Gwen Berry says the US National Anthem is "disrespectful" to Black Americans as it contains an outdated reference to slaves.
Last weekend at the track and field trials for the Olympic games, the 32-year-old athlete turned away from the US flag while the national anthem played. At one point, she even concealed her face with a black "activist athlete" t-shirt.
In doing so, Berry made quite a name for herself in both conservative and liberal circles and has remained outspoken on matters pertaining to racial justice.
In an interview with Black News Channel on Tuesday, July 29, she said of some of the more unsavory lyrics of 'The Star-Spangled Banner': "If you know your history, you know the full song of the national anthem, the third paragraph speaks to slaves in America, our blood being slain... all over the floor."
The hammer thrower added: "It's disrespectful and it does not speak for Black Americans. It's obvious. There's no question."
The lyrics in question read: "And where is that band who so vauntingly swore, That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion. A home and a Country should leave us no more? Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's pollution.
"No refuge could save the hireling and slave. From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave, And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave. O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."
Berry went on to clarify: "I never said that I hated the country - never said that. All I said was that I respect my people enough to not stand or acknowledge something that disrespects them. I love my people, point blank, period."
She has received a great deal of flak from conservative commentators and lawmakers who have called into question her spot at the forthcoming Olympic Games, which would mean representing her country.
Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton criticized her protest, telling Fox News: "I don't think it's too much when athletes are competing to wear the Stars and Stripes - to compete under the Stars and Stripes in the Olympics - for them to simply honor that flag and our anthem on the medal stand."
He then called for the athlete to be removed from the Olympic team, saying: "If Ms. Berry is so embarrassed by America, then there’s no reason she needs to compete for our country. She should be removed from the Olympic team."
The Olympian has responded to her critics by suggesting on Twitter that they appear to be "obsessed" with her.
The White House, however, backed Berry's right to protest, according to press secretary Jen Psaki.
