This morning I watched the Medal ceremony awarding Venus and Serena Williams the gold for their event. As the Star Spangled Banner played and the U.S. flag was raised up the flag pole, the Williams sisters casually held their bouquets of roses and giggled. They did not place their hands over their hearts or display pride in their nation by being solemn or shedding a tear because damn it, they are patriotic. Well, patriotism might be against their religion.
Venus and Serena are Jehovah's Witnesses and do not honor the American flag and probably don't know what patriotism feels like. I'm taking a guess on what a practicing Jehovah's Witness might think patriotism means. Is it dishonoring God? But I wonder if anyone gave them pointers on how to act when someone's just placed a gold medal around your neck and the National Anthem is playing.
It's the Olympics, people. You should know and honor the customs of your own country before going to another country and embarrassing us in front of the whole freakin' world. Thanks.
Update: The Lopez family of Fort Bend County is blogging from Beijing and will soon be in the spotlight as their Taekwondo event comes up this week.
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