Have you heard of Toni Smith?
Have you heard of Manhattanville College, in Purchase, N.Y.?
Have you heard of the First Amendment?
Smith, who recently completed her career on Manhattanville's women's basketball team, gave sports fans across the nation an introduction to all three. Before every game this season, the sociology major turned 180 degrees from the American flag during the playing of the national anthem.
Smith did not talk to the press during her crusade, but she released a 250-word statement citing her reasons for protesting.
"The government's priorities are not on bettering the quality of life for all of its people, but rather on expanding its own power," she said.
Her statement said she is also protesting "the inequalities that are embedded into the American system" and "the war America will soon be entering."
The question here is not whether she is right or wrong. The question is, "Is a basketball game an appropriate venue for civil disobedience?"
The fact is, I don't agree with what Smith said. I will, however, defend her right to say it.
The First Amendment allows for freedom of speech, and the Supreme Court has backed up that right as long as you don't infringe on someone else's rights in the process. Smith was not stepping on anyone else's liberties, so no one should step on hers.
If you disagree with Smith's actions, there is only one thing to do: exercise your right to free speech. This counter-protest is not my idea, and according to espn.com, it was done a number of times this season.
When Manhattanville visited Mount St. Mary's several weeks ago, Smith was booed at every opportunity, even when she was on the bench.
The Mount St. Mary's student government handed out flags to the 500-some fans attending the game. And after the final horn sounded, the crowded erupted into a chorus of "God Bless America."
When Manhattanville played at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on Feb. 11, more than 300 midshipmen chanted, "USA'' and "Leave our country.''
One war veteran even stormed the court of a Manhattanville game, armed with an American flag and a few choice words for Smith. The veteran was subsequently removed from the gym.
And even now, I am using the First Amendment's freedom of the press to write this column. And I am against Smith's protest as well.
To my knowledge, none of Smith's teammates or coaches has spoken out against her. If the coach did disagree with Smith, though, he could have exercised his freedom of speech and benched her.
But the bottom line is this: Smith had as much right to turn away from the flag as the fans had to voice their displeasure, like it or not.
Manhattanville president Richard Berman may have put it best when he spoke in regards to Smith's protest:
"It is irrelevant whether I, or anyone else, agree or disagree with Ms. Smith's position. Her right of expression is fundamental, and we support her."
Write to Jay at jdkenworthy@bsu.edu
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