One Athlete's Two Flags: Run This Up the Flagpole Esther J. Cepeda - Washington Post
go to original August 13, 2012

Manzano’s patriotic display was simply one athlete – from two cultures – basking in the joy of success on the world’s biggest sporting stage. (AP/Matt Slocum)

As soon as I saw that a Mexican-American runner who won a silver medal in the 1,500-meter race had been photographed holding both U.S. and Mexican flags, I thought, “Oh boy, cue the haters.”

Sure enough, despite 27-year-old Leo Manzano’s medal win last week - he’s the first American to medal in his category since 1968 - news accounts, blogs and social media went crazy over his two flags.

A sample of headlines: “USA Medalist Leo Manzano waves Mexican flag after silver win; Americans angry.” “American athlete under fire for carrying Mexican flag.” “Manzano wrapped in Olympic flag flap.”

Seriously? This is just as petty as last week’s “As the Olympics Turn”-style media coverage of the clowns who chose to focus on African-American gymnast Gabby Douglas’ hair instead of her two gold medals.

Here’s the scoop for anyone who hasn’t heard: There’s this thing called ethnic pride. By its very nature, it coincides with American pride. Sound exotic or confusing? It’s really not.

Ethnic pride is an innocent, perfectly all-American phenomenon where people who love the country with all their heart can still honor their roots through the chanting of international songs and slogans, displays of flags and native costumes, and the celebration of all manner of “homeland” traditions.

How about Oktoberfest? Surely the untold number of Americans who will participate in this popular fall celebration by drinking “bier,” eating sauerkraut and speaking “sie Deutsch” won’t be looked down upon for waving the German tri-color, right?

We could go around the world with that particular example, but instead why not consider this hypothetical: Would anyone be freaking out if a naturalized U.S. citizen who came to his adopted country at age 4 from, oh, let’s say, Ireland, wrapped himself in the American stars and stripes but then hoisted an Irish flag, too?

Not a chance.

The fact of the matter is that the only reason anyone is making a big deal about it - Manzano has been trashed six ways from Sunday as stupid, a disgrace, and offensive - is because parts of America don’t yet see Hispanics as “one of us.” In that thought system, “you’re either with us or against us” and daring to show ethnic pride in any context - whether it be a parade, festival or a moment of international celebration - clearly implies Hispanics are “against” the United States.

What a crock.

But due to our current low-brow, nativist-baiting, sound-bite-driven immigration “debate,” some people just can’t pass up the chance to say “Go back to Mexico.” This along with Manzano’s purported “flag flap” is galling and stupid. But take heart: It shall pass.

Someday Hispanic biculturalism will no longer be threatening to those who claim to be “true Americans.” It’ll be as simple to understand as the all-American images that spring to mind when you hear the phrase: “Kiss me, I’m Irish.”

Esther J. Cepeda writes for the Washington Post Writers Group, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20071. Send email to estherjcepeda@washpost.com.

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