The Summer Olympics and Black patriotism

& Paris 2024 / Laurent Coust & by& Kellen Reeves, For The Minnesota Spokesman Recorder I love the Summer Olympics. Every four years, the world comes together to compete in every sport conceivable. From those games played in seemingly every village and hamlet on earth to those you can’t even find an AAU league for.& Regardless of the popularity of their chosen event, these athletes compete. They do so by loudly and proudly wearing the flags and colors of their home nations.& The Olympics are the one time in which national pride is displayed in a way that isn’t blatantly or dangerously political, although the 1972 Munich Games may be the exception.& Blacks gravitate towards the games, and rightfully so, for entertainment and as staunch patriots. It’s no secret that historically and currently, it is hard being Black in America. In fact, it’s hard being Black in most of the world. But Black Americans have a unique relationship with the nation we call home. & Chris Rock once said that for Black folks, America is like the uncle who paid for you to go to college… but abused you. Most of us are grateful for America. Most of us don’t...