NEW YORK (YBH) – During the national anthem at the beginning of U.S. soccer matches this year one player will be standing apart from his teammates. American forward Jozy Altidore stands with his hands down during the national anthem. The rest of the U.S. national team keeps their hand on their heart in the traditional manner for sports teams representing the country.
Mr. Altidore’s parents came to the United States from Haiti 35 years ago. Speculation is ripe that Mr. Altidore’s weaker on field performances are due to the fact that his parents homeland was devastated by a terrible earthquake earlier this year. What isn’t clear is why Mr. Altidore chooses to ignore the national anthem. Mr. Altidore, a 20 year-old American striker, has spent his entire life living in the United States.
Mr. Altidore believes that his World Cup performance will help bring to light the plight of the people of Haiti saying, “My only message would be just to imagine how you would feel if it was your son or daughter that is … 5, 6, 7 years old and they’re living on the street. It’s tough for me to think about every day, which is why I’m happy I can have this opportunity and try to represent not only myself, but them as well.”
While advocating Haitian relief is quite honorable, it doesn’t answer why Mr. Altidore refuses to honor the American flag during the national anthem. Perhaps in 2014 he would prefer to play for Haiti’s national team? It is not out of the question as Mr. Altidore has admittedly been torn between his U.S. citizenship, even though he has spent his entire life here, and his Haitian heritage. We hope not, as Mr. Altidore is a talented player even with a less than stellar year of soccer under his belt.
Dual citizenship, or heritage, is only a real problem when someone is torn between the two. There is nothing irreconcilable between honoring the American national anthem and helping those in Haiti. Let’s hope Mr. Altidore understands that. We need his mind on scoring goals not making political statements.
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John Romano is the publisher and editor of Yes, But However!, a musician, a former political correspondent for BBC Radio London, and a serial web entrepreneur. Follow him on twitter: twitter.com/yesbuthowever or John Romano on Google+John Romano article archive.
