Who Do You Cheer For?
American’s are so fickle. Suddenly, we are all World Cup fans and consider getting up ungodly early in the morning to watch team USA “battle” Germany normal, when a few weeks ago, half the country couldn’t even tell you we had a soccer team. As soon as they lose, they will all go back into soccer oblivion. Why are we such fairweather fans? Is it the media? Do we really bore that easily? Are we that shallow? Sadly, for most of us, the answer is yes. Think about it, a few years ago, you were a social outcast if you didn’t like the Chicago Bulls. Once Michael Jordan “retired,” the torch was passed to Shaq and the Lakers. We’ll see how long that one lasts. Closer to home, when I first moved to C-town 6 years ago, you couldn’t beg, borrow or steal your way into Jacob’s Field (home of the Indians); it was the envy of the league for its great fans. Where are they now? Sure, the Indians suck, but where have all these “true fans” gone? It certainly hasn’t been to see the Cavs, Browns or Rockers because they all suck, too. Wait, that’s right, I know where they are; they’re at Firestone Country Club watching Tiger Woods play golf! Did anyone actually consider spending a beautiful Sunday indoors watching golf on television until that witch came along? His talent is amazing, that is no question, but can you really be a true fan when the only things you know about golf are the name Tiger Woods and the word bogey, even if you can’t define it? When is the last time you watched tennis when one of the Williams’ sister wasn’t on the court or Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi weren’t battling for bragging rights? I am beginning to think the only real fans left out there are NASCAR fans. Oops, that one got away too. When are we going to learn? We are all being manipulated like puppets on a string. Sometimes I wonder if any of us are actually fans of anything, or if we are just too afraid to admit we don’t care because the rest of the crowd might get us. The only people you can trust are the fans you have when you are down and out; unfortunately, they usually have a sickness or some sort of unhealthy obsession. I don’t have to be the last man standing, I just want to be the one who had the guts to stand up for what I believe in.
June 22nd, 2002 at 3:35 pm
I find Aimee’s comment about being a fan rather interesting, especially because she herself is an American. As a Canadian, I have done a lot of outsider-looking-in study on the Americans. Regardless of whether Americans are aware of it or not, they have a long history of isolationism. In other words, they don’t like to get involved in foreign affairs until they have to, and they only feel they have to if they think it will show the rest of the world how powerful their nation is. This has been shown many times throughout the American history. There is the Vietnam War, the Korean War, the Cold War, etc, etc, etc. With that said, it is not surprising that Americans are trying to get their chance in the spotlight in World Soccer.
Americans have an age old belief that they have to be the best at everything,a nd this dates as far back as post revolutionary days, when manifest destiny was born. With this vaguely pulsing through every American even now, they have to find somewhere else to conquer. Therefore, they feel the need to win the World Cup, show all of the other countries that they are a force to be reckoned with. Since there is not any other opportunity available at the moment for America to reconfim its dominance in the World, the World cup offers the perfect opportunity.
Also, it is not surprising to see how interested Americans have become in soccer, because of the so-called “war on terrorism” that they are trying to hold. As far back as Ancient Greece have governments been using entertainment to opiate masses and keep them from noticing the war they are waging and spending money on. This is exactly what is happeneing in the States, first with the Olympics, and now with. World Soccer. I mean, think about it. If people are focusing on what their team is doing, they won’t be as aware of the war going on, or the money being spent on it. it is a perfect scheme. so, rock on USA, as your government screws you over once again.
June 22nd, 2002 at 7:35 pm
‘napier’ has a point about American’s complacency,but I don’t think it’s the government screwing us. ( For once ! )
Soccer has been popular in other countries for years, it just took a while for U.S. to catch on. I think they’ve been fighting against adding it into their culture. I’ve always wondered why that is myself.
But, Napier, you also have to look at the popularity of “The Osbournes ‘, and ‘ American Idol’, to see that the shallow minded make the majority here. Most people want to be mindlessly entertained, and make fun of the ” below average ” intelligence of others.
Kind of like laughing at bums on the street, so to say.
I honestly can’t say why Americans have recently taken a liking to football, I was brought up in England, so I see the ‘ importance ‘ of it, but maybe it’s because Americans finally ‘ caught ‘ on ! ;o)