
Btw ULL lost that game.

So, you're saying ULL lost that game because they have some fans who are patriotic. Got it...

[philgarris]

So, you're saying ULL lost that game because they have some fans who are patriotic. Got it...

No. I just enjoy them losing
Those fans were not very patriotic screaming in the middle of the National Anthem.
They could have voiced their displeasure after it was over.