Off the George Mason symbolism—I am going nuts waiting for more political action in sport. Like how about a demonstration? I sat through the Olympics waiting for the American snowboarder or skater who would rip off his jacket on the podium to show a t-shirt with the painted message, END THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ. Didn’t happen. Bode Miller’s dramatic failure on the ski slopes seemed political in character, especially in his zenned-out statements about not caring: I felt like he was flipping the bird at American nationalism, rebelling against all the sponsorship and media hype. But if it was political, it was utterly passive-aggressive. More is needed to rip American youth from its political doldrums. Where are Tommie Smith and John Carlos doing the black power salute on the podium in the ’68 Olympics?
Free speech is under attack—especially when it comes to Palestine.
From the censorship of student voices to the assassinations of journalists in Gaza, the cost of telling the truth about Palestine has never been higher. At Mondoweiss, we publish fearless reporting and critical analysis that others won’t touch—because we believe the public needs to know the truth about Palestine.
We’re funded by readers who believe in justice, transparency, and freedom of the press.
If you believe journalism should challenge power—not serve it—please make a donation today.
