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There is a lot of negative crap going on in this country. Crime is up, inflation is still a problem, supply chain issues continue to plague us, and the homeless situation is beyond tenable.
All of This Makes the Occcasional
Good News Even More Noteworthy.
As some readers will recall, I wrote about the Brittney Griner situation last year. She was the famous athlete, incarcerated in Russia, after being caught with cannabis at the Moscow airport. Pres. Biden ultimately arranged a prisoner swap, giving up a very notorious Russian arms dealer in exchange for her freedom, thus sparing her from serving her 9 year sentence.
At the time, certain critics pointed out that Griner, at her ball games, initially kneeled during the anthem and then refused to even come out of the locker room until after the anthem was over. She stated she was loved America but was protesting unequal treatment certain groups received in America. Her critics inferred that she should be left to rot in a Russian jail for disrespcting the flag and our national anthem.
I opined:
"Wouldn't it be wonderful if Griner were released and came back to our country, with a new, more realistic outlook, and was willing to place her hand on her heart for the national anthem?"
At the time, my opinion was criticized as being a little naive. Too much Pollyanna for certain readers. I was told that "people like her will always hate America." "They want to destroy the country and all it stands for." "Even if you fixed everything in America, Brittney and her ilk would find something new to complain about, even if they have to make it up."
Well, Lo and Behold! Stop the Presses!
Brittney Griner Has Had a Change of Heart!
At the start of the WNBA season, Griner no longer sought refuge in the locker room during the anthem. Griner was out on the court for the anthem, receiving cheers and applause from fans and her fellow players. The seven-time All-Star said hearing the national anthem before her game felt “different” after spending 10 months in a Russian prison.
She said;
“Just being able to hear my national anthem, see my flag, I definitely want to stand."
I respect anybody that has a change of heart, leading to better behavior. Many people claim she should have known to stand for the anthem before her incarceration. I agree, she should have known, but she didn't. Now she has greater insight and changed behavior. That's a win for everybody. The world is a better place now.
This poem has always inspired me.
All but blind
In his chambered hole,
Gropes for worms
The four-clawed mole.
All but blind
In the evening sky,
The hooded Bat
Twirls softly by.
All but blind
In the burning day,
The barn owl
Blunders on her way.
And blind as are
These three to me,
So blind to someone
I must be.
Rather than criticize Griner for having to go through her nearly year long incarceration to gain the basic insight to show respect for the flag and the anthem, we should ask ourelves: What great insight are we lacking? Do we have a similar blind spot?
Take care and BE HEALTHY!
CW Jasper
June 2023
©2023· Content is Property Created by CW Jasper
Very Good reminder that e all need to change when we learn - the purpose of education and knowledge is to improve ourselves which means change and grow with knowledge.
Regardless of her politics, Griner was a political pawn. I'm glad she is back home. It has been my experience that the people who love America most are people who have experienced oppression somewhere else, that is especially true of immigrants. I find it ironic that the "America First" people are opposed to "the huddled masses." If you ever want to hear about how great the USA is, talk to someone from somewhere else.