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Can The Olympics Truly Unite America?
Posted by jeffmccord • 8/10/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Tags: america, country, Games, life, olympics, politics, society, unite, usa
As I wrote on my blog, www.jeffmccord.org/why-the-olympics-unite-america/ , this country has never been so divided, in my 31 years of living here than we are right now. There's definitely a divide between the conservative right and the liberal left with a lot of us in the middle who feel being extreme one way or the other isn't the solution.
However, I feel the Olympics, which comes to us every 4 years, is the one time (albeit just for a few weeks) where every American (or other countryman) can come together and root for the same team. It's truly magical.
What are your thoughts? Do you feel more connected with your fellow Americans?
User Comments
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I think people know how to separate political ideology from the performances of athletes. Besides, I haven't noticed them wearing elephants and donkeys on their uniforms.
And have a look at some of the comments on threads started on opening night of the Beijing Olympics.-
I'm not sure my point was people not being able to separate athletes from important issues... more of my point being a nation finally "rallying" together for a common goal even though it may seem insignificant in the "big picture". Not sure there's been an event lately where all of America will be on the same side.
I've seen it before, and even if it's only for 2 weeks, it's nice to know it can bring people together.
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It's great that you're putting a positive spin on the Olympics, but sadly I doubt it will have much impact on unifying your countrymen. -
Nope. Peace as a result of sports? Nah.-
I'm actually agreeing with globalgirl. Stop the presses!
Sports are an expression of our suppressed tribal urges. The thrill of the hunt. Such barbaric urges can not bring about peace.
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I think any unification that does occur will be temporary.-
agreed!
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It will take more than just some Olympics to unite this country for good. -
Here's a question...is total unification a good thing?
While I see that there can be benefits to it, is a totally homogenized culture and country really the best option, or is the debate better for growth?-
Being united about everything is not a desirable or realistic goal. Changing the tone of our politics, on the other hand, would be a good thing.
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Shallow unions go out with the tide.
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No, because you'll ALWAYS have people like me who don't care about the Olympics or any other nationalist "My country has a bigger penis than your country!" crap.
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With all due respect to your penis size, you may not like the Olympics but there are millions of others who disagree with you.
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[With all due respect to your penis size, you may not like the Olympics but there are millions of others who disagree with you.]
Millions of others also voted for Bush. What's your point?
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I think it's kind of a strange and artificial sort of unification at best. We're all rooting for "our team", but in fact the team has absolutely nothing to do with the vast majority of us except that its members are among the hundreds of millions of other Americans whom we don't know--people who might have grown up 1500 miles away from us and never had a single experience or person in common with us. Why, exactly, do I want to see "our" athlete win over one sponsored by our Canadian neighbors or by some little underdog country half of us have never heard of? -
AMERICA??? OLYMPICS ???? eh, itz uniting me to my LCD screen ! -
The olympics is watched by billions of people. It has tremendous power to do good things.
I've learned a lot about China by just watching it a few days here. I missed a lot of stuff though.-
EXACTLY my point Mike... thank you!
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Um, no.
I never understood how individuals could actually feel any pride in the successful dreams of others just because they are from the same country.
Considering our athlete wear the most stat of the art "make you fast" clothing, and use the best training facilities in the world, when we win anything it's just another brick in the wall. Entertaining at times maybe, but certainly nothing to bond me with my countrymen.
I like to see underdogs win, and I appreciate the work the athletes do to get where they are but I don't for one minute think they did it for their country they justhappen to have been chosen to represent their country.-
[I like to see underdogs win, and I appreciate the work the athletes do to get where they are but I don't for one minute think they did it for their country they just happen to have been chosen to represent their country.]
Yeah, me too.
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I would be honored to be there for my country. I think 99% that are there in the games competing feel the same way. I am proud when our guys or girls win at events also. I think I speak for most people on this also.
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I think you're probably right, Mikeny, that you speak for most people on this--but can you explain why? What does that person representing the U.S. have to do with you except that an accident of birth placed him or her within a few thousand miles of you in the right direction?
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MadameX: That sounds strikingly similar to an argument I pose towards the zealous Christians when they ask me about my atheism.
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Similar how, Voodoo?
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I often ask people why they think the Bible is more accurate than science textbooks. Is it because you read the Bible first? Why worship the Christian god when there are thousands of other gods? *Adopt a nasally voice for this sentence:* Because it's the predominate religion of the region you were born in? Why not worship Shiva or Kali, or Zeus, or even Quetzalcoatl?
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So what it really boils down to, then, is "Have you thought about the reasons you believe what you believe?"?
That's probably relevant to absolutely everything in life. Unfortunately, the answer seems usually to be "no" or even "what do you mean?" -
I try to question everything, including my own motive for questioning everything. Sometimes, I second-guess myself and ponder for days about what the right answer is; other times, I reinforce my decision with logic.
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basketball at the olympics annoys me... unless it goes the same way as last time. -
Sit back and watch the gymnastics tonight and enjoy it. That is all I have to say on this.
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I'd rather have a chainsaw enema.
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Men's gymnastics has been proven to be the hardest sport on the face of the earth.
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I like the swimming and gymnastics. As to your question about the games uniting Americans, I would say that we already are United States, but in being united in spirit ... I cannot say. I would suppose we are rooting for our home teams. I find I want everyone to do their best, regardless of their nationality. But then, unlike VK I only watch here and there, so I would not use his extreme emphasis of distaste for the games.
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Its tough ask, and your bid for Chicago is likely to win, but has not been won yet, so its rather a long time to wait. You do get a feeling of uplifting within the country, however those that don't like sports will not of course agree with that. Here in UK, we are still celebrating Team GB's success in Beijing, and even our Soccer team won a big game last night. So we await more Ryder Cup glory with anticipation Shame Andy Murray didn't quite bring home the bacon.
I think the bigger divide comes when times get tough, credit crunch is hitting the whole world so the party in power gets the blame, but I don't suppose the opposition could stop it! We will be changing from Labour to Conservative here at the next election, it's not as close as it is in USA, Mr Brown is MILES behind in the polls. But we have similar problems with oil, and rising prices, and its going to be tough winter for a lot of people.
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