Brittney Griner has played basketball in Russia for the last 7 years. She was recently arrested for having cannabis in her possession. Brittney carries a letter from her doctor who prescribed cannabis for pain. Possession of cannabis is a criminal offense in Russia. I find it interesting this is the first time Brittney was stopped and arrested for cannabis when entering the country. Since before the 2016 presidential election, the Russians have been waging a war in America. The Russians have and continue to successfully use social media to divide this county. Americans haven't been this divided since the Civil War. Yet, we keep falling victim to Russian's new and successful war against the U. S.
Because Brittney is black and gay, she is the perfect pawn for Russia to generate hate among Americans. Brittney is a public figure and known around the world for her skills with a basketball. After all, she is a two-time Olympic gold medalist. Yes, the WNBA players and fans are rallying for her release. With other U. S. servicemen and citizens in prisons around the world, some Americans are getting upset about the attention her case is getting. This doesn't mean that the other Americans detained are irrelevant. We need to get every American who is unlawfully detained home. The Russians continue causing more hate and discontent among Americans with fake news that is being spread on social media. I keep reading online how Brittney took a knee during the national anthem and that she hates America. People say she should be left in Russia to rot.
In 2020, Brittney and Brianna Turner, who also plays for the Phoenix Mercury, called for the WNBA to stop playing the national anthem at games. Brittney went on to say, "I don't mean any disrespect to our country. My dad was in Vietnam and a law officer for 30 years. I wanted to be a cop before basketball. I do have pride for my county. At the Olympics I understand, you're playing for your country." This statement was made after the NY Liberty and Seattle Storm players stayed off the court when the national anthem was played in support of Black Lives Matter. Brianna went on to explain that she doesn't think the national anthem belongs in sports. When the national anthem was deemed the national anthem, in 1931, black people didn't have rights at that point. The issue of the national anthem being played during sports was not a common place occurrence at sporting events prior to 1918 and has been debated over the years. Today at WNBA games, the players are not on the court when it is played. In America we are entitled to our opinions, and it is the right of every American to peacefully protest. It doesn't doesn't mean you hate your country.
Brittney is an American who has continually given back to the community. In 2017, she donated funds to a Phoenix LGBTQ non-profit that was victimized by arson. In 2020, while riding her ATV, she witnessed another ATV crash. Brittney jumped into action and pushed the ATV up and off the family and immediately took off one of her shirts to make tourniquets for two injured people. She put the most seriously injured person in her ATV and started a caravan to emergency help. During one season, every time she dunked a basketball a donation was made to a local animal shelter. She started Brittney's Heart and Sole when she saw the homeless walking the scalding Phoenix streets with no shoes. This organization is not just in her name, she is out on the streets meeting people, listening to their stories, offering encouragement and handing out shoes. Her teammates tell stories of how generous she is when they are on the road traveling. She takes the time when she sees homeless people on the street to stop, talk and buy them a meal. She is never too busy to meet a fan, sign an autograph or take a picture.
Not only does Brittney matter, what is happening to Brittney needs to matter to America.
My social media friends list has dwindled over the last few weeks. Russia is successful in the war against America. When will we wise up and be on America's side?
