‘merican individualism

I recently read a neat article by Tim Struby in ESPN’s May 31 issue that was about the growing soccer fandom in America. There are groups of people who travel around the world and buy tickets in certain sections to try and build an American presence at games and show support. The group tries to get USA fans started in chanting and singing, but often to no avail. The groups talk about how minimal USA support often is at games. Here’s the part I found especially interesting:

“While it’s understandable that Americans want to emulate the enthusiastic fans of soccer-crazed countries, it’s easy to see why all the singing and chanting hasn’t caught on. America doesn’t have a group culture; it’s a melting pot of individualism. At an MLB game or NFL game, fans share a team loyalty but not a unified cultural history.”

As I sit here watching the Blackhawks finally get a goal and immediately add a second, I almost wonder if this is the closest thing American sports has to singing. After each goal, the fans in Chicago sing in unison, but only from the prompt of the sound system. Other attempts that just aren’t enough for me include the traditional seventh inning stretch ode “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”

It all makes me wonder what needs to change if we want to create a group culture.

Most listened album in the month of May.

*breathes sigh of relief*

Finals week is over. Role credits on junior year of university.

This is exactly how I took all my finals.

An Education {4✭

Excellent.

Somehow this film captured it brilliantly.

When my teenagers come to me and bicker about how they hate school and it’s a total waste of time I might show them this film, then take them on an adventure, and then tell them to go back to school and read. and read what you love. I’ll tell them to read whatever makes them come alive. And you don’t find your favorite food by starving yourself.

…

Somewhere in the jazzy songs and sparkly dresses and dancing I was completely captivated, even though I knew it might be a mistake. This is one I’d like to own.

It was superbly satisfying.