American fencer Race Imboden, who wears a star-spangled mask while competing in an elitist, upper-class sport, took a knee during the national anthem at last week’s Pan American games.
Which granted him a national audience on CNN, of course.
Imboden won a gold medal at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, on Friday and he took a knee during the award ceremony as the Star Spangled Banner played.
Exposing his liberal bias, the athlete took to Twitter afterwards to call for change and denounce America’s “shortcomings.” He even included a shot at President Donald Trump in his tweet.
“We must call for change. This week I am honored to represent Team USA at the Pan Am Games, taking home Gold and Bronze. My pride however has been cut short by the multiple shortcomings of the country I hold so dear to my heart. Racism, Gun Control, mistreatment of immigrants,” Imboden tweeted.
We must call for change.
This week I am honored to represent Team USA at the Pan Am Games, taking home Gold and Bronze. My pride however has been cut short by the multiple shortcomings of the country I hold so dear to my heart. Racism, Gun Control, mistreatment of immigrants, pic.twitter.com/deCOKaHQI9— Race Imboden (@Race_Imboden) August 10, 2019
In a follow-up tweet, he ensured that his dislike of Trump was not missed, though he stopped short of using the president’s name. He simply referred to Trump as a “president who spreads hate.”
“I chose to sacrifice my moment today at the top of the podium to call attention to issues that I believe need to be addressed. I encourage others to please use your platforms for empowerment and change,” a second tweet read.
and a president who spreads hate are at the top of a long list.
I chose to sacrifie my moment today at the top of the podium to call attention to issues that I believe need to be addressed. I encourage others to please use your platforms for empowerment and change.— Race Imboden (@Race_Imboden) August 10, 2019
That Imboden conflates illegal immigration with immigration may be the first clue that he watches too much CNN. A second clue is that he bemoans practices that were in place throughout the Obama administration.
Another sign is that he failed to live up to the terms that govern his participation, terms he agreed to adhere to.
That’s according to a statement from Mark Jones, Vice President of Communications for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
“Every athlete competing at the 2019 Pan American Games commits to terms of eligibility, including to refrain from demonstrations that are political in nature. In this case, Race didn’t adhere to the commitment he made to the organizing committee and the USOPC,” Jones said in a statement.
The stunt may result in disciplinary action from the USOPC, according to Fox News.
“We respect his rights to express his viewpoints, but we are disappointed that he chose not to honor his commitment,” the statement continued. “Our leadership are reviewing what consequences may result.”
Imboden told CNN that last weekend’s shootings were a “catalyst” for his actions, and repeated the motivations he named in his tweets, saying that in the “last few years” his views of America began to change.
He went on to say he “represents white privilege,” which is to indicate that white guilt may have gotten the better of him.
As for a countering point of view, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), a former Navy SEAL who lost his right eye during a combat tour in Afghanistan, took great exception to what Imboden envisions as “sacrifice.”
The lawmaker repeated what millions of Americans feel in repudiating the clearly left-wing athlete for “politicizing” sports.
“If you think this is ‘sacrifice’, you are delusional,” Crenshaw tweeted. “All you’ve done is haphazardly denounced the entirety of our country because of its imperfections. You and your fellow athletes have only succeeded in politicizing one of the few things that still unite us: sports.”
If you think this is “sacrifice”, you are delusional.
All you’ve done is haphazardly denounced the entirety of our country because of its imperfections.
You and your fellow athletes have only succeeded in politicizing one of the few things that still unite us: sports. https://t.co/Wpi9qdlQo3
— Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) August 12, 2019
Touche.
Imboden wasn’t the only U.S. athlete to protest America’s “injustices” during the Pan American Games.
Hammer thrower Gwen Berry, blue lipstick and all, raised her fist on Saturday at the end of the national anthem, after winning a gold medal — she too said the president was a motivating factor.
U.S. hammer thrower Gwen Berry raises her fist at the end of the national anthem at the Pan Am Games today. (h/t @sergeta) pic.twitter.com/gnBCEEDN1m
— Nick Zaccardi (@nzaccardi) August 11, 2019
“Somebody has to talk about the things that are too uncomfortable to talk about. Somebody has to stand for all of the injustices that are going on in America and a president who’s making it worse,” Berry told USA Today.
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Tom@bizpacreview.com
The longest-tenured writer at BizPac Review, Tom grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills.
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