Chances are before last month, not many people had heard of Toni Smith and the Manhattanville College basketball program.

But in just the past few weeks, Smith, a 21-year-old sociology major and forward at the small Division III school in Purchase, N.Y., has been thrusted into the national limelight, and it hasn’t been for anything she has done on the court.

In protest of the United States’ pending war with Iraq, Smith decided to let her feelings show on the court by turning her back to the American flag during the playing of the national anthem. While it has been a very unpopular decision among opposing fans, who have routinely showed up to Manhattanville’s game waving miniature flags, Smith’s teammates have stood beside her.

This certainly isn’t the first time a political stand has been made in the sports’ arena. From Muhammad Ali’s refusal to be inducted to the Army in protest of the Vietnam War to Tommie Smith’s and John Carlos’ raising of their fists on the 1968 Olympic medal stand; athletes have made their political views shown on the national stage.

But Smith draws her biggest comparison from former Denver Nugget guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. In 1996, Abdul-Rauf, or Chris Jackson as he was known before his conversion to Islam, sat for more than 60 pregame renditions of the national anthem. When asked to explain his protest, Abdul-Rauf simply said he believed that Islam and nationalism didn’t mix. The NBA suspended Abdul-Rauf for one game, citing a guideline in the rulebook which requires players and coaches to stand in a “dignified posture” during the playing of the national anthem. The NBA reinstated Abdul-Rauf after he agreed to stand, but only to offer a silent prayer during the anthem’s playing.

While both protests were held during the national anthem, it’s easy to see that Abdul-Rauf’s had a religious tone, while Smith’s is purely political.

As someone who works in a profession which draws much of its power from the First Amendment, I can’t help but be a supporter of free speech. But while I don’t condone Smith for taking a stand against the U.S. government, I feel her choice of action is a little naïve.

There’s no question that Smith did this to gain fame or notoriety. Smith’s protest was meant to be simply a quiet, private expression to herself of her own thoughts, ideas and judgments. But by turning her back on the flag at a publically attended basketball game, Smith’s actions are far from private.

Most of my criticism of Smith isn’t what she’s saying, but how she’s doing it. When Abdul-Rauf refused to stand for the national anthem, he usually stayed in the locker room until the music had stopped playing before joining the floor. By doing this, Abdul-Rauf wasn’t inviting public attention as not many people would notice that he was even missing from the floor. It wasn’t until Abdul-Rauf decided to sit on the bench during the anthem that people actually began to take notice and question his motives.

On the other hand, Smith has lined up on the sidelines with her teammates and turned her back to the flag at every game. Even the most casual of fans not associated with Manhattanville notice Smith’s protest.

I have no problem with Smith protesting the pending war in Iraq — we all know hundreds of thousands of people around the United States already do. But turning your back on the flag? Never before has an athlete taken such a dramatic stand as literally turning its back to the flag. By turning her back, Smith is not only protesting the government, but she is also turning her back on everything this country is about. The flag is not just a symbol of the government, but a symbol of the people, policies and freedoms of this country.

But while I disagree with Smith’s actions, I won’t go as far as labeling her “unpatriotic” or “a traitor” as some other onlookers have decided to do.

I actually applaud Smith for actually caring enough to do someone unpopular in hopes of making a difference. I just wish she would have taken a different route.

Matt Duval is a junior in journalism and The Lantern sports editor. He can be reached at [email protected].