Olympic Hammer Thrower Calls Out ‘Obsessed’ Fox News After Anthem Activism
Gwen Berry is an Olympic hammer thrower for the U.S. team. She’s suddenly getting a lot of attention after she engaged in a peaceful, quiet protest by holding a shirt reading “activist athlete” over her head while the National Anthem played during Olympic trials.
Of course, athletes (particularly Black athletes) protesting for equality has been a thorny topic in American politics over recent years, with Colin Kaepernick standing out as a central figure. When the protests reach the levels of fires and destruction, the far-right claims to be fully supportive of protest as long as it’s peaceful — but as Berry demonstrated, even a peaceful protest that doesn’t hurt anyone offends them, too.
Fox News published a version of the story that covered Berry’s explanation, that she felt the anthem was played when it wasn’t expected, and reacted somewhat spontaneously, holding a t-shirt reading “activist athlete” over her head only after giving consideration to what the respectful response was, but in their tweet of the piece, they sensationalized “an athlete’s reaction to the anthem” and told readers they’d be “dumbfounded” — baiting in those who already have a problem with Black activism.
Berry responded to the tweet aptly.
F*** you @FoxNews https://t.co/gprz5s0989
— Gwen Berry OLY (@MzBerryThrows) June 27, 2021
She has continued to respond to haters who have attacked her on social media and in news, saying that they misrepresent her when they say she hates America, and inviting anyone who has a strong opinion on how an Olympic athlete should represent her country to work hard enough to become one and do it their own way. Berry amplified those who point out the irony of critics who have, in her words, “done nothing elite in their lives,” suggesting that third place in Olympic trials somehow makes her voice less valuable. She also called out the wishy-washy sentiments of those who say they support Black lives, but get upset at her protest.
Thank you! I never said I hated this country! People try to put words in my mouth but they can’t. That’s why I speak out. I LOVE MY PEOPLE. ✊🏾 https://t.co/fbKB5d9H2I
— Gwen Berry OLY (@MzBerryThrows) June 28, 2021
These comments really show that:
1.) people in American rally patriotism over basic morality
2.) Even after the murder of George Floyd and so many others; the commercials, statements, and phony sentiments regarding black lives were just a hoax
— Gwen Berry OLY (@MzBerryThrows) June 28, 2021
Whilst they are sitting at home having done nothing elite in their lives https://t.co/llFCjqOmvS
— Gwen Berry OLY (@MzBerryThrows) June 27, 2021
Finally, when Fox News published yet another segment, in which Texas Republican Dan Crenshaw is invited to express his (negative) views on her activism, Berry called them out on their obsession.
At this point, y’all are obsessed with me https://t.co/HBWCE28s7x
— Gwen Berry OLY (@MzBerryThrows) June 28, 2021
Next month, Gwen Berry will represent her nation in the Summer Olympic games, not because of her activism but because of her dedication and prowess — but that doesn’t mean she’s required to abandon her principles and deny what she stands for to do it.
What's Your Reaction?
