Jan 29, 2018 2 min read

I was in attendance at the girls West Greene basketball game at Winchester Thurston High School in Pittsburgh Jan. 19.

Before the national anthem was played, a member of Winchester Thurston’s team read a statement: “This year, our team has chosen to kneel during the national anthem. We don’t believe we should stand for a song that refers to our country as the land of the free and home of the brave when racism, sexism and discrimination are prominent factors in our daily lives. We are all affected by inequality in the country.”

Winchester Thurston’s coach allowed her team to do it because “it’s what they believe in.” Maybe they should believe in going and living in another country besides the United States of America and see how that goes for them.

Jordan Watson, the West Greene coach, stated that his team was there to play basketball, and not to make a political statement. It was no big surprise that Winchester Thurston players would not be standing, but yet a statement had to be read before the game. Shame on Winchester Thurston’s team, parents, coaches and fans. You can’t really blame children under age 18 for decisions they make. It starts at home.

As stated in the newspaper, every West Greene player and fan stood. I’m proud to say I was born, raised and also raised my family in Greene County.

Judy Moninger

Sycamore