Russia thought it could use Brittney Griner to divide us, but she turned the tables

Almost the moment Brittney Griner was arrested and accused of drug smuggling in Russia in 2022, the grumbling began on the other side of the Atlantic.

Americans were reminded that Griner refused to stand for the national anthem during Phoenix Mercury games in the season of 2020. As a Black, gay woman, she had dedicated that year of protest to the cause of social justice. She took a knee.

Now she needed her country to bring her home safely.

That was too rich for critics, who believed she had earned her just deserts – even if it meant serving a nine-year sentence for possessing less than a gram of hash oil.

Russia wanted Brittney Griner to stoke a culture war

When the Biden administration swapped a notorious Russian arms dealer for her release, the criticism only grew louder. Why did the White House bring Griner home and leave another U.S. prisoner, Paul Whelan, behind?

Whelan, a former Marine, police officer and a white man, had been held captive far longer and still remains in Russian captivity.

What’s the deal?

Russian hell: As we celebrate Brittney Griner's return, don't forget the Americans left behind in Russia

David Whelan, Paul’s twin brother, told me, “The Kremlin orchestrated a release that excluded Paul, and I think it was done on purpose, to create some of the culture war backlash subsequent to Ms. Griner’s release.

“It not only eroded some of what should have been universal support for an American regaining freedom, it caused people to use Paul as a cudgel against each other.”

Griner is now a powerful advocate for Whelan

That certainly worked for a time. But it has also evolved into something unexpected.

Griner, the Black, gay woman and social justice protester, has become one of the most powerful advocates for Whelan, the white man and former cop.

Immediately upon arriving home, she has worked to raise the profile of Whelan and other Americans in Russian prison on social media, in TV interviews and now in her new book, "Coming Home."

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On “Good Morning America,” Griner told Robin Roberts that she fully expected Whelan to fly home with her. But when she got on the plane, he wasn’t there: “When they closed the door, I was like, ‘Are you serious? You’re not going to let this man come home?’ ... If it was left up to me in that trade, I would have went and got Paul and brought him home.”

In her book, Griner said she has not been able to stop thinking about Whelan and says prayers for him: “Once home, I lingered over meals while thinking about Paul Whelan. He would’ve given anything to be in my place.”

Whelan's twin brother feels gratitude for Griner

“Today, fifty-seven Americans are as desperate as I once was,” she wrote with co-writer Michelle Burford. “Before my experience in Russia, I was largely oblivious to the deep grief of hostages and their families. I rarely heard about American detainees and had no idea there were dozens of them in at least fifteen countries. ...

“And then one February, over there became my here and now.”

Her overtures on behalf of Paul Whelan have not been overlooked by his family. They greatly appreciate them.

“Two things she did ... have measurably impacted Paul’s circumstances,” David Whelan told me. “If I was her, I would have immediately retreated to my private life. But as soon as she was back from Russia, she was on Instagram advocating for Paul.

“Her calls for people to support Paul made a huge difference. He was deluged with letters and cards in 2023 from people who had learned about his case for the first time in December 2022, from Ms. Griner, and wrote to him. His GoFundMe, which we use to buy prison supplies and medicine and pay for his medical care, doubled after her advocacy.

“To put it in perspective, Paul's GoFundMe will probably now carry us through supporting him until 2034 so long as the ruble remains in the tank. I don’t think that would have happened without Ms. Griner’s advocacy. I’m extraordinarily indebted to her for putting Paul’s case before her own mental health on her return.”

Brittney Griner wants to ensure we don't forget

The aftermath has not been easy for Griner.

In her book, she describes going through the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, struggling with the harsh treatment she experienced in Vladimir Putin’s gulag and not knowing whether she would ever return home.

What makes a martyr? Alexei Navalny shines a light on Vladimir Putin's evil tyranny.

U.S. prisoners still going through that ordeal need to know Americans care about them.

“The thing that people can do is to identify prisoners they are motivated to help and to do simple things like sending a postcard or letter," David Whelan said. "It is so incredibly important for the prisoners to not feel forgotten.”

One 6-foot-9-inch WNBA star, in particular, has dedicated herself to making sure they never do.

Phil Boas is a columnist for The Arizona Republic, where this column first published. Email him at [email protected]

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Russia wanted Brittney Griner to divide us, but she turned the tables